Tungsten is an element. It its pure form, it is a soft light grey or whitish metal. It has a number of practical uses, both in its pure form and as an alloy. However, tungsten is typically not found in pure form; it is instead processed from minerals, usually wolframite or scheelite. Although making a completely positive identification of a mineral is difficult without professional experience, these particular minerals have many properties that anyone can examine to determine whether a specimen is likely one of them.

Instructions

1
Examine the mineral. Wolframite ranges from black or greyish black to brown, is opaque and is slightly metallic. Scheelite is more varied; it can be tan to dark brown, golden to pale yellow, brownish yellow, reddish yellow, greenish, colorless or white. Its crystals can be transparent or opaque, and they have a shiny or glassy appearance.

2
Rub the mineral against a streak plate, a piece of plain white unglazed porcelain. Wolframite leaves a reddish brown color on a streak plate. Scheelite makes a white streak, which may be difficult to see.

3
Scratch the mineral with the steel nail, which has a Mohs hardness of about 5. (The Mohs scale measures the hardness of minerals relative to one another.) Wolframite and sheelite each have a Mohs hardness of 4.5, so the nail will leave a mark on either.

4
Examine the other minerals that may have formed on your specimen. Wolframite often develops with topaz and quartz. Scheelite often develops with tremolite, tourmaline, topaz, vesuvianite, cassiterite, fluorite, diopside and apatite. In addition, wolframite and scheelite are often found together.

5
Measure the crystal's specific gravity -- its weight in comparison with its volume. This measurement can be taken in many ways, but all require special equipment or calculations for accuracy. However, this is a good way to identify minerals. The specific gravity of wolframite is 7.40 grams per cubic centimeter. The specific gravity of scheelite is 6.01 grams per cubic centimeter. If you do not have access to such equipment, heft the sample in your palm. Both minerals should feel fairly heavy for their size.

6
Place a magnet on a mineral thought to be wolframite. Wolframite contains iron, making it slightly metallic.

7
Shine a UV light on a mineral thought to be scheelite. Scheelite fluoresces bright white-blue under a UV light if it is very pure, and creamy yellow if it contains molybdenum.

8
Drip a small amount of diluted hydrochloric acid on the specimen. If it is scheelite, the acid will decompose it into a yellow powder.

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Until the 1990s, titanium and tungsten were not on the market for general consumers, but since then have gained in popularity. When shopping for wedding bands today, there are many choices including various carats of white and yellow gold, platinum and silver. Titanium and tungsten are often confused since they are both hard metals, but there are many ways in which these two metals are distinct.

Hardness
Though titanium and tungsten are both very hard and durable metals, tungsten alloy is harder. The hardest form of tungsten carbide is harder than titanium alloys and can only be scratched by diamonds. Their different hardness makes a difference in engraving and resizing. Titanium can be resized and engraved, whereas tungsten is too hard for this.

Color
Tungsten carbide is usually offered in a black anodization coat only, but titanium is made in either silver/gray or black.

Durability and Allergic Properties
Many people may believe in the myth that titanium jewelry is indestructible, but though it is durable, it is by no means indestructible, and the same goes for tungsten. If a titanium wedding band should undergo extreme pressure such as being smashed in the door of a car, it could bend out of shape. A tungsten wedding band may not withstand being smashed under extreme pressure either, but instead of bending it would shatter into many pieces, which can make it a hazard.

As far as allergies to these metals, titanium is safe, but cobalt when used in tungsten carbide jewelry can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Pricing and Weight
Tungsten wedding bands are usually more expensive than titanium because of the manufacturing process. The equipment for this process is more expensive because the tungsten carbide needs to be in a vacuum or hydrogen environment that is at least 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

When browsing for wedding bands, keep in mind too that titanium, due to its lower density, is lighter than stainless steel, and tungsten carbide is much heavier than stainless steel.

Origins
According to Gopal S. Uphadhyaya, author of "Cemented Tungsten Carbides: Production, Properties and Testing," cemented carbides (hard metals) were introduced to the market in 1927 in Germany. The majority of the world's tungsten reserves are in China (approximately 85 percent). But there are also some smaller reserves in Korea, Russia and the state of Colorado in the United States. Almost half of the world's titanium comes from South Africa, according to the U.S Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries. The other half comes mostly from Australia, Canada and the Ukraine.

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When it is time to begin shopping for wedding rings, you and your soon-to-be spouse want it to be perfect. These are the rings you will wear for the rest of your lives, and there are so many options to choose from. In more traditional settings, you have gold, platinum and white gold. These options are often pricey and easily damaged. More recently, titanium and tungsten carbide have become more popular options for couples looking for a more long-lasting effect. With the more durable tungsten carbide ring, couples have seen some safety issues that may not be seen with more traditional options.

Emergency Situations
The tungsten carbide ring cannot be removed in an emergency situation with traditional ring cutters. It can be removed by emergency personnel by using a tool more similar to a vice grip. In emergency situations when the ring must be removed for the purposes of treatment or stopping further injury from occurring, it must be cracked off the wearer’s finger. This would destroy the ring by breaking the ring into pieces and may cause injury to the wearer. The tungsten carbide ring registers between 8 and 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. Because of these factors, it also cannot be resized in a traditional manner.

Skin Reactions
Tungsten carbide rings can cause an allergic reaction on the skin. These rings are made by combining the tungsten with another metal. Most often, the other metal is a nickel or cobalt blend. This hardens the ring and prevents many of the scratches that are common on softer metals. This is important because the cobalt blend can cause allergic reactions when worn for long periods of time. The skin cells and sweat can cause oxidation, and skin and ring discoloration. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to make sure that you check the metal blend. Cobalt is a little less expensive, but nickel is entirely hypoallergenic and does not suffer from oxidation.

Injury from Accidents
Tungsten carbide rings can be caught in industrial settings. It is rarely advisable to wear jewelry in warehouse, automotive, construction or manufacturing industries; however, tungsten carbide rings are particularly dangerous. Many pieces of jewelry will bend or break when pressure is put on them from machines or other areas. If the pulling occurs or the ring becomes caught, the ring will not break and may cause further injury to the person involved.

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When selecting a wedding band, carefully consider the metal used. Although wedding rings are traditionally made from gold, they can also be made from platinum, titanium, stainless steel and tungsten. A tungsten wedding band offers beauty, durability and affordability.

Identification
Tungsten wedding bands are made from a combination of tungsten metal and Carbide powder, which is heated to more than 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Although it is sturdy, it is also quite heavy.

Strength
According to the Perry Olsen website: “Tungsten jewelry is 4 times harder than titanium jewelry.” The website goes on to explain that a tungsten wedding band is scratch-proof and nearly impossible to destroy.

Appearance
Tungsten carbide naturally displays a smooth, shiny appearance. For added brilliance, it can be plated with gold for a two-tone effect or decorated with gemstones.

Care
Tungsten metal does not react with oxygen, so a tungsten band will never become dull, discolored or tarnished. Smudges can be wiped away with a soft cloth. Tungsten wedding bands should never be cleaned with harsh chemicals.

Cost
Tungsten carbide wedding rings are considerably less expensive than platinum and gold wedding bands. Moreover, they require little care and maintenance.

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Gold, platinum, stainless steel, titanium and tungsten carbide are some of the most popular materials used to create wedding bands. Tungsten carbide, a synthetic material, is one of the world's hardest materials. There are many advantages that tungsten carbide rings offer over rings made out of other materials. Tungsten carbide is formed when certain levels of carbon and tungsten are combined. Tungsten carbide rings can be associated with higher price tags simply because of high production costs. Tungsten carbide must be heated to temperatures exceeding 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit to be able to form the metal into ring form.

Gold
Gold is a very popular precious metal used in the creation of rings and wedding bands. Tungsten carbide is harder than gold. While gold offers a hardness rating of "3" on the Moh's metal hardness scale, tungsten carbide offers a "9" hardness rating out of 10. Gold is more ductile than tungsten carbide. Ductility refers to a material's ability to bend under pressure. Gold will bend and warp under pressure, unlike tungsten carbide, which does not bend under pressure. Tungsten carbide rings shatter under pressure. This property might be very attractive to a consumer who is concerned with a ring holding its shape. Tungsten carbide rings are generally cheaper than gold rings.

Platinum
Many rings and wedding bands are constructed out of platinum, which is also a precious metal. While platinum is harder than silver and gold, tungsten carbide is much harder than platinum. Platinum only offers a maximum hardness rating of around "4" on the Moh's hardness scale. Platinum is also very ductile; a ring made out of platinum will bend under high pressures. Platinum rings are some of the most expensive rings on the market, they are usually much more expensive than tungsten carbide rings.

Stainless Steel
Many rings are made from durable stainless steel. Stainless steel is one of the harder metals available but it is still not harder than tungsten carbide. Stainless steel offers a hardness value of "6" on the Moh's scale of hardness. Stainless steel is also more ductile than tungsten carbide. It might take quite a bit of pressure, but a stainless steel ring will still bend rather than shatter. Tungsten carbide rings are about 90 percent heavier than stainless steel rings. This might make it a more attractive choice for consumers in the market for a heavier ring. Stainless steel rings are usually relatively cheap, tungsten carbide rings are generally more expensive than stainless steel rings.

Titanium
Titanium is one of the toughest, hardest and most durable metals. Titanium is even a little harder than stainless steel ("6" hardness rating) but it is not harder than tungsten carbide. Just like with silver, gold, platinum and stainless steel, titanium is more ductile than tungsten carbide. Stainless steel rings are around 43 percent heavier than titanium rings, which mean tungsten carbide rings are considerably heavier than titanium rings. Basic titanium rings are linked with price tags that are similar to tungsten carbide ring price tags.

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Tungsten carbide is formed by the union of tungsten and carbon. This metal is considered to be one of the hardest and most durable of all metals. Tungsten carbide has applications in industries such as mining, drilling and the military.

Facts
Tungsten carbide is known for its hardness and high melting point. On the Mohs scale for testing hardness, tungsten carbide receives a rating of nine, surpassed only by diamonds, which have a hardness of 10. This hardness makes tungsten carbide very scratch-resistant. The melting point of tungsten carbide is around 2,600 degrees Celsius. By itself, tungsten carbide is not a naturally occurring material, it is only produced by combining the elements of tungsten and carbon.

Uses
Cutting tools for drilling, mining and construction often incorporate the use of tungsten carbide. These are undoubtedly the biggest markets for tungsten carbide, accounting for around 60 percent of its use. The use of this material in jewelry is becoming popular. Everything from rings to necklaces can be fashioned out of tungsten carbide. Tungsten carbide is also used on the tips of trekking poles and as spikes on snowmobile equipment. It is also used in ball point pens to align the roller ball with ink. Filaments from light bulbs are made out of tungsten because of its resistance to heat.

Military
Tungsten carbide is used in the creations of some weapons' ammunition. Armor-piercing ammunition is manufactured from tungsten carbide.

Production
China, Russia and Korea are all major producers of tungsten, the primary material needed for tungsten carbide. Large reserves of tungsten can be found in certain countries such as Bolivia, Canada and the United States. Today, around 30,000 tons of tungsten carbide are produced annually throughout the world. Only 10 tons per year were being manufactured in the 1930's when it was first gaining widespread use.

History
Tungsten itself was discovered in the later 18th century, however, widespread use of tungsten carbide did not begin until the early 1920's. More useful applications were discovered in the 1930's when tungsten carbide was used in the milling and cutting of cast iron.

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Shoppers who are looking to buy real gold may unfortunately purchase tungsten gold, or fake gold, by accident. Fake tungsten gold bars are cheap substitutes for the real thing.

Background
Tungsten gold is considered the Ancient Metal of Kings. Tungsten is also called “the heavy stone.”

Pricing
While gold is priced in the tens of thousands per pound, tungsten costs less than $100 per pound. Charging the real gold price for tungsten gold leads to a huge profit.

Hardfacing

Tungsten gold is scratch-resistant and lightweight. Per cubic centimeter, it has a density of 19.25 grams at room temperature. At liquid density, it is 17.6 grams per cubic centimeter.

Determining Type of Gold
It’s difficult for the average person to quickly spot tungsten gold. However, those who are experienced in the gold industry can find ways to determine if the gold is fake or not.

Purity of Other Metals
Silver and platinum tend to be pure, since the materials are often melted down for making cell phones and catalytic converters.

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Black tungsten is a popular material for wedding bands. It is one of the hardest alloys available, often made of titanium and nickel as well as tungsten. A ring made of tungsten will not bend, scratch or break. Tungsten is ideal for those who don't want a flashy, shiny band, and it is very easy to care for. Many tungsten rings are polished by the manufacturer, and because of the hardness of the metal, polished tungsten will remain polished indefinitely.

Instructions

1

Clean your tungsten jewelry with a soft toothbrush and liquid soap whenever it seems to have blemishes. Tungsten can only be scratched by diamond or the mineral corundum, according to Titanium Jewelry. However, it can pick up materials and debris from things it rubs against.

2

Avoid using chemicals to clean your ring, and do not put it in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. These things can cause spotting.

3

Use a polishing cloth every so often if your black tungsten ring has a sterling silver inlay. The cloth will not harm the tungsten, and it will clean the silver effectively.

4

Look out for oxidation spots on black tungsten that do not go away when you clean it. If you see these spots, it means your ring contains cobalt, which reacts negatively with the human body. There is nothing you can do to avoid these oxidation spots, besides not wearing the ring. Always check that a tungsten ring does not contain cobalt.

Tips & Warnings

Rinse the soap off well to prevent itching before you put your tungsten ring back on.

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Tungsten, a metal with the atomic number 74 on the periodic table of elements, occurs naturally in rocks such as wolframite, scheelite, huebnertie and ferberite. Uses of tungsten include the filaments of electric lamps, electron and television tubes, spacecraft and high-temperature projects, heating elements for electrical furnaces and many other applications, as tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal.

Instructions

1
Decide which tungsten product is best for your needs. Tungsten can be found in its raw form, in the form of heat-treated alloys, or mixed with other metals. Tungsten is extracted from minerals, which is a difficult process, so it is much easier to purchase tungsten from a reputable dealer than to manufacture or extract it yourself. The uses of tungsten vary depending on its form; for example, tungsten and copper mixes are often used in engines and electrical wiring, while tungsten alloys have been used in cannon shells and grenades.

2
Purchase tungsten from companies with inventories of metal products in the United States and other countries such as the United Kingdom. Companies include the Midwest Tungsten Service, which offers tungsten wire, alloys and raw metal to interested buyers. Eagle Alloys Corporation also offers raw tungsten metal, tungsten alloys and tungsten mixed with other metals, such as copper. Tungsten can be purchased online or from on-site companies who keep tungsten products in stock.

3
Compare prices of tungsten before ordering to ensure you are getting a good deal. If possible, compare the prices of local companies who sell tungsten with online companies. Once you decide upon the amount of the order, find out if there are any discounts for ordering a certain amount before purchasing.

4
Purchase the tungsten and use.

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Praxis talks with cellular service providers to address conflict in Congo

Everence

GOSHEN, Ind. — Praxis Mutual Funds, advised by Everence Capital Management, is working to end violence in the conflict minerals industry.

Praxis is a leading faith-based, socially responsible family of mutual funds. Everence, the stewardship agency of Mennonite Church USA, provides financial services to Anabaptists and others.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, four minerals fuel illicit trade, civil war and forced labor — including child labor.

Tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold are critical for many common electronics products such as computers and cellphones. They are also known as “conflict minerals” for their central connection to some of the worst violence in the world.

Praxis is talking with major cellular service providers in the U.S. about the use of conflict minerals in cell phones. In an effort to end the conflict minerals industry, these discussions include talks about how the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010 — specifically, section 1502 on Conflict Minerals — can help companies find new ways to do business while also caring for global neighbors. This legislation requires companies to trace and disclose possible exposure to conflict minerals.

In April, Praxis staff attended a conflict minerals supply chain conference held by the Global e-Sustainability Initiative and the Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition in Philadelphia. Participants learned how companies are addressing the issue, listened to reports about developments in Congo and heard updates on conflict mineral legislation.

The Securities and Exchange Commission, tasked with writing the regulations for section 1502, sought commentary. Praxis and others from the social and sustainable investment community provided input during this process. After two years of developing rules to govern implementation of section 1502, the SEC released regulations in August.

Praxis believes the rules are fair and will help address a humanitarian crisis in the Congo. Praxis is calling for the legislation’s full implementation in the face of escalating violence in eastern Congo.

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