How Long do Tungsten Rings Last?

If you've ever wondered how durable a tungsten ring really is, you've come to the right place. Keep reading to find out how remarkably strong and long-lasting tungsten rings can be. Tungsten, which means “heavy stone” in Swedish, is an exceptional material prized for its durability, making it a popular choice for active lifestyles. Tungsten's strength comes from its inherent hardness- making it the second hardest material on earth, next to the diamond.

We reinforce our tungsten carbide rings with nickel, which helps to bond the carbon and tungsten together, translating to a ring that resists scratches, abrasions, and everyday wear and tear. With proper care, a tungsten ring from Jewelry by Johan can last a lifetime.

Properties of Tungsten Rings

We believe the ring you choose, whether for your wedding day or an anniversary celebration, should be a true reflection of your partnership – an element that is unique, long-lasting, and a perfect fit for years to come. Tungsten is an exceptional match for many due to its:

• Unmatched Hardness: Tungsten carbide boasts a staggering 9 to 9.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, surpassed only by diamonds. This translates to a ring that laughs in the face of everyday scratches and abrasions, ensuring its pristine luster for years to come.

• Superior Strength: Beyond hardness, tungsten carbide offers incredible structural strength. Unlike softer metals that bend or warp, a tungsten carbide ring maintains its perfect form, a testament to your unwavering commitment.

• Chemical Inertness: Unlike some precious metals, tungsten carbide is remarkably non-reactive. This means it won't tarnish or corrode when exposed to air, water, sweat, or even the pH level of your skin. Your ring will retain its brilliance for a lifetime of worry-free wear.

The Perfect Blend: Our tungsten carbide rings aren't just pure tungsten. They're meticulously crafted with a precise blend of tungsten and carbon, along with nickel for additional binding strength. This combination maximizes the material's natural hardness and resilience, creating a ring that's built to last.

Strength and Hardness

Tungsten truly shines when it comes to durability, ranking between 9 and 9.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness (just below diamonds which rank at 10). This system ranks a variety of minerals, including metals and gemstones, based on their scratch resistance.

Tungsten Carbide: Where Hardness meets Resilience

Tungsten carbide is a shining example of powerful partnerships. This incredibly hard material, formed by combining tungsten with carbon (and in some cases Nickel), boasts a Mohs hardness rating of around 9 to 9.5 (depending on the alloy blend). Its exceptional physical properties, including high Young's modulus (a measure of stiffness) and high melting point, are a strong sign of its outstanding durability.

Durability Comparison: How Tungsten Stacks Up

Now, let's compare tungsten rings to other popular materials:

• Gold (Mohs hardness: 2.5-3): Gold rings are beautiful but soft, susceptible to scratches and dents.

• Platinum (Mohs hardness: 4-4.5): While slightly more durable than gold, platinum rings can still scratch.

• Titanium (Mohs hardness: 6-7): Titanium offers better scratch resistance than gold and platinum, but tungsten surpasses it.

Cost-effectiveness: Tungsten is a clear winner here too. It's significantly more affordable than platinum and gold plus, it offers superior scratch resistance compared to some of your most beloved jewelry.

Timeless Beauty: Tungsten Rings That Shine

We all love jewelry with an unwavering polished look. Unlike softer metals that can easily pick up scratches, a tungsten ring will retain a smooth appearance, minimizing the need for replacements or re-polishing.

Tungsten's position on the Mohs scale, coupled with the unique properties of tungsten carbide, makes it a model of durability. Tungsten rings are a perfect example, offering a combination of strength, scratch resistance, and a timeless look at a competitive price.

Maintaining Tungsten Rings

Fine jewelry deserves proper care to retain its beauty. Let's explore how much effort goes into keeping different ring metals looking their best:

• Gold: Soft and prone to tarnishing, gold rings require regular polishing with a soft cloth and gentle cleaning solutions.

• Platinum: While more resistant to tarnish than gold, platinum can develop a patina (a dull, protective layer triggered by a chemical reaction with air or moisture) over time. Maintaining its shine involves periodic cleaning with a soft cloth and a mild dish soap solution.

• Titanium: Relatively low maintenance, titanium rings benefit from occasional cleaning with a soft cloth and warm water. However, some brushed finishes may require a specific cleaning solution to maintain their texture.

Tungsten's Low-Maintenance Advantage:

Tungsten rings are pleasantly low-maintenance. Their exceptional hardness and non-reactive nature mean they can withstand scratches, tarnishing, and corrosion. Unlike softer metals, they won't easily scratch or show signs of wear, eliminating the need for frequent polishing.

Here's how tungsten shines in the ease of care:

• Minimal Cleaning: A simple wipe with a damp cloth or a quick rinse under running water is usually enough to remove dirt and grime.

• Polishing Power: While tungsten resists scratches, a soft microfiber cloth can be used to buff away any minor surface blemishes and restore its shine.

While Tungsten rings are incredibly durable, the lack of flexibility can cause them to crack or shatter under extreme circumstances. Whenever you wear or handle your tungsten ring, be careful not to drop it or apply too much direct pressure.

Cleaning Tungsten Rings: Impact On Durability

Tungsten rings are known for being low maintenance, but even these resilient beauties can benefit from occasional cleaning to keep them looking their best. Over time, everyday wear can lead to a buildup of dirt, oils, and lotions on the ring's surface. While unlikely to be scratched easily, persistent dirt particles can act as tiny abrasives, causing minor surface wear over time. Regular cleaning prevents this from happening, keeping the ring's finish pristine.

The good news is, restoring your tungsten ring’s shine is a quick and easy process that won't compromise its legendary durability.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to clean your tungsten ring using mild soap and water:

1. Gather your supplies: You'll need a bowl of warm water, mild dish soap, a soft microfiber cloth, and a soft-bristled toothbrush (optional).

2. Prepare the cleaning solution: Add a few drops of mild dish soap to the bowl of warm water. Stir gently to create a light lather.

3. Submerge the ring: Place your tungsten ring in the soapy water and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. This will loosen any dirt or grime that may be clinging to the surface.

4. Gentle Cleaning: Using a soft microfiber cloth, gently wipe the entire surface of the ring. For stubborn dirt or grime in crevices, use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a light touch to maintain your tungsten ring’s natural beauty.

5. Rinse and Dry: Rinse the ring thoroughly under clean running water to remove any soap residue. Pat it dry completely with a clean, soft cloth.

Remember, despite tungsten carbide’s durability, harsh chemicals like perfume, makeup, ammonia-based household cleaners, and chlorine can potentially damage the ring's finish or cause discoloration. It's best to remove your tungsten ring before showering, swimming, or handling harsh chemicals.

Storage Tips For Tungsten Rings

Tungsten rings are tough, but a little care goes a long way in protecting their shine and brilliance. Here are some tips for storing your tungsten ring to prevent damage or loss:

• Soft Landings: Store your tungsten ring in a lined jewelry box or a soft cloth pouch. This creates a cushioned environment that prevents scratches from harder materials, such as the gemstones in other pieces of jewelry.

• Each Piece Has Its Place: If you have multiple rings, storing them in separate compartments within your jewelry box or using individual pouches helps prevent them from rubbing against each other.

• Ideal Conditions: Choose a cool, dry location for your jewelry box. Avoid areas with extreme temperatures or high humidity, as these can potentially damage the ring over time.

Extend Longevity of Tungsten Rings

Tungsten rings are built to last, but a little TLC goes a long way. Be practical when it comes to jewelry cleaning and exposing your treasured ring to the elements:

• Mind Your Activities: Tungsten carbide is incredibly hard, but it's not invincible. Avoid wearing your ring during high-impact activities like rock climbing, weightlifting, or sports with a high risk of collisions.

• Temperature Matters: Extreme temperatures can potentially damage your tungsten ring. While it can withstand everyday fluctuations, avoid exposing it to extreme heat or intense cold for extended periods.

• Chemical Caution: Take off your ring before showering, applying lotions or cosmetics, or handling cleaning products.

• The Gentle Touch: Regularly clean your ring with mild soap and water (as described previously) to remove dirt buildup and maintain its shine.

• Professional Polish (Optional): For a deeper clean and to restore a brilliant shine, we recommend getting your tungsten ring professionally polished every few years. A jeweler can use specialized equipment, or you can purchase your own jewelry cleaning kit to remove any minor surface imperfections without damaging the ring.

Do Tungsten Rings Tarnish?

The beauty of tungsten rings lies in their exceptional resistance to tarnish. Unlike softer metals like silver or gold, which can develop a dull or discolored film over time, tungsten maintains its shine remarkably well.

However, there are a few exceptional circumstances to keep in mind:

• Low-Quality Alloys: While uncommon, some lower-quality tungsten rings may contain higher percentages of other metals like cobalt or nickel. These metals are more susceptible to tarnishing, and over a long period, they could potentially cause a slight discoloration on the ring's surface.

• Chemical Exposure: Even though tungsten itself is resistant, prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals like chlorine or bleach could potentially damage the ring's surface or cause a slight discoloration.

Mitigating Tarnish: Simple Steps

The good news is that tarnishing on tungsten rings is quite rare. Here's how to minimize your chances:

• Choose Quality: Opt for a tungsten carbide ring from a reputable jeweler, especially those who use a blend featuring nickel (like ours). Lower-quality rings may contain a large amount of tarnish prone metals.

• Chemical Awareness: Remove your ring before showering, swimming, or coming into contact with harsh chemicals.

• Regular Cleaning: As discussed earlier, regular cleaning with mild soap and water helps remove any dirt or grime buildup that could potentially interact with the ring's surface.

What May Impact Tungsten Ring Durability & How to Address It

With every new jewelry purchase, sometimes something unfortunate does happen- but it’s important to keep useful ways to handle these issues in mind, even for something as durable as tungsten.

Under Pressure:

• The Issue: While incredibly hard, tungsten carbide can be brittle. A forceful blow or sudden impact could cause the ring to crack or even shatter.

• The Solution: Avoid wearing your tungsten ring during high-impact activities like weightlifting, rock climbing, or using heavy machinery. When engaging in such activities, it's best to remove your ring and store it safely.

Chemical Concerns:

• The Issue: While resistant to most everyday chemicals, prolonged exposure to harsh substances like bleach, chlorine, or strong solvents can potentially damage the ring's finish.

• The Solution: Make it a habit to remove your tungsten ring before showering, swimming, or handling harsh chemicals. This simple step goes a long way in preserving the ring's pristine condition.

Scratches and Abrasions (Minimal Threat):

• The Issue: Due to its exceptional hardness, tungsten carbide is highly scratch-resistant. However, persistent contact with extremely abrasive surfaces like sandpaper could potentially cause minor surface wear over an extended period.

• The Solution: While unlikely to be a major concern, avoid storing your tungsten ring with other sharp objects or exposing it to rough surfaces unnecessarily.

Cracked Rings - A Difficult Fix:

• The Issue: Unlike some metals that can be bent back into shape, a cracked tungsten ring cannot be repaired by a jeweler. The brittleness of the material makes resizing or fixing cracks nearly impossible.

• The Solution: Prevention is key here. By following the tips mentioned above, you can significantly reduce the risk of your ring experiencing any cracks. Choosing a reputable jeweler and opting for a high-quality tungsten carbide ring also minimizes the chances of inherent defects.

Addressing Brittleness

Tungsten is exceptionally hard, but it also has a weak point: brittleness. Understanding the reasons behind brittleness and taking proper care, you can significantly reduce the risk of your tungsten ring breaking.

The Science Behind Brittleness:

• Crystal Structure: Tungsten carbide, the most common compound used in tungsten rings, has a body-centered cubic crystal structure. This arrangement of atoms allows for strong atomic bonds, contributing to the ring's hardness. However, it also limits the ways these atoms can shift and absorb stress.

• Limited Flexibility: Under extreme pressure or sudden impact, the atoms in this structure struggle to move and redistribute the force. This can lead to a localized crack that propagates quickly, causing the ring to shatter.

Minimizing the Risk of Breakage:

• Avoiding High-Impact Activities: This is the key! Refrain from wearing your tungsten ring during activities with a high risk of forceful blows. This includes rock climbing, weightlifting, using heavy machinery, or even playing intense contact sports.

• Respect the Limits: Tungsten carbide is incredibly strong, but it has its limitations. Be mindful of situations where your ring could experience a sudden impact. Consider removing it before engaging in such activities.

• Mindful of pressure: While using tools like wrenches, remove your ring or use the hand without the ring. Pressure exerted between the tool and the ring can cause significant damage. Always be mindful of the pressure.

• Proper Storage: Store your ring in a soft, lined jewelry box or a cloth pouch when not in use. This prevents accidental bumps or scratches that could weaken the ring's structure over time.

Polishing and Restoring Shine To Tungsten Rings

The beauty of tungsten rings lies in their inherent scratch resistance and low maintenance. However, over time, a buildup of dirt, grime, or even oils from your skin can cause a slight dullness. Here's how to tackle this and keep your ring gleaming:

• The Magic of Mild Soap and Water: For most situations, a simple cleaning with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft microfiber cloth is all you need. This removes any surface dirt or grime, restoring the ring's natural shine.

• Buffing Out Minor Surface Scratches: If you notice any minor surface blemishes, a dry microfiber cloth can be used to gently buff the ring and restore its shine. Avoid using abrasive cloths or polishes, as these can damage the finish.

Notice Any Tarnishing? Simple Fix.

Tungsten is highly resistant to tarnishing due to its unreactive nature. So, restoring shine usually addresses any perceived dullness. In the rare instance of a ring with a high amount of cobalt or nickel content showing slight discoloration, a gentle cleaning with soap and water should be enough.

Professional Help:

While not typically needed for maintaining shine, a professional jeweler can offer polishing services for tungsten rings that have sustained deeper scratches or require a more comprehensive cleaning. They have the expertise and tools to handle tough situations without damaging the ring.

Heat and Corrosion Resistance

Tungsten rings are champions when it comes to resisting heat and corrosion. Here's a breakdown of their impressive capabilities:

• High Melting Point: Tungsten boasts an incredibly high melting point of around 3422°C (6192°F). This exceptional thermal resistance makes it ideal for applications where extreme heat is involved, such as furnace linings or rocket engine components. In everyday life, this translates to the ring's ability to withstand heat damage from cooking, soldering, or even accidental exposure to a flame.

• Corrosion Resistant: Tungsten is highly resistant to corrosion, meaning it doesn't readily react with oxygen or other elements in the environment. This makes it a perfect choice for jewelry, as it won't rust or tarnish under normal conditions.

Practical Examples of Tungsten's Resilience:

• Fearless in the Kitchen: You can cook, bake, or grill without worrying about damaging your tungsten ring.

• Adventure Ready: Wear your ring on hikes, camping trips, or even during intense workouts without fear of corrosion from sweat or exposure to the elements.

Jewelry By Johan Lifetime Warranty

Jewelry By Johan (JBJ) stands behind the quality and craftsmanship of our tungsten rings by offering a lifetime warranty. Our warranty ensures you can enjoy your ring for years to come, with the knowledge that JBJ will be there to address any covered issues.

JBJ's Lifetime Services:

The JBJ warranty focuses on maintaining the beauty and functionality of your tungsten ring throughout its lifetime. Here's a breakdown of the key services they offer:

• Free Cleaning and Re-etching (Meteorite Rings): If you own a JBJ meteorite ring, you can send it back for complimentary cleaning and re-etching whenever you desire. We can ensure your ring's unique meteorite surface features remain clear and defined.

• Repair of Ring Armor (Lifetime): JBJ rings with "Ring Armor" (a proprietary coating protecting natural materials) are covered for repairs if the coating gets damaged and exposes the underlying material. We will assess the damage and determine if a repair is possible. If the damage is repairable, they'll fix it for free; you only pay for return shipping.

• Discounted Replacement (Natural Materials): If the natural material in your JBJ ring (e.g., antler, wood) becomes damaged beyond repair, JBJ offers a replacement ring at a 50% discount off the current retail price.

Important Considerations:

• Coverage Limitations: The JBJ warranty primarily focuses on maintaining the ring's condition, not replacing it entirely due to user-caused damage.

• Customer Responsibility: Customers are responsible for covering return shipping costs when sending their ring in for cleaning, repair, or replacement under the warranty.

• Clarity on Damage: JBJ reserves the right to assess the damage and determine if it falls under the warranty coverage.

Tungsten Rings: Built to Love and Last

Tungsten rings, for those looking for a strong and stylish statement piece, have become a popular choice for their:

• Unmatched Strength: Backed by exceptional hardness and remarkable scratch resistance, tungsten rings are built to endure everyday wear and tear.
• Low-Maintenance Beauty: Unlike softer metals that require constant polishing, tungsten rings retain their shine with minimal cleaning. A simple wipe with a soft cloth keeps them looking their best.
• Timeless Appeal: Resistant to tarnishing and corrosion, tungsten rings maintain their brilliance for years to come, making them a lasting symbol of commitment or a treasured accessory.

Your Trusted Source for Tungsten Rings

We offer a stunning collection of tungsten wedding bands, crafted with quality and attention to detail. Our lifetime warranty ensures that your ring will continue to be a cherished symbol for years to come. With a variety of styles and designs to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect tungsten ring at Jewelry By Johan to reflect your unique personality.

So, if you're searching for a ring that can keep up with your active lifestyle and timeless style, a tungsten ring from Jewelry By Johan might be the perfect choice.