What is the difference between a tungsten wedding band and a tungsten carbide wedding ring? Although both come from the same main catalyst which is tungsten, there are still several differences between the two. Given below are some of the differences between a tungsten wedding band and a tungsten carbide wedding ring.

Toughness

Tungsten wedding band

· Because tungsten is considered to be one of the toughest metals around, wedding rings made from tungsten are known for their durability and toughness.

· Tungsten is considered to be the best alternative to gold and platinum.

· It is highly resistant to a number of scratches, particularly denting.

· Though tough, a tungsten wedding band is still vulnerable to some scratches.

Tungsten carbide wedding ring

· Because of the addition of carbon alloy to tungsten, tungsten carbide is tougher than pure tungsten.

· It is highly resistant to any kind of scratches and denting except from diamond cutters.

· It can hold its mirror-like shine for years.

Because of its toughness, jewelers find it difficult to repair when fractured. Sometimes, this leads to replacement with a new one.

Finish

Tungsten wedding band

· Tungsten rings do not need any polishing, which is especially useful in designs with a brushed finish.

· Though tough, they are still vulnerable to scratches caused by other metallic objects.

Tungsten carbide wedding ring

· Because of the carbon alloy, tungsten wedding rings develop a glossy black hue which is buffed to a mirror-like finish.

· The finish is highly resistant to scratches and scuffs, holding its mirror-like shine for years.

Hypoallergenic

Tungsten wedding band

· Tungsten is also known for its hypoallergenic composition which makes it popular as a wedding ring.

Tungsten carbide wedding ring

· Because of its tungsten composition, tungsten carbide is also popular for its hypoallergenic composition.

· There are some reports saying that the cobalt binder in these rings cause unwanted reactions between the cobalt and the natural oils on human skin.

· Skin oils cause the cobalt to leach from the material.

· Because of cobalt, it is said to cause possible irritation of the skin and permanent staining of the jewelry itself.

· To address this issue, many manufacturers now claim their jewelry to be "cobalt free". This is achieved by replacing the cobalt with nickel as a binder.

Summary

Tungsten alone can be used as a wedding ring. It has features that makes it suitable for use as a wedding ring. Although it is tougher than other metals, it is still not tough enough to escape the beatings of daily use. Tungsten carbide improved this particular trait by offering a tougher composition along with luxurious features such as permanent mirror-like shine and glossy black pigmentation.