What is the Strongest Metal for a Men’s Wedding Ring?
When it comes to choosing your wedding band, durability and strength is probably high on your list of priorities. Especially if you are a man whose lifestyle and work are likely to put your ring to the test.
Find out which metals will stand the test of time, and which are the strongest and most durable. We have picked 5 of the strongest metals used to make rings so you can work out what metal would be the best for you.
Supremely Strong:
One of the strongest metals on the planet, men’s rings made with tungsten carbide are phenomenally strong and virtually indestructible.
The very essence of tungsten is summed up by its name – Tungsten comes from the Swedish words “tung sten” meaning “heavy stone”. Tungsten is almighty strong. It is about 5 times harder than steel and 3 times harder than titanium and cobalt chrome, and around 10 times harder than 18 karat gold.
Being so strong, a tungsten ring is extremely tough and durable.
Exceptional Scratch Resistance:
A ring made of tungsten carbide is one that will not bend or become out of shape. It is highly resistant to scratches. A metal can only be scratched by a material that is harder than itself – since there is not much harder than tungsten apart from diamond, diamonds are about the only thing that could scratch your tungsten ring!
Creative Designs:
Tungsten rings come in all different styles, ranging from traditional men’s wedding bands to creative and contemporary designs.
While tungsten is naturally a silver / grey colour, tungsten rings come in a range of colours including silver, black, gold, rose gold, and blue. This is achieved through a process called ion plating. This is where the surface is covered with atomic sized energetic particles in a vacuum which leaves a hard coating of compound materials in different colours.
There are many tungsten carbide rings available that have an inlay of a different material such as abalone shell, wood, or antler bone. In these rings, the tungsten provides the ring with extreme strength and durability, while the inlay provides a one of a kind uniqueness.
Free From Rust and Corrosion:
When it comes to rusting and corrosion, your tungsten ring will be not be affected. Metals rust due to air and moisture levels. Tungsten itself is resistant to rusting, corrosion, and tarnishing. This means it will keep its shine and lustre for a lifetime.
However, you need to be sure that tungsten is not alloyed with a metal that is inclined to rust and corrode – such as industrial tungsten might be alloyed with cobalt which can corrode and rust. Look out for tungsten rings that are high quality and jewellery grade.
Also, tungsten rings should be kept away from chlorine and strong cleaning products.
Sturdy and Solid:
Some men love this about tungsten rings, while other men may choose a different metal because of it. Being so strong, tungsten is a heavy metal. You will notice that your tungsten ring feels substantial and solid. This makes the ring feel significant and gives off a sense of importance. On the other hand, especially for men less keen to wear a ring, another lighter metal such as titanium might be a better choice.
Overall:
Tungsten carbide rings are a superb choice for any man, but particularly for men who work with their hands. There is no need to take the ring off while you are at work, or when exercising, this is a ring built to last and one that will have your back on every occasion.
Titanium is not only strong, tough, hardwearing, and durable. The jewel in the crown is that titanium is also remarkably lightweight. Indeed, titanium has the highest strength to weight ratio of any known element.
Remarkably Strong and Durable:
A ring made of titanium will not bend, crack, or become out of shape. This is an incredibly durable and robust ring that will stand the test of time. It is well suited for men who work with their hands.
A ring made with titanium is much more durable and long lasting than a similar ring made with either gold, silver, or platinum.
Lightweight:
As strong as an ox, but as light as a feather. Titanium rings are exceptionally comfortable to wear and are absolutely ideal for the man who isn’t that keen on wearing jewellery. Titanium rings are so light that you will very soon forget that you are even wearing a ring.
Excellent Scratch Resistance:
Titanium has extremely good scratch resistance but is in no way scratch proof. This is because although titanium is incredibly strong, it is not incredibly hard. It is much harder that gold, silver, or platinum, but no where near as hard as tungsten carbide. For example, on the Mohs scale of hardness, titanium ranks at 6.5. Compare this to tungsten which on the Mohs scale of hardness, ranks at 9.
So, whereas tungsten is very unlikely to get scratched, titanium rings can.
However, scratches on titanium rings tend to be shallow and on the surface meaning that they can be buffed out. In contrast, rings made with gold, silver, or platinum are not as hard, so that scratches tend to be deeper and much more difficult to buff away.
No risk of rust, corrosion, or tarnishing:
Since titanium is inert and non-reactive to virtually all chemicals, there is no risk of your titanium ring rusting, corroding, or tarnishing.
You can wear your titanium ring in the pool, or the ocean plus keep it on while in the shower, or even washing the dishes!
Unique and Stunning Titanium Ring Designs:
Naturally silver in colour, titanium rings are available in a wide range of colours as well as styles. Because titanium is a reactive metal, it is anodized in different colours by electrolysis or thermal treatment. Choose from silver, black, gold, rose gold, or blue titanium rings. Or go for a titanium ring with an inlay of a different material such as natural wood, antler, or abalone shell for a sensational and unique look.
Overall:
Whether you are looking for a men’s wedding band, engagement ring, promise, or fashion, or statement ring, a titanium ring is a solid choice. It will withstand a whole load of grit, grind, and action without showing any signs of wear and tear. This strong ring will stand the test of time, looking utterly fabulous all the while.
With no risk of tarnishing, or rusting, there are a lot of outstanding men’s titanium rings to choose from.
Ceramic Rings
Men’s rings made with ceramic are increasing in popularity. And it’s no wonder, ceramic rings have a lot to offer. Now forget clay, ceramic rings are actually made from titanium carbide. This is essentially a combination of carbon and titanium atoms that are formed in temperatures above 1800 degrees Celsius. The resulting ceramic makes a tremendous ring that is both strong and durable, scratch resistant, and lightweight.
Ceramic rings are remarkably hard which means that much like tungsten carbide, they are virtually scratch resistant. The lustre and shine of a ceramic ring is long lasting and will stay looking as good as new for a lifetime.
Another plus point is the fact that ceramic rings are not brittle. This means that they have extreme resistance to breaking and cracking.
This sounds like the perfect choice in ring material so let’s find out a little more …..
Almighty Strong:
Ceramic rings are both phenomenally strong and durable. If you are a man who works with his hands, or simply plays hard, the ceramic ring may be the one for you. This strong ring is one that you can rely on.
Just as a point of comparison, ceramic scores 7 on the Mohs scale, whereas tungsten carbide scores 9.
Extreme Scratch Resistance:
Being a hard material, ceramic rings are virtually scratch resistant. Ceramic can only be scratched by a material harder than itself – being so hard, it cannot be scratched by much apart from diamonds and tungsten carbide.
In contrast to tungsten rings which are plated, ceramic is not plated. This means that the colour of the ring is the same throughout the entire ring – and not just on the surface. So, if you were to scratch the ring, there is no difference in colour making the scratch difficult to see or notice.
Comfortable and lightweight:
Ceramic rings are notably lightweight. This does not reflect any weakness – ceramic is incredibly tough yet is still as light as anything. If you prefer something heftier with a more robust feel, you may want to choose a metal like tungsten carbide.
Getting Your Ceramic Ring Wet:
Ceramic rings can get wet, so no need to take it off while washing your hands, or in the shower. However, harsh chemicals such as cleaning detergents, chlorine, or saltwater can spoil the lustre and shine of a ceramic ring. So when cleaning, or swimming, it would be wise to leave your ceramic ring at home and out of the way.
Overall:
Ceramic rings are a great alternative to more traditional ring metals such as gold, silver, and platinum. Like tungsten and titanium, ceramic rings are both durable, strong, and long lasting. One of the best advantages of a ceramic ring is its extreme scratch resistance. Like titanium, ceramic rings are also noticeably lightweight.
Palladium Rings
Palladium is a precious metal that is similar in appearance to platinum. Jewellery is only a tiny proportion of the use’s palladium is put to. Most of the supplies of palladium are used in the automobile and technology sectors.
Durable and Hard:
Palladium rings are hardwearing and tough. Palladium is rated as 5 on the Mohs scale. This is not as hard as tungsten, titanium, or ceramic, but still hard enough to earn the description of tough, and still harder than 14 karat gold.
Overall:
Palladium makes a great choice for a men’s ring, especially if your priority is strong, durable, and a precious metal. However, the availability and choices of palladium rings are very restricted. There are not many palladium rings out there to choose from although they are available in a variety of finishes (such as brushed, highly polished, hammered, matte, and textured).
Stainless Steel Rings
Another enduring metal for your men’s ring. Stainless steel rings are free from corrosion and tarnishing and have excellent scratch resistance. Stainless steel rings are made to last.
Stainless steel is also a comparatively light metal so makes for a ring that is light and comfortable to wear.
One of the main drawbacks of stainless-steel rings is their current availability. These are not commonly available and so designs and choices are limited.
It is also important to note that stainless steel rings are very sensitive to chlorine. If you are a swimmer, you will either need to take off your stainless-steel ring for your pool session, or choose a ring made with a different metal (such as titanium that is not affected by chlorine and a great choice for swimmers – or hot tub frequenters for that matter).
General Care for all Ring Metals
Regardless of the metal you choose, the following tips will help you take care of your ring so that you can keep it as pristine as possible.
- Soak your ring in warm water or warm water with a little washing up liquid to get rid of any build up of dirt and grime. Just 15 minutes will be fine – or you can leave overnight.
- Use a very soft toothbrush (a baby toothbrush is ideal) to scrub the surface and inside of the ring.
- Use a jewellery polishing cloth to keep your ring lustrous, shining, and bright.
- Remove your ring before using harsh chemicals or swimming. The exception being titanium which is okay to wear while swimming.
Overall
We have looked at the strongest possible metals for your men’s ring – tungsten carbide, titanium, ceramic, palladium, and stainless steel. Each are a robust choice that will stand the test of time. What is best is down to a matter of your own priorities.
Not only are these metals durable and long lasting, these metals are also much more affordable than the more traditional precious metals such as gold, platinum, or silver.
Enjoy your search for the ultimate men’s ring.
FAQs
Tungsten carbide is one of the strongest materials for men’s wedding rings, being about five times harder than steel. It’s incredibly durable, highly resistant to scratches, and maintains its shape without bending. Its exceptional strength makes it suitable for those who want a robust, long-lasting ring.
Titanium is renowned for its high strength-to-weight ratio, making it a strong yet lightweight option for wedding rings. It’s durable, doesn’t bend or crack easily, and is comfortable for daily wear, especially for those not used to wearing jewelry. Its lightweight nature makes it an excellent choice for practical, everyday use.
Ceramic rings, made from titanium carbide, offer a combination of strength, durability, and scratch resistance. They’re hard and maintain their luster over time, making them a practical choice for wedding bands. Ceramic rings are also lightweight, providing comfort alongside their robust properties.
Palladium, a precious metal, presents a strong and durable option for wedding rings. While it’s not as hard as tungsten or titanium, it’s still tougher than traditional gold. Palladium rings offer a balance between strength and the classic appeal of precious metals, making them a unique choice.
Stainless steel is a strong, corrosion-resistant option for men’s wedding rings. It offers good scratch resistance and longevity. While it’s lighter than some other metals like tungsten, it’s still durable. However, stainless steel is sensitive to chlorine, so it’s not ideal for swimmers or those frequently exposed to chlorinated water.
