Cobalt Vs Tungsten Rings
When you’re on the search for a ring that isn’t so heavy on the pocket, many alternative metals may come into mind. Tungsten carbide rings and cobalt rings are definitely viable options and have relatively similar qualities, but you’re not entirely sure which one perfectly matches all the requirements you need in a ring to suit your lifestyle. The decision between tungsten carbide vs cobalt rings is certainly a tricky one, but hopefully we’ll help you with your decision with our quick yet comprehensive comparison!
Tungsten Carbide Ring Pros and Cons
Pros
1. Tungsten Carbide durability comes second to the diamond.
Known for being one of the toughest materials for industrial grade jobs, tungsten carbide has proven itself to be quite a tough compound, often being used in various types of construction gear. Both the process of making tungsten carbide as well as the materials used to make it ensure quality at its finest, surpassing a considerable amount of its other ring material contenders!
2. Tungsten carbide is affordable.
Considering its fairly new debut, not many people are overly familiar with the amazing properties tungsten carbide has to offer. Its slowly increasing popularity means that the material is certainly not as expensive as your other conventional materials, all while offering impressive durability that could last you lifetimes.
3. Lots of available design options.
Despite the tough material, a tungsten carbide ring certainly can be designed to fit your general aesthetic. It may not be malleable enough to create intricate designs as well as cobalt, but tungsten carbide makes up for that by having a wide variety of colors available you to perfectly match your vibes!
Pros
1. Tungsten Carbide durability comes second to the diamond.
Known for being one of the toughest materials for industrial grade jobs, tungsten carbide has proven itself to be quite a tough compound, often being used in various types of construction gear. Both the process of making tungsten carbide as well as the materials used to make it ensure quality at its finest, surpassing a considerable amount of its other ring material contenders!
2. Tungsten carbide is affordable.
Considering its fairly new debut, not many people are overly familiar with the amazing properties tungsten carbide has to offer. Its slowly increasing popularity means that the material is certainly not as expensive as your other conventional materials, all while offering impressive durability that could last you lifetimes.
3. Lots of available design options.
Despite the tough material, a tungsten carbide ring certainly can be designed to fit your general aesthetic. It may not be malleable enough to create intricate designs as well as cobalt, but tungsten carbide makes up for that by having a wide variety of colors available you to perfectly match your vibes!
Cons
1. Tungsten Carbide cannot be resized
Like many tough rings, tungsten carbide rings are too hard to resize should your fingers change sizes in the future. However, some stores do offer ring replacements--especially for hard materials like tungsten rings -to work around this inconvenient predicament!
2. Tungsten carbide can crack
Yes, even the toughest compounds still have its weaknesses! The presence of carbon in tungsten carbide makes the material brittle and therefore not as crack resistant as other metals. You would find it almost impossible to bend a piece of tungsten carbide, but when you’re not careful enough your tungsten carbide ring could quite literally crack under pressure.
3. Tungsten carbide isn't malleable
One of the properties the tungsten carbide is known for is its hardness. You may find that many tungsten carbide rings don’t have designs that are as intricate or as detailed as compared to other metals, and make use of simpler, more classic designs, which may be a bit of an issue to some people who want their story captured a certain way. If fairly simple designs with a wide array of color options is more of what you’re going for, then perhaps this may not even be a con at all!
Cons
1. Tungsten Carbide cannot be resized
Like many tough rings, tungsten carbide rings are too hard to resize should your fingers change sizes in the future. However, some stores do offer ring replacements--especially for hard materials like tungsten rings -to work around this inconvenient predicament!
2. Tungsten carbide can crack
Yes, even the toughest compounds still have its weaknesses! The presence of carbon in tungsten carbide makes the material brittle and therefore not as crack resistant as other metals. You would find it almost impossible to bend a piece of tungsten carbide, but when you’re not careful enough your tungsten carbide ring could quite literally crack under pressure.
3. Tungsten carbide isn't malleable
One of the properties the tungsten carbide is known for is its hardness. You may find that many tungsten carbide rings don’t have designs that are as intricate or as detailed as compared to other metals, and make use of simpler, more classic designs, which may be a bit of an issue to some people who want their story captured a certain way. If fairly simple designs with a wide array of color options is more of what you’re going for, then perhaps this may not even be a con at all!
Cons
1. Tungsten Carbide cannot be resized
Like many tough rings, tungsten carbide rings are too hard to resize should your fingers change sizes in the future. However, some stores do offer ring replacements--especially for hard materials like tungsten rings -to work around this inconvenient predicament!
2. Tungsten carbide can crack
Yes, even the toughest compounds still have its weaknesses! The presence of carbon in tungsten carbide makes the material brittle and therefore not as crack resistant as other metals. You would find it almost impossible to bend a piece of tungsten carbide, but when you’re not careful enough your tungsten carbide ring could quite literally crack under pressure.
3. Tungsten carbide isn't malleable
One of the properties the tungsten carbide is known for is its hardness. You may find that many tungsten carbide rings don’t have designs that are as intricate or as detailed as compared to other metals, and make use of simpler, more classic designs, which may be a bit of an issue to some people who want their story captured a certain way. If fairly simple designs with a wide array of color options is more of what you’re going for, then perhaps this may not even be a con at all!
Cobalt Rings Pros and Cons
Pros
1. Cobalt chrome has a color similar to white gold.
If you’re looking for a white gold dupe, then considering cobalt is certainly a step in the right direction. The gray but very light color of cobalt shines just as luxuriously as white gold, that it even gives off a similar yet familiar air of glamour and charm.
2. Cobalt is an affordable metal.
Who says you need expensive metals to feel classy? Cobalt has the perfect ability to exude luxury without being too heavy on the pocket, suitable for people who aim for a classier looking aesthetic while still maintaining their budget.
3. Cobalt is durable and does not tarnish.
Commonly used in electronic, medical, aerospace industries, cobalt has proven itself to be a very durable and industrial grade material. Cobalt is an alloy that is four times stronger than platinum, and has properties that prevent the material from ever corroding or tarnishing!
Pros
1. Cobalt has a color similar to white gold.
If you’re looking for a white gold dupe, then considering cobalt is certainly a step in the right direction. The gray but very light color of cobalt shines just as luxuriously as white gold, that it even gives off a similar yet familiar air of glamour and charm.
2. Cobalt is an affordable metal.
Who says you need expensive metals to feel classy? Cobalt has the perfect ability to exude luxury without being too heavy on the pocket, suitable for people who aim for a classier looking aesthetic while still maintaining their budget.
3. Cobalt is durable and does not tarnish.
Commonly used in electronic, medical, aerospace industries, cobalt has proven itself to be a very durable and industrial grade material. Cobalt is an alloy that is four times stronger than platinum, and has properties that prevent the material from ever corroding or tarnishing!
Cons
1. May cause allergies
Despite being a naturally hypoallergenic material, there may still be people out there who have a specific sensitivity to cobalt, the same way many may still have skin sensitivities to nickel. Do make sure that you have no particular allergies to precious metals before considering getting any piece of cobalt jewelry!
2. Limited designs
Because of cobalt’s durability, be warned that you may also have problems finding cobalt rings that match your stylistic choices. It isn’t known for having a wide array of design options, and it may also be tricky to personalize your cobalt ring with engravings. You can also expect to have replacements made when your ring sizes change, as cobalt rings cannot be resized as well.
Cons
1. May cause allergies
Despite being a naturally hypoallergenic material, there may still be people out there who have a specific sensitivity to cobalt, the same way many may still have skin sensitivities to nickel. Do make sure that you have no particular allergies to precious metals before considering getting any piece of cobalt jewelry!
2. Limited designs
Because of cobalt’s durability, be warned that you may also have problems finding cobalt rings that match your stylistic choices. It isn’t known for having a wide array of design options, and it may also be tricky to personalize your cobalt ring with engravings. You can also expect to have replacements made when your ring sizes change, as cobalt rings cannot be resized as well.
Cons
1. May cause allergies
Despite being a naturally hypoallergenic material, there may still be people out there who have a specific sensitivity to cobalt, the same way many may still have skin sensitivities to nickel. Do make sure that you have no particular allergies to precious metals before considering getting any piece of cobalt jewelry!
2. Limited designs
Because of cobalt’s durability, be warned that you may also have problems finding cobalt rings that match your stylistic choices. It isn’t known for having a wide array of design options, and it may also be tricky to personalize your cobalt ring with engravings. You can also expect to have replacements made when your ring sizes change, as cobalt rings cannot be resized as well.
Cobalt vs. Tungsten: What to Choose?
Still can't decide? Let’s break down some other factors worth considering one by one!
Weight: Tungsten carbide is a dense metal with a density of 15.6 and is a little bit on the heavier side, but nothing too noticeable as a tungsten ring. Tungsten carbide does possess a similar, if not the same weight as gold! Cobalt on the other hand has a density of 8.5. It isn’t quite as light as titanium or silver, but it is lightweight enough to be considered as one of the lightest materials for rings. If you are looking for a heavier feel, then go with tungsten.
Price: Cobalt is known to be more expensive than titanium and tungsten, but certainly not as expensive as materials like gold. Both cobalt and tungsten are quite affordable with tungsten being a bit cheaper.
Color: At first glance, you may not notice quickly the differences in color between a tungsten carbide ring and a cobalt ring as they both have a greyish color to them! However, upon closer inspection, tungsten carbide has a more noticeable, darker, gunmetal color. Cobalt has similar brightness and luster to that of white gold or platinum. When comparing both of these rings together side by side, the difference is quite noticeable. If you are looking for a flashier ring, go with a cobalt ring.
Durability: Both tungsten carbide and cobalt are known for their durability, but their differences lie in where they stand in the mohs rating. Tungsten carbide is not a malleable material and is popular for its impressive strength and is at around 8-9 in the mohs rating, definitely making it one of the harder materials known to man! Cobalt on the other hand is not very far off, sitting comfortably at 7-8 in the mohs rating. It certainly isn’t as strong as tungsten carbide, but it isn’t anywhere near the softer side either. Both are extremely scratch resistant.
Star Dust Ring
Consisting of crushed diamonds, meteorite shavings, opals, and glow stone, our Star Dust Ring will surely bring the universe to you. Its cobalt chrome setting is one that is lightweight and crack resistant, with a luster that twinkles just as brightly as the stars themselves.
Consisting of crushed diamonds, meteorite shavings, opals, and glow stone, our Star Dust Ring will surely bring the universe to you. Its cobalt chrome setting is one that is lightweight and crack resistant, with a luster that twinkles just as brightly as the stars themselves.
Sunken Artifact Ring
Our Sunken Artifact Ring exudes nothing but an ancient piece of jewelry brimming to the core with history and magic. Copper pieces along with the strontium aluminate amplify its already enchanting look, and is very well protected by its tungsten carbide setting. Check out our Boundless design as well.
Our Sunken Artifact Ring exudes nothing but an ancient piece of jewelry brimming to the core with history and magic. Copper pieces along with the strontium aluminate amplify its already enchanting look, and is very well protected by its tungsten carbide setting. Check out our Boundless design as well.
Our Sunken Artifact Ring exudes nothing but an ancient piece of jewelry brimming to the core with history and magic. Copper pieces along with the strontium aluminate amplify its already enchanting look, and is very well protected by its tungsten carbide setting. Check out our Boundless design as well.
Cosmic Ring
Possessing a beautiful combination of sonic gray opal and an iridescent purple fluorite, our Cosmic Ring mimics the colors and the ethereal aura of heavenly bodies. Inlaid in a tungsten carbide core, the ring ensures a durability that lasts a lifetime and a beauty akin to that of the heavens.
Possessing a beautiful combination of sonic gray opal and an iridescent purple fluorite, our Cosmic Ring mimics the colors and the ethereal aura of heavenly bodies. Inlaid in a tungsten carbide core, the ring ensures a durability that lasts a lifetime and a beauty akin to that of the heavens.