Wedding Bands: Fragile Or Fake?

Wedding bands are traditionally made from precious metals like gold, platinum, and palladium. However, alternative metals such as tungsten, ceramic, titanium, and cobalt have become increasingly popular choices for wedding rings. While these alternative metals offer advantages like durability, scratch resistance, and affordability, they are more brittle and prone to shattering compared to traditional precious metals.

Tungsten and ceramic wedding bands, in particular, are known for their hardness, which makes them highly scratch-resistant. However, this hardness also makes them more brittle, and they are likely to shatter when subjected to significant force or pressure. In contrast, gold bands are softer and more malleable, so they tend to bend rather than break.

For individuals with active lifestyles or those who work with their hands, choosing the right wedding band material is crucial. While tungsten and ceramic rings offer scratch resistance, their brittleness poses a safety concern. In an emergency, a ring made from a precious metal like gold can be easily cut off, whereas a tungsten or ceramic ring would need to be shattered with a vice grip, specialised scissors, or a diamond-coated disc.

Therefore, when selecting a wedding band, it is essential to consider not only the appearance and durability of the metal but also its safety implications.

Tungsten rings are brittle and can shatter

Although tungsten is one of the hardest metals, it is also quite brittle. This is because the harder a material is, the more brittle it becomes. This makes tungsten best used in combination with other metals to form an alloy. An example of this is tungsten carbide, the alloy used to make tungsten wedding bands.

Yes, you can. While tungsten carbide rings are hard and scratch-resistant, they can shatter or break. This is because of tungsten carbide's two properties: its low-impact strength and high compressive strength.

Impact Strength

Impact strength is the property of a metal that shows how much force it can withstand before it can break or shatter. While tungsten may be a hard metal, it may not exhibit much impact strength. The hardness of tungsten carbide means it lacks impact strength, so it can easily fracture or break when it encounters a powerful force.

Compressive Strength

Compressive strength is the property to withstand vertical forces that can crush the metal. Metals that resist compression end up becoming brittle because of molecular structure. So while tungsten carbide rings may resist compression, they are also considered brittle because of this particular property.

Lack of Malleability

Unlike other wedding bands made from precious metals, like gold bands, even a premium tungsten ring isn’t malleable. Gold can bend upon impact while tungsten cannot. This also adds to the tendency of tungsten carbide rings to break or shatter.

Although tungsten carbide is a very hard metal, it can be broken by exerting force repeatedly. In one experiment, dropping a tungsten ring from a first-floor window was enough to make it fracture. This demonstrates that, in terms of impact strength, tungsten carbide rings don't have much to offer.

Despite their brittleness, tungsten rings are a popular choice for wedding bands. This is because they are affordable, durable, and scratch-resistant. They are also hypoallergenic and available in a number of colours, styles, and inlays.

Ceramic rings are brittle and can shatter

Ceramic rings are a popular choice for wedding bands due to their stylish, lightweight, and durable nature. They are made from a combination of ceramic powder, zirconium, and titanium, resulting in a harder material than titanium. While ceramic rings are highly scratch-resistant, they are also more brittle than metal rings. This means that they are more prone to cracking and shattering compared to metal rings.

The hardness of ceramic rings is comparable to that of tungsten carbide rings, which are known for their strength and scratch resistance. However, ceramics are much lighter in weight. This lightweight trait makes ceramic rings a comfortable option for both men and women. They are also hypoallergenic, non-metallic, and less conductive than metal jewelry, making them a suitable choice for individuals who work with sensitive equipment.

Although ceramic rings are highly scratch-resistant, they are not immune to chipping and cracking. Their hardness makes them more brittle, and they can shatter when subjected to extreme force or impact. For example, if a ceramic ring is dropped or smashed against a hard surface, it may crack or shatter. This is because ceramics have irregularly distributed pores, and the larger the pore, the easier it is to break.

In an emergency, such as a medical situation or if the ring is stuck on the finger, ceramic rings cannot be cut off like some metal rings. Instead, they need to be "cracked off" using a vice grip or similar tool. This involves clamping the outside of the band with the vice grip and then tightening the grip until the ring breaks. While this method is faster and easier than cutting off a ring, it results in the ring being shattered and unable to be repaired.

Overall, while ceramic rings offer advantages such as scratch resistance, lightweight, and durability, they are more brittle than metal rings and can shatter under certain conditions. Therefore, individuals who work with their hands or are concerned about potential injuries from their wedding bands may want to consider alternative materials that are less prone to shattering.

Titanium rings are hard to cut off

While titanium rings are popular as lightweight and less expensive alternatives to gold wedding bands, they are very hard to cut off. In fact, they are perhaps the most challenging of the cuttable metals to remove. In an emergency, specialised equipment is required to cut off a titanium ring safely. This often means a diamond-coated, high-quality disc or a tempered steel blade.

A standard ring cutter can be used to cut through titanium, but the process is not easy. The lower jaw of the cutter slides between the ring and finger, and the circular saw is turned by a cordless power driver to cut through the ring. However, due to the hardness of titanium, it may be easier to make two cuts (one on each side of the ring) rather than trying to spread it. This can be done with a power ring cutter, which will cut through even the strongest aircraft-grade titanium rings in less than five minutes without heat or discomfort.

If you are looking for a wedding band that can be easily removed in an emergency, titanium may not be the best choice. Softer metals such as gold, silver, or platinum can be cut off with a simple steel blade, while harder metals like tungsten or ceramic are more likely to shatter under pressure and will need to be cracked with vice grip locking pliers.

It is important to consider the safety implications of your choice of wedding band. While no one intends to cut their wedding ring, accidents do happen, and it is essential to be prepared for any emergency situations that may arise.

Gold rings are soft and easy to scratch

Gold's softness also means that it is more malleable than other metals, so it will bend rather than break. This is in contrast to harder metals like tungsten and ceramics, which are more scratch-resistant but are also more brittle and prone to shattering when dropped or smashed against a hard surface.

While some people may be concerned about the scratches on their gold rings, others embrace these imperfections as a sign of their ring's unique journey and story. Over time, the scratches and scuffs on a gold ring will blend together, creating a soft sheen.

To minimise scratching, it is recommended to take off your gold ring before engaging in activities such as going to the gym, carrying out housework, or doing any manual labour. Additionally, giving your ring a rub with a polishing cloth or cleaning it with warm water, washing-up liquid, and a soft toothbrush can help to keep it looking its best.

Platinum rings are expensive

Platinum rings are considered expensive for several reasons. Firstly, platinum is denser than gold, making it heavier. As precious metals are priced by weight, the higher density of platinum means that more of the metal is required to create jewellery, resulting in higher prices.

Secondly, platinum is rarer than gold. There are fewer platinum mines globally, with only 160 tons of platinum sourced annually compared to approximately 1500 tons of gold. This lower supply contributes to the higher cost of platinum.

Additionally, platinum is harder than gold, making it more challenging to work with. Platinum jewellery typically contains 95% pure platinum, with only 5% of other elements, whereas gold jewellery often contains a lower percentage of pure gold, such as 58.5% or 75%, with the remainder consisting of other substances to increase its hardness.

Platinum is also valued for its durability and strength. It is one of the hardest and most durable metals for jewellery, making it less prone to scratches and wear and tear. This durability ensures that platinum jewellery can last for generations and is ideal for holding precious stones securely.

Furthermore, platinum is hypoallergenic, making it suitable for individuals with sensitive skin or metal allergies. Platinum, at 95% purity, is one of the purest precious metals available, reducing the likelihood of allergic reactions.

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