With the emergence of newer metals in the wedding jewelry industry, more and more people have decided to shun traditional materials like gold and silver for tungsten or titanium. Tungsten carbide is a great choice for those who want a wedding ring that will stand up to the test of time. More affordable than gold but also stronger, tungsten offers a good blend of durability and elegance. When it comes to tungsten wedding bands with diamonds, there are a few things to know before ordering a ring.
In this article, you will find out more about tungsten, diamonds, the difference between silver gray and black tungsten wedding bands with diamonds, and more. Whether you want to buy mens tungsten rings with diamonds with a width of 8mm and wider or want to find more delicate womens tungsten wedding rings with diamonds, this guide will help you get a clearer image on what ring styles you can currently choose from.
What is tungsten carbide?
Tungsten carbide is a composite material that blends equal parts of tungsten and carbon atoms. Tungsten is a rare metal that appears naturally in the Earth’s crust alongside other materials or minerals, with a rarity estimated at around 1.5 parts per million. Making the composite material requires applying heat and pressure to the powdered tungsten carbide before adding a binder like cobalt or nickel. The resulting metal has an incredible hardness of 9-9.5. on the Mohs scale (diamonds are 10), while pure tungsten has only a 7.5 score.
Thanks to the exceptionally strong bonds between its atoms, tungsten carbide has the highest tensile strength among all metals and a melting point of 6192°F. Silver gray tungsten without any coating or plating is scratch-resistant and will never bend. This metal is also hypoallergenic, which means that people who are allergic to other metals can safely wear tungsten wedding rings. The density of tungsten makes these rings feel heavier on the finger, which some people love.
However, tungsten does have a few downsides. Though it doesn’t bend, it cracks under enough pressure. In case of an emergency, a tungsten ring can be cut off in with standard tools, though it may require a bit more pressure than a softer metal. Due to its strength, tungsten makes rings impossible to resize, whether they’re tungsten wedding bands with diamonds or simple tungsten rings. So when you buy a tungsten ring, make sure you know your ring size. Finally, black or gold plated tungsten will not be scratch-resistant, only silver gray tungsten will resist scratches.
A brief guide about diamonds
Everyone knows that diamonds’ weight (and value!) is measured in carats and that they are one of the hardest materials in the world, but not many people know much more about them beyond these facts.
While they score 10 (the highest) on the Mohs hardness scale, diamonds are not indestructible. In fact, you can completely shatter a diamond if you hit it with enough force in an angle that follows the stone’s cleavage pattern - the line that shows how the diamond originally crystallized. Tungsten wedding bands with diamonds offer a bit of extra protection from damage, as the diamonds are set within the metal and not exposed as they would be with a classic prong setting on an engagement ring.
With enough heat (1,292-1652 degrees Fahrenheit) and oxygen, diamonds can also be burned off into carbon dioxide. This means that they eventually disappear!
When buying diamonds, it’s best to follow the 4Cs of Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. In tungsten rings, the carat and cut of a diamond is not as important as they would be with an engagement ring. That’s because the diamonds are set in the metal and they are usually much smaller. Diamond clarity ranges from the highest rating of FL (flawless) to I3, while the color can range between the colorless D rating to Z, which is yellow or light brown. However, a silver gray or plated tungsten ring will complement both colorless or colored diamonds.
Finally, diamonds are often cheaper to buy online than in traditional brick-and-mortar stores. That’s because online shops can use their lower operating costs (no staff or property rental, for example) to reduce the price of their diamonds. Online stores usually list their diamonds directly from wholesalers, which lowers the price further.
Tungsten wedding bands with diamonds
Tungsten wedding bands with diamonds provide the best of two worlds: the impressive strength of tungsten carbide and the brilliance of diamonds. The natural gray color of tungsten also makes diamonds look even more glamorous, whether they are clear, colored, or black diamonds. However, tungsten rings with diamonds also come with black tungsten or gold plated tungsten options. Designs include simple polished rings with clear diamonds or gold plated and black tungsten wedding bands with diamonds. You can easily find rings with black or blue diamonds as well as polished tungsten rings with Koa wood inlay and a diamond on the center.
Apart from the color of the diamonds, grooms and brides-to-be can also select the color of tungsten, from gray to black or gold, and the finish, from polished to brushed matte. Silver gray tungsten is extremely resistant to scratches, but gold plated or black coatings will not be as scratch-resistant – something to keep in mind when selecting a wedding band.
Beveled, pipe cut, or stepped edges along with flat or domed styles also offer extra options when it comes to choosing the perfect tungsten wedding bands with diamonds.
Mens tungsten rings with diamonds
Modern and stylish, mens tungsten rings with diamonds are also creatively designed. While they can feature a more minimalist style with brushed silver tungsten with a single black diamond, these rings also come in more intricate designs.
For example, grooms-to-be can select between rings with Koa wood inlays, wedding bands with carbon fiber inlays with a blue diamond, tungsten wedding rings with multiple groove patterns and rows of black diamonds, or sophisticated rings with silver inlays and 9 channel set black diamonds.
Black tungsten wedding bands with diamonds can feature gold plating that adds a bold accent to make black diamonds stand out, or designs with a silver gray band that provides a bright backdrop to clear diamonds.
Womens tungsten wedding rings with diamonds
While not a traditional choice for women, tungsten has become more popular over the last few years with brides-to-be, especially as more feminine designs have become widely available. Womens tungsten wedding rings with diamonds offer a modern alternative to silver or gold.
Some rings have a polished finish and a narrower width of 4mm which instantly makes them look more delicate and elegant. Others have a width of 6mm but feature beveled edges that makes the rings look narrower on the finger. Likewise, a domed center combined with a brushed matte finish gives a more refined accent to a 6mm ring. Womens tungsten wedding rings with diamonds can feature clear, black or blue colored diamonds. All of these rings are usually also available in wider versions, providing a convenient solution to order matching tungsten wedding bands in a set.
