There was a time when wedding bands meant only silver, gold, and platinum and grooms were hard pressed to make a choice that would reflect their personalities in a distinctive way yet ensure that their choice was durable, attractive-looking, and easy to take care of. However, modern technology and research for industrial applications has yielded a variety of materials that posses amazing physical and chemical properties, and are also wondrous in their appearance. Needless to say, jewelry designers have adapted these space-age materials to a large assortment of contemporary wedding jewelry, including wedding bands. Take a quick tour of what you can discover on the shelves today.
Ceramic Rings
High technology industrial ceramics are a far cry from the brittle household ceramic cups and saucers that we are all so familiar with. Sporting a rich lustrous jet black color, ceramic rings offer a singular and completely versatile option to the usual assortment of metals used in wedding bands. Alleged to possess the combined qualities of titanium and tungsten carbide, both extremely durable materials preferred for challenging industrial applications, ceramic rings are lightweight, scratch-resistant, hardy, and crack-resistant. Surprisingly affordable, you can get higher performance in variants like Seranite.
The manufacturing process involves the mixing of titanium and tungsten carbide under very high temperature to yield titanium carbide, a very had material that has a rating of 9 on a 10-point Mohs scale used to measure the hardness of minerals. Possessing the tungsten carbide’s hardness and the light weight of titanium, it is now seen in a number of jewelry designs with finishes that range from highly-polished to matte. Seranite offering greater durability and quality involves a proprietary process of manufacturing. While nothing more than a wipe with a damp cloth is required for care, the toughness of the material does not permit resizing.
Tungsten Rings
Giving hot competition to other jewelry materials is tungsten that is really tungsten carbide formed by mixing tungsten, a rare metal with carbon. Scoring 9 on a 10-point Mohs scale used to measure material hardness; it offers an unparalleled hardness, thus making it extremely durable and scratch resistant. However, direct heavy impact with a hard surface may cause it to crack. This feature, though, comes in handy in case a ring needs to be removed in an emergency, as it can be broken with pliers or a similar instrument. Usually available in signature gunmetal grey shade, there are variants that are completely black and a silvery white resembling platinum or even white gold. Tungsten rings also get a distinctive weighty feel that adds to their allure. Due to their hard nature, tungsten rings cannot be resized but since they cost so less, replacement need not cause any worry. You can download a complete guide on men’s tungsten wedding bands by clicking here or you can visit the genuine tungsten ring site – http://www.tungstenrings.com/
Palladium Rings
An extremely attractive option to the more common white gold and platinum for wedding bands is palladium that jewelry designers have adopted to give a distinct look that combines classicism with a contemporary outlook. A relation of platinum in the hierarchy of metals, it boasts of the same lustrous white color of platinum but is significantly lighter and delightfully less expensive. Originally used as a white gold alloy material, palladium was elevated as a standalone design material as fallout of the scarcity of gold and titanium due to demands by defense manufacturing during Word War II. Not only is it popular for its shiny appearance but also costs less and is great for persons with sensitive skin as it is hypoallergenic. Palladium does not require any re-plating like white gold and its hardness makes it durable as well as corrosion-proof. Now required to be hallmarked like platinum, palladium wedding rings can be resized though with some effort.
Cobalt Chrome Rings
Cobalt chrome has emerged as a hot favorite of jewelry designers all over the world who are looking to please their discerning customers by offering them the luxurious and classic appearance of platinum or white gold with the advantages of materials born out of contemporary research. The new-generation metal has a lustrous look and is extremely hardy making it crack and scratch-resistant. The other great advantage is that rings made out of this material can be resized, unlike the many other space-age stuff in vogue. Even persons with skin sensitivities can wear them round-the-clock for extended periods without worrying about allergic reactions as the material is hypoallergenic.Many times tougher than gold and platinum, cobalt chrome rings permit fine engravings and decorative work, and are pleasantly more affordable.
