Tungsten rings are the fastest-growing category of jewellery right now. But with tungsten rings gaining popularity so recently, many of our customers have never owned one before and have questions about this clever material.
In this blog, we’ll cover all of the most common questions regarding tungsten rings. If you don’t see your question answered below, get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to assist you further!
1. Are Tungsten Carbide Rings Good?
Tungsten carbide rings aren’t just good, they’re genuinely excellent. These rings are known for their extreme scratch resistance and are one of the hardest materials used in jewellery. Tungsten scores between 8 and 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. Only diamond is harder.
But aside from toughness, tungsten carbide rings are known to retain their polished finish for years while requiring very minimal care. They’re highly resistant to corrosion and weather-related damage. And to top it off; they’re incredibly affordable compared to other metal types.
2. Are Tungsten Rings Conductive?
Tungsten is a metal, so it does conduct electricity, but tungsten carbide rings are less conductive than pure tungsten due to the binders used in their production.
Most tungsten rings contain carbon and other elements that slightly reduce electrical conductivity. However, they’re not fully non-conductive, so if you work in an industry where electrical safety is a concern, consider a silicone ring as an alternative.
3. Are Tungsten Rings Expensive?
Relative to other metals, tungsten rings aren’t expensive at all. In fact, this is one of their greatest strengths; as many gold and silver finished tungsten rings are indistinguishable from their solid gold and solid silver counterparts. The only difference is that tungsten rings cost about a tenth of the price.
4. Are Tungsten Rings Heavy?
Tungsten rings are heavy, but not overly so. For reference, tungsten is roughly the same weight as 24K gold. But as most gold rings are made of 18K or 14K, tungsten is considered slightly heavier than gold.
Many tungsten ring wearers appreciate this weightiness, as it feels substantial on the finger. This gives tungsten rings a solid, premium feel to them.
5. Are Tungsten Rings Safe?
Absolutely! Tungsten rings are hypoallergenic, making them a great option for those with metal sensitivities. Unlike some metals, tungsten doesn’t contain nickel or cobalt in high-quality rings, so there’s no risk of skin irritation.
Another common concern is emergency removal—while tungsten rings can’t be cut off like gold or silver, they can be safely cracked with vice-grip pliers, allowing for quick removal in medical situations.
6. Can a Tungsten Ring Be Engraved?
Tungsten can be engraved but not using standard methods. Because tungsten is so hard, tungsten rings need to be laser engraved. This creates a clean, precise, and permanent design.
The benefit of this is that you can still personalise your ring with initials, meaningful dates, or symbols, but the engraving won’t wear down over time like it might on softer metals.
7. Can a Tungsten Ring Be Repaired?
In most cases, damaged tungsten rings cannot be repaired like gold or silver can. Because of their extreme hardness, tungsten rings can’t be reshaped, resized, or soldered if they become damaged.
The good news is that instead of repairing your tungsten ring, we offer a lifetime guarantee that entitles you to a replacement should your ring have any issues while under warranty.
8. Can a Tungsten Ring Be Cut Off?
Yes! We’ve heard a myth that tungsten rings can’t be removed. But trust us, they absolutely can in an emergency. Unlike gold, which can be cut and bent, tungsten is too hard to cut through—but it can be safely cracked using vice grip pliers. Emergency responders and jewellers are trained to do this safely and without causing harm to your finger.
9. Can Tungsten Rings Be Resized?
Due to their extreme hardness, tungsten rings can’t be resized. Unlike gold or silver, which can be stretched or shrunk, tungsten is simply too rigid to be altered in any way. Because of this, it’s vital to get that all-important ring size correct from the very start.
Check out our range of ring sizing options for you to choose from. To make your decision even easier, we also offer 90-day exchanges on all non-engraved purchases in case of wrong sizing.
10. Can Tungsten Rings Break?
Tungsten rings can break. Don’t get us wrong, tungsten is incredibly hard—but it can crack under extreme pressure. Due to its hardness, tungsten doesn’t bend in the way that other metals do. So when exposed to enough force, it’s more likely to crack or shatter. We should stress that this sort of force isn’t the kind of thing you’ll have to worry about in day-to-day life.
11. Can You Get Tungsten Rings Wet?
Yes! Tungsten rings are highly water-resistant and won’t rust or corrode from exposure to water. An awesome feature of tungsten is that forms an oxidising layer around itself. This creates an imperceptible barrier between the actual metal and the world around it. This is what makes tungsten so resistant to water damage.
12. Can You Polish Tungsten Rings?
Tungsten rings don’t tarnish or fade like silver or gold, meaning they don’t require traditional polishing. However, if your ring starts looking dull, you can restore its shine with a soft cloth and mild soap. We suggest that you avoid abrasive polishing compounds, as tungsten’s hardness makes it resistant to conventional polishing methods.
For brushed or matte finishes, extra care is needed—over-polishing can alter the texture. Generally, a gentle wipe-down is all that’s required to keep your tungsten ring looking its best.
13. Do Tungsten Rings Rust?
Pure tungsten carbide rings do not rust. This is one of the great benefits of this fantastic ring material. However, lower-quality tungsten rings that contain cobalt as a binder can develop surface discolouration over time.
At ETRNL, we only use premium, cobalt-free tungsten carbide, ensuring that your ring remains rust-resistant and maintains its sleek, polished look for many years to come. We do still suggest that you wipe down your ring any time it is exposed to salt water or chlorinated water—just to be safe!
14. Do Tungsten Rings Tarnish?
No, tungsten rings do not tarnish like silver or gold. Tarnishing occurs when metals react with oxygen, sulfur, or moisture, leading to a dull or discoloured surface. You’ll typically find this more in softer metals like silver and copper, which oxidize over time.
Unlike these metals, tungsten carbide is highly resistant to oxidation and chemical reactions due to its unique composition. It’s ultra-dense structure prevents the metal from reacting to air or moisture exposure. This is just another reason why tungsten is such a great everyday ring material.
15. How Are Tungsten Rings Made?
The process behind manufacturing tungsten rings is fascinating. They don’t just come straight from a chunk of metal like gold or silver rings do. Instead, tungsten rings start out as a finely ground tungsten carbide powder (pure tungsten and carbon mixed together).
They’re then often combined with a binder, such as nickel, to create a super-strong composite. From here the mixture is put into a ring mould and then compressed under extreme pressure while being heated to over 1400ºC. This process is called sintering, which turns it into a dense, rock-hard material.
The ring is then shaped and polished to give it a particular finish. An interesting fact here is that unlike most rings, which are polished with wax, tungsten rings are polished with a special diamond polishing paste due to their hardness. Suffice it to say, some real craftsmanship goes into creating each and every tungsten ring.
16. How Long Do Tungsten Rings Last?
Honestly, we build every tungsten ring to last a lifetime—literally. Thanks to the extreme hardness of tungsten carbide, these rings simply don’t scratch tarnish, rust, or wear down like other ring materials do. Even with a brushed or polished finish, these rings last for years before needing upkeep.
17. How Much Does A Tungsten Ring Cost?
Tungsten rings are one of the best bang-for-your-buck options in jewellery. While they offer a premium, weighty feel and high durability, they’re far more affordable than traditional metals like gold or platinum.
For context, our range of tungsten rings sit between $130 and $370, depending on the design, finish, and any added features like gold plating or inlays. Compared to gold rings—which can regularly cost thousands—tungsten delivers all of the luxury looks without the luxury price tag.
If you want a ring that’s stylish, durable, and budget-friendly, tungsten is pretty unbeatable.
Unmatched Durability & Style: Discover Our Tungsten Rings Collection
At ETRNL, we strive to give you the best selection of tungsten rings that can be found anywhere. We combine high-quality craftsmanship, stylish designs, and unbeatable durability to bring you a tungsten ring collection that genuinely cannot be matched. On top of that, we offer free shipping on orders over $60, a 90-day return and exchange policy, plus the option to engrave your tungsten ring for a personal touch.
Ready to choose the ring that will stay with you for a lifetime? Shop at ETRNL.
