by Jesús Zabala - 5 min read
Tungsten Ring vs Gold
When you purchase a piece of high-end jewelry, you will have various options. If you want your rings to last, you should pick one made from durable metals, such as tungsten and gold. Both have unique appearances, but when we delve deeper into the tungsten ring vs gold comparison, we will see that they can suit different needs.
So, which one will be a better fit according to your preferences? Let’s compare the durability, style, value, maintenance requirements, and hypoallergenic properties!
Tungsten Rings
Tungsten rings are becoming an increasingly popular option among people seeking robust jewelry. They are made from an alloy composition called tungsten carbide. Tungsten rings generally contain metal and carbon, while nickel and cobalt might also be used as binders.
Tungsten is considered a dense and hard metal. In jewelry-making, it is known as the metal with the highest melting point of 3,420°C. Tungsten, also called wolfram, has the symbol W as a chemical element. It is rarely found in nature in its pure form and has a steel-gray appearance.
Tungsten rings have a unique manufacturing process compared to rings made from different metals. Due to tungsten's characteristics, rings are made by putting ground tungsten and carbon powder in a ring mold. The mixture is compressed and heated until it becomes a solid metal.
Gold Rings
Gold has been used for centuries to make durable and aesthetically appealing jewelry. It is a soft metal, easily malleable and ductile, perfect for making different types of jewelry with varying thicknesses.
Gold is one of the metals with which we, as metalsmiths, can create extremely detailed and unique designs. In its natural form, gold is yellow, making it stand out from other metals. Yet, gold can be mixed with different alloys to create gorgeous hues, such as white, rose, pink, green, red and gray.
Different types of gold are used for jewelry to maximize its enduring properties. Not all gold rings are identical and can be divided according to their purity. The purity of gold jewelry is measured in caratage, with 24K being the purest gold form.
Lastly, according to the metal composition, gold rings come in four options: solid, plated, filled and vermeil. Solid gold jewelry is made entirely from gold alloy. Gold-plated options are made of base metals such as copper, brass, nickel and silver, later covered with a thin gold layer.
Jewelry classified as gold vermeil has sterling silver as a base metal and a gold layer at least 2.5 microns thick. And gold-filled jewelry has a solid gold layer mechanically bonded to another base metal.
Tungsten Ring vs Gold
Gold and tungsten rings have distinct characteristics and unique appeal. They differ in durability, wearability, value, cost, style and maintenance requirements. We elaborated more below.
Durability and wearability
The lifespan of gold and tungsten rings depends on many factors, such as material composition, craftsmanship and maintenance. Generally, whether you purchase a gold or tungsten ring, you will probably use it for years, if not decades.
The best way to compare tungsten ring vs gold hardness and durability is to consult the Mohs scale. The scale rates various materials' hardness and scratch resistance, including metals. The hardness of tungsten carbide is rated higher than that of gold. Its hardness is 9, while gold in its pure form has only 2.5.
Unfortunately, the robustness of tungsten rings can also be considered a disadvantage. Due to its toughness, reshaping or resizing tungsten is impossible once the ring is made. Conversely, certain types of gold ring damage can be repaired.
Moreover, wearability comes down to personal preferences. Tungsten rings are generally heavier than gold rings. Some find the weight and hardness of tungsten rings pleasant to wear, while others prefer the softer feel of gold rings on their fingers.
Value and cost
When purchasing rings from transition metals, comparing the tungsten vs gold price will help you determine which option best fits your budget. In a nutshell, tungsten rings are the more budget-friendly option.
Even though gold has a higher ring price, it has a much higher intrinsic value than tungsten. When you purchase a gold ring, you are not just getting yourself a new piece of jewelry, but you are also making a long-term investment.
Gold rings and gold jewelry are always in demand in the commodities market. This consistent demand positively influences their resale potential.
Style and aesthetic appeal
Gold and tungsten rings come in a variety of styles. Tungsten is a hard material to work with, so rings made from it are simpler in design. Tungsten rings mostly have sleek and modern designs, compared to gold jewelry, which can have both traditional and contemporary appeal.
They differ because tungsten rings generally have straightforward designs and traditional ring shapes. On the other hand, gold is easily malleable because of its soft structure, allowing us to make jewelry in unusual shapes, like our fantastic Wave ring.
In addition, tungsten rings come in various finishes: brushed, polished, matte, shiny and satin. Similarly, you can find gold rings in finishes like wire brushed, sandblasted, stone, hammered, florentine, polished, satin, and more.
Allergies and skin sensitivities
If you have sensitive skin or a history of metal allergies, you will be happy to hear that both tungsten and gold rings are considered hypoallergenic. However, since both metals are rarely used in their pure form to make rings, you should check the alloy composition of the particular design you are interested in purchasing.
Allergic reactions can be avoided if you purchase jewelry that doesn’t contain allergen metals. Metals that are prone to causing allergic reactions are nickel and cobalt.
Maintenance and care
We have noticed that maintenance and care requirements can be a determining factor when people cannot decide between different jewelry metals. The general care of tungsten ring vs gold is the same.
Both jewelry metals should be cleaned with warm water and detergent-free soap. They should be stored separately in a jewelry box or soft cloth bags for rings when not worn. We advise you not to put them together with other jewelry pieces.
However, the difference between tungsten and gold rings is the required frequency of cleaning. As a rule of thumb, tungsten rings are low-maintenance and need occasional cleaning. On the other hand, gold rings will require more careful handling to maintain their timeless elegance.
Conclusion
The choice between tungsten ring vs gold ultimately depends on your individual preferences and expectations from the jewelry pieces. Tungsten rings are typically more durable and require less frequent maintenance. At the same time, gold jewelry is more valuable, comes in versatile and detailed designs and might be more comfortable to wear.
If you decide to add a gold-plated or solid gold ring to your jewelry box, don’t forget to check out our hand-made, 100% original design rings. Add your favorite one to your gold collection!
Jesús is the founder and designer of JewelryLab. He is the Head of Design and also oversees production, quality control, and precious metal sourcing.
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