Wedding Band Materials

etwigs34

Hey guys and gals, my girl and i were looking at wedding bands last night and were trying to decide what type of material would be best for my band.....The thing is, is that I go camping and work outside a lot, and we wanted a band that wouldn't get ruined by being really used. We want something that will last and not wearing it isn't an option.....We looked into Titanium and Tungsten Carbide for potential options.....I was just wondering if ya'll have any other suggestions or opinions about these materials. She also might want to get it engraved and i think we read that the Tungsten Carbide can't be engraved. Anyone know anything about this? Please LMK! Thanks all of ya'll!

-Twigs :cool:

shadowofnight

These were cool..... http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71625&highlight=damascus

Erik Tracy

etwigs34 wrote: »

Hey guys and gals, my girl and i were looking at wedding bands last night and were trying to decide what type of material would be best for my band.....The thing is, is that I go camping and work outside a lot, and we wanted a band that wouldn't get ruined by being really used. We want something that will last and not wearing it isn't an option.....We looked into Titanium and Tungsten Carbide for potential options.....I was just wondering if ya'll have any other suggestions or opinions about these materials. She also might want to get it engraved and i think we read that the Tungsten Carbide can't be engraved. Anyone know anything about this? Please LMK! Thanks all of ya'll!

-Twigs :cool:

Mithril!

Kinda hard to find, though

kgingras

I like the look of platinum but it depends how much you want to spend. Having said that, ti is probably the best value around and extremely durable. So much so I’m not sure they can be cut off in the emergency room.

What about these carbon fiber ones - http://www.escapesdesign.com/rings/carbon/rcf_u_001.html

mmadden28

I'm very happy with the durabilty of my Plat band (Scott Kay), One time I even slipped on some ice and caught my fall with my hands-the ring hit the asphalt (while still on my hand). There was a bit of asphalt in some of the crannies, but I got it out, no damage to the ring. Some say that Platinum patinas or gets dull after awhile-I'm not sure how long it takes, but I've had this thing for over 6 years and its still nice and shiny/ They can be repolished again later if necessary.
Mine is similar to this except the center is dimpled-almost cratered. I love the rounded edges on the inside--smooth.
Here's an article about Scott Kay and talk of another metal Palladium which is 12.6% harder than platinum.


A friend showed me his titanium band-I was amazed at how lightweight it felt.

agfrost

Mine is platinum and I've found it to be very durable. Pt won't oxidize, but it does take on surface scratches/swirl marks that keep it from staying ultra-shiny. It's my understanding that I could take it in to a jewelry shop for a buffing periodically, but I don't see the need.

Gold is obviously softer and doesn't take abuse as well. I'm unfamiliar with some of the other alternatives. One thing that I like about my Pt band is that it's much more dense than gold--Friends' gold rings are light in comparison.

Jay

petrym

I do a lot of work outside and with computer insides... I always remove my 14K gold ring when doing both 1. so it (and my finger) doesn't get damaged 2. working with electricity and wearing a ring is stupid 3. I'm still married when I remove my ring for a bit -- the missus doesn't mind when I take my ring off 'cause I'm still here after 21 years -- and I've never cheated on her when it was on or off.

I'm hoping that your GF isn't the jealous type.

zingo

Those CF rings are bad-A! How can you argue with unique, light weight, non-conductive, but still removable by an emergency room!

SKsolutions

Do they come in invisible yet?
I have a three year engagement, and I'm hoping for some technological advances made in this area. Congrats.:D

sucks2beme

petrym wrote: »

I do a lot of work outside and with computer insides... I always remove my 14K gold ring when doing both 1. so it (and my finger) doesn't get damaged 2. working with electricity and wearing a ring is stupid 3. I'm still married when I remove my ring for a bit -- the missus doesn't mind when I take my ring off 'cause I'm still here after 21 years -- and I've never cheated on her when it was on or off.

I'm hoping that your GF isn't the jealous type.

I pull my watch off for the same reason. I got nailed by 1500 volts on a
watch when I was 20. I know better now!. Believe it or not, I've been
married 27 years, and I've never had a wedding ring. The ring doesn't
have magic. The marriage does.

Rivrrat

I've had a gold band with 4 diamonds (.28 carat) for over twenty yrs. I've worked as a truck driver, telephone cable splicer/cable repairman, and now I install highspeed data eq. I've lost one diamond in 20 yrs. We got it replaced and the mounts beefed up, and I'm sure it'll be good for another twenty.

zingo

sucks2beme wrote: »

I got nailed by 1500 volts on a watch when I was 20.

It does suck to be you!

nebborjk

I have a Tungsten Carbide ring. I'm also very rough on my wedding band. This band replaces a "standard" gold band that I wore for ten years. After those ten years the ring was beat to high hell. After nearly two years with the Tungsten ring it is still in its original condition. And yes you can get a tungsten ring laser engraved. It's more like etching than engraving though, I might be able to get mine off if you’re interested in a pic. Just beware that tungsten isn't indestructible, they are susceptible to compression failure. I.E. it won’t bend, only break.

dorokusai

Why hasn't Lasareath chimed in with what he spends on this or that? He's a wedding band introvert.

strider

dorokusai wrote: »

Why hasn't Lasareath chimed in with what he spends on this or that? He's a wedding band expert.

Check out post #2.

petrym

sucks2beme wrote: »

The ring doesn't have magic. The marriage does.

+1000 That's the best way to explain it; well said man.

Deadof_knight

Heres a good question for you what type of work do you do... I do alot of different things mechanical, /electrical, programming, auto repair you name it. I dont take mine off for hardly anything except washing my hands. I had a nice white gold good solid thick band with diamonds did fine till I ook it off got drunk at the house and lost it because I woke up in the yard.... buggar to clean though...I have a stainless band now and its great I know its simple but ....it works and its tough!

shawn474

My wife and I both are active and outdoorsy. We got titanium rings over 10 years ago and they still look great today. They are lightweight, durable, don't bend and very comfortable.

We got them from this family and their customer service is exceptional, even though their prices have increased quite a bit since then.

http://www.artifact.co.nz/static.pasp?staticid=2

Shawn

ShinAce

Titanium is good. Certain white gold alloys with rhodium plating will also do the trick. Just get it flashed again with rhodium every 5 years or so. Roughly $50 to do.

No need to get crazy with tungsten carbide, which you could engrave with diamond if you had to.

miner

If you go paltinum (my choice) get at least a 92% platinum/alloy. Many people do not realize that platinum comes in different ratios with alloys.

dorokusai

Lasareath wrote: »

Because lasareath was stuck at his parent's house all day yesterday and their computer has died!








http://giftedkids.about.com/od/glossary/g/introvert.htm

That had to be painful.

etwigs34

Thanks everyone! Ya'll have been a big help! We decided to go with a black titanium ring. She is going to go get it engraved when i comes in tomorrow! I will post pictures as soon as possible!

exalted512

Tungsten is supposed to be one of the most resistant to scratches out of all the rings. That's what I'll be getting.
-Cody

TDawes

My fiancee and I are planning on having an intimate, ideally small beach wedding in Santa Barbara. We're looking for a ring-maker who specializes in nature-based wedding bands, and hopefully local. If anyone has any wedding information regarding the Santa Barbara area, or your experiences during your wedding,any info to pass along, it would be much appreciated:)
Thanks!

jbooker82

I have used my Tungsten Carbide weding band to press in some bronz bushings. The deep well socket I had was too long and the ring worked great with out even a scratch.

Tungsten Carbide is also known as Carbide. Same stuff on carbide tipped saw blades, and drill bit.

I also liked the heavy weight feeling vs the ti and carbon fiber bands. Mine is also the wider style with a stone finish. Yea you probably can't engrave it. You cannont resize it ethire. If you need a different size you have to just exchange it.

inspiredsports

I know when you are young and the novelty of being married is strong that you want to wear it, but my experience is that guys who wear wedding ring while working/camping/etc. have maimed or missing ring fingers.

Get Gold, wear it when you don't risk losing a finger.

Glowrdr

^^Be gone Jimmarshall!

teekay0007

Glowrdr wrote: »

^^Be gone Jimmarshall!

Hey, remember when he picked up a fumble and ran it, nearly the full length of the football field, for a "Touchdown"? :redface: From the looks of his posts here, it would appear maybe he took a few too many dingers on the ol' noggin!