We think so! It all depends on your lifestyle and what you're looking for from your wedding ring. Tungsten has great scratch resistance and hardness, but this also means it has brittle properties - so if you're on the heavy handed or clumsy side, Tungsten might not be the best material for you. This might seem like a downside, but it's also a safety feature! If your ring were to get caught in anything, it will break and free your hand, which is much better than the alternative! Tungsten is also one of our heaviest materials, so if you want a substantial feel to your wedding ring with a gunmetal grey tone, it's a great choice.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TUNGSTEN WEDDING RINGS
what even is tungsten?
Tungsten in its raw form is a hard steel-grey metal found mainly in China, Vietnam and Russia. However, there is also a large deposit on the edge of Dartmoor in the UK! Most of the mined Tungsten is used in the production of hard materials, most-commonly as Tungsten Carbide cutting tools, due to it's high melting point and hard-wearing properties. Most households will have Tungsten elements in light bulbs or as heating elements in toasters.
tungsten ring aftercare
With the highest tensile strength, highest melting point and highest thermal conductivity of all our metals, Tungsten is seriously hard - nearly three times harder than Titanium and ten times harder than 18ct gold! It is one of our heaviest rings and has a stormy dark grey colour. Known as the 'forever polished' ring, it won't lose it's finish.
Due to Tungsten’s high tensile strength, specialist diamond-tipped tools are required to cut off in an emergency and care must be taken when coming into contact with delicate surfaces. Tungsten's extreme strength means it is hard wearing, however it is brittle and can be damaged if dropped on a hard surface, or receives a knock. We would also not advise wearing Tungsten whilst operating heavy machinery or at high temperatures, such as welding.
tungsten wedding ring faqs
IS TUNGSTEN A GOOD METAL FOR A WEDDING RING?
how hard or scratch-resistant are tungsten rings?
Tungsten wedding rings are incredibly tough, and the most scratch resistant metal in our offering. They'll withstand the daily scuffs and scratches that traditional metals won't, so if scratch resistance is on the top of your list, Tungsten is where it's at. It's hardness does however give Tungsten brittle properties, which is important to consider if you think your ring could be dropped or knocked.
can tungsten rings be resized?
Unfortunately no! Once it's made, that's it. Don't worry though, all of our Tungsten wedding rings can be exchanged within 30 days, as long as it hasn't been personalised with engraving and it's returned in pristine condition. If you're not sure which ring size to order, you can order a ring sizer here or choose 'Send me a ring sizer' on the dropdown menu when you add your ring to cart.
do tungsten rings tarnish, rust, or fade?
Short answer - nope! Tungsten won't tarnish, it won't rust, and unlike our youthful looks, it won't fade.
are tungsten rings hypoallergenic/safe for sensitive skin?
Our Tungsten wedding rings are made from Grade 1 Tungsten, so for the majority of people it won't cause any reaction and is perfectly safe for sensitive skin! It does contain trace amounts of nickel, so if your skin is acutely sensitive or you have a severe nickel allergy, there is a chance of a reaction. Check our our Titanium and Tantalum ranges for more hypoallergenic options! Our Stainless Steel, Damascus, Cobalt and Black Zirconium rings have also been independently tested and are approved hypoallergenic by AnchorCert. Explore our full Hypoallergenic Wedding Rings collection here.
The main culprit for reactions when you're new to the ring wearing game is actually contact dermatitis! Make sure when you wash your hands you're drying them thoroughly under your ring, and remove it when you're exercising or doing any other sweat-inducing activity.
can tungsten rings break or crack?
Due to their extreme hardness, yes they can. If Tungsten rings are dropped or impacted, this can cause cracks or breakage - we recommend switching to a silicone ring when there's more risk of impact, or if you're on the more heavy handed side, consider a different material for your wedding ring.
how do i clean and care for a tungsten ring?
Tungsten wedding rings are super low maintenance, so you shouldn't need to clean it all that often. When you do, all you need is some lukewarm soapy water and a soft cloth! Give it a soak for a few minutes and pat it dry with a soft cloth, and hey presto! Clean as a whistle. For extra vigorous cleaning you can also give it a once over with a soft bristled toothbrush.
what is the difference between tungsten and your other metals?
Tungsten is heavyweight, gunmetal grey and has great scratch resistance! It's one of our heaviest metals, similar to tantalum and comparatively heavier than Stainless Steel, Damascus, Precious Metals, and Black Zirconium. Titanium is super lightweight so it's on the opposite end of the spectrum. Tungsten is also a darker tone than our other un-coated metals, with more grey colouring than silver like stainless steel and titanium. Tantalum is a similar dark tone but with a blue undertone rather than grey. For more technical specs and comparisons, visit our Ultimate Guide.
can tungsten rings be engraved?
Absolutely! They can be engraved with up to 30 characters, and because we're just all round good eggs, we've given you three whole fonts to choose from. You can view your engraving in each font style when you're selecting engraving on our product pages! We can also engrave small images/emojis, so if you have something particular in mind, pop us a message and we'll let you know if we can engrave it for you.
*Just a heads up - our laser tech has Elvish PTSD so please be gentle with her
How heavy are tungsten rings?
Out of all of our metals, Tungsten is one of the heaviest. If you're looking for a substantial feel, Tungsten or Tantalum are strong contenders.
how long will a tungsten wedding ring last?
Your Tungsten wedding ring will last a lifetime if you take good care of it (and your fingers stay the same size)! Tungsten is incredibly durable and strong, but should still be treated with care as it is brittle and can crack/break if dropped or struck. Tungsten rings can't be resized, so if your fingers change over time you may need to replace it for a smaller or larger size (usually larger cos, aging).
are your tungsten rings plated?
Our Tungsten rings are not plated, they're as naked as the day they were born.
are tungsten rings affordable compared to traditional precious metals?
Yes! It's all relative, but if you're looking for an affordable wedding ring Tungsten is definitely a great option. It's one of our lowest price point metals, followed by stainless and damascus steel, titanium and black zirconium, and tantalum.
how do you remove a tungsten ring in an emergency or it gets stuck on your finger?
Tungsten is incredibly strong, but if you ever needed to remove it in an emergency, give it a strong hit and it should crack/break and free your hand easily! If your ring won't come off because it's too tight and you've tried all the youtube hacks, you might need to have it cut off using specialist tools.
OUR DESIGNS
For a more traditional ring, look no further than our Ruskin Green ring. With a highly polished finish inside and out, this style really shows off Tungsten’s bright lustrous, deep grey finish! Alternatively, our Crookes Valley ring features two polished, bevelled edges with a brushed centre on the outside and a polished inside for comfort.
For those who want to stand out from the crowd, our Rivelin Valley ring is a firm favourite in any metal. We think you’ll agree, in Tungsten this hammered effect style is a sparkling sensation!