Information About Tungsten

Tungsten (W) is a durable, strong metal used to make rings and other jewelry. The word tungsten originates from the Swedish word meaning heavy stone. It is a steel-gray material with the highest strength of any known metal, and it’s only one point lower than diamond on the Mohrs Hardness Scale.

The main source of W is China, and as supply decreases, demand and prices for W may start to rise. There is general confusion as to whether W is toxic or not. Tungsten actually exists in powder form. When it is in powder form, small particles float in the air and can cause serious problems, including fibrosis, when inhaled.

The pressurized W in most rings is not dangerous to human health. When it is combined with nickel, it can cause allergic reactions in those who have an allergy.

W was discovered by Fausto and Juan Elhuyar in 1783; when mixed with an alloy it is called tungsten carbide (TC); TC rings do not bend or crush fingers in the event of an accident; the pressure on a W ring causes it to shatter; rings made of TC cannot be resized and they can be engraved.

W itself is a steel-gray color and when applied to a ring, it can be plated on top of the ring to create a variety of colors. Black is one of the more popular colors in W rings, and can also be plated to obtain beautiful gold or bright blue details.

Other colors are available, such as yellow gold, platinum shades, or rose gold. W is used not only in jewelry, but also in the filaments of electric bulbs, and in the heating elements of televisions and electric furnaces.

When a ring is mixed with cobalt, it can combine with oils from the skin and cause oxidation. Tarnish on TC rings cannot be removed as easily as on sterling silver jewelry.

It needs to be baked and shaped at a temperature of over 6200 degrees Fahrenheit. After the ring is shaped, it is ground and polished using a diamond tool. When nickel is used as an alloy, the ring will not be oxidized or scratched.

When nickel is used as an alloy, the ring will not be oxidized or scratched. The price of the ring will also vary depending on the design of the ring itself. Tungsten rings with an Argyle pattern, brick pattern, Celtic knot, or pinstripe are more expensive, and engraving can also add to the cost of the ring.

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