What is Tungsten Rings and Should I Buy It? from freemexy's blog
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In recent years, tungsten has become one of the most popular metals for wedding bands. It is a stylish, affordable choice for modern wedding band designs, with excellent wearability. However, not many people know what tungsten is or whether it suits their purposes. Here we break down the facts, pros, cons and myths of tungsten so you can decide if this is the right metal for you.
Tungsten, also known as wolfram, is a chemical element found on the periodic table. It gets its name from a Swedish phrase meaning ‘heavy stone’, indicative of the metal’s weight and strength. Tungsten is often described using superlatives. Here are some:
Tungsten vs. Tungsten Carbide
Although often used interchangeably, there are differences between these two terms. Tungsten in its pure form cannot be used in jewelry. Instead, it is formed into a metal, consisting of approximately 85% tungsten and 15% carbon, nickel or cobalt which is known as tungsten carbide.
Because tungsten is very brittle, mixing it with carbon reduces this characteristic, making the metal more durable and easier to work with. The nickel or cobalt acts as a binder, holding the metal together and making it possible to shape it.
Tungsten carbide with a nickel binder is considered top quality and ideal for wedding bands. However, tungsten carbide with cobalt as a binder is not recommended for jewelry as the cobalt, which tends to react with body oils, can cause skin irritations and staining.
As we’ve just mentioned, tungsten carbide contains carbon. Tungsten without carbon is just a steel ring, with a Mohs of 7.5. It can still get scratched and damaged. However, when carbon is added into the mix to create carbide, the resulting metal becomes extremely tough and durable.
In recent years, tungsten has become one of the most popular metals for wedding bands. It is a stylish, affordable choice for modern wedding band designs, with excellent wearability. However, not many people know what tungsten is or whether it suits their purposes. Here we break down the facts, pros, cons and myths of tungsten so you can decide if this is the right metal for you.
Tungsten, also known as wolfram, is a chemical element found on the periodic table. It gets its name from a Swedish phrase meaning ‘heavy stone’, indicative of the metal’s weight and strength. Tungsten is often described using superlatives. Here are some:
Tungsten vs. Tungsten Carbide
Although often used interchangeably, there are differences between these two terms. Tungsten in its pure form cannot be used in jewelry. Instead, it is formed into a metal, consisting of approximately 85% tungsten and 15% carbon, nickel or cobalt which is known as tungsten carbide.
Because tungsten is very brittle, mixing it with carbon reduces this characteristic, making the metal more durable and easier to work with. The nickel or cobalt acts as a binder, holding the metal together and making it possible to shape it.
Tungsten carbide with a nickel binder is considered top quality and ideal for wedding bands. However, tungsten carbide with cobalt as a binder is not recommended for jewelry as the cobalt, which tends to react with body oils, can cause skin irritations and staining.
As we’ve just mentioned, tungsten carbide contains carbon. Tungsten without carbon is just a steel ring, with a Mohs of 7.5. It can still get scratched and damaged. However, when carbon is added into the mix to create carbide, the resulting metal becomes extremely tough and durable.
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