Tungsten vs Gold: Wedding Bands

Deciding on a ring material is always a tough choice to make, there’s no doubt about it. You may be in between two beautiful options: one that's durable and affordable, or one that is a little on the pricier side but captures your style perfectly. Such is the case for tungsten vs gold rings; both are magnificent ring materials, but have differing qualities that may just make or break your decision, and we are more than happy to help figure out which ring material fits your lifestyle best with our quick guide to gold vs tungsten wedding bands!

A word of warning: gold plated tungsten rings may seem like an option that gives you the best of both worlds, but gold tungsten rings are plated and will lose their color over time and will need to be replated constantly!

TUNGSTEN WEDDING BANDS PROS AND CONS

Tungsten Rings have several advantages compared to gold, including but not limited to durability, price, and customization

Pros

1. Tungsten is 10 times more durable than gold.

You heard that right! Tungsten is known to be one of the hardest metals on earth, comparable to that of even the diamond. Tungsten has surely proven itself to be one of the finest industrial grade material used for the toughest jobs, and it is no surprise that it has made its way up the ladder in the jewelry industry.

2. Tungsten is significantly more affordable than gold.

Tungsten wedding bands are famously known for being one of the cheaper alternatives wedding bands without sacrificing quality. Known to be one of the most affordable compared to other precious metals, tungsten can surely fit in almost any kind of budget!

3. Unique designs.

Nothing spells modernity like fresh designs, and tungsten wedding bands can certainly give you a wedding ring that captures the spirit of modernity in an elegant way. Despite its hardness, tungsten rings can come in a variety of colors and still represent the bond you share with your partner the way you like!

Pros

1. Tungsten is 10 times more durable than gold.

You heard that right! Tungsten is known to be one of the hardest metals on earth, comparable to that of even the diamond. Tungsten has surely proven itself to be one of the finest industrial grade material used for the toughest jobs, and it is no surprise that it has made its way up the ladder in the jewelry industry.

2. Tungsten is significantly more affordable than gold.

Tungsten wedding bands are famously known for being one of the cheaper alternatives wedding bands without sacrificing quality. Known to be one of the most affordable compared to other precious metals, tungsten can surely fit in almost any kind of budget!

3. Unique designs.

Tungsten rings unfortunately have a few disadvantages when compared to gold

Cons

1. Tungsten is not malleable.

Like we said earlier, tungsten is a very durable metal and therefore the finer details in ring designs may not be quite as plentiful as other malleable alternatives. Its hardness makes it more difficult to work with, but if you find the right jeweler, anything is possible.

2. Tungsten cannot be resized.

This is another downside to their immense durability. jewelers will unfortunately have great difficulty getting your ring resized. Most jewelry stores that offer tungsten rings would most likely offer replacements instead of getting your new finger size. However, sentimentality is something of value to many couples, and having your tungsten ring replaced instead of resized may be a bit of a problem.

3. Tungsten can crack.

Contrary to popular belief, tungsten is, in fact, not as indestructible as you think! The metal is surely one of the hardest on earth and can’t be bent, but it still can crack. The amount of pressure needed to make a tungsten ring crack is quite immense that you should never have to worry about in your day to day life.

Cons

1. Tungsten is not malleable.

2. Tungsten cannot be resized.

3. Tungsten can crack.

Cons

1. Tungsten is not malleable.

2. Tungsten cannot be resized.

3. Tungsten can crack.

PROS AND CONS OF GOLD WEDDING BANDS

Gold rings have several advantages when compared to Tungsten, included but not limited to design options, accessibility, and color options

Pros

1. Gold has a lot of design options.

One of the best perks of choosing a wedding band made out of gold is its wide variety of designs, and its malleability is one of the reasons why jewelers are able to craft such beautiful yet intricate designs with gold jewelry. Whether you’d want a ring that exudes a vintage kind of charm or modern day elegance, there will most probably be a gold ring fitting for any kind of aesthetic!

2. Gold is one of the most popular metals and can be found in most, if not, all jewelry stores.

Gold has always been a material coveted by many throughout the centuries, and it doesn’t seem like this trend is going to die out anytime soon. Gold is almost everyone’s go-to jewelry material for a number of good reasons, and finding a gold wedding band that perfectly captures your story certainly won't be that difficult to find.

3. Gold has a variety of color options.

Depending on the precious metal alloy, your gold band can have any color you choose - yellow, rose, or white gold. Yellow gold has always been the more traditional and classic choice but with the number of gold alloys to choose from, you can pick a color that can most complement your skin tone and add to the beauty of the design that you have chosen.

Pros

1. Gold has a lot of design options.

2. Gold is one of the most popular metals and can be found in most, if not, all jewelry stores.

Gold has always been a material coveted by many throughout the centuries, and it doesn’t seem like this trend is going to die out anytime soon. Gold is almost everyone’s go-to jewelry material for a number of good reasons, and finding a gold wedding band that perfectly captures your story certainly won't be that difficult to find.

3. Gold has a variety of color options.

Gold bands have a few disadvantages when compared to Tungsten Bands

Cons

1. Gold can be expensive.

Let’s be real, here. Gold is known to be quite a luxurious material, so it’s no surprise that many authentic pieces of gold jewelry are quite heavy on the budget, especially as they get purer. Allotting a relatively larger budget for a gold ring may have to take place in order to cap the ring of your dreams!

2. Gold is one of the most malleable metals.

As we mentioned earlier, its malleability can definitely come as a perk when it comes to having a wide variety of style options, however, this is at the expense of its durability, especially the purer the gold gets. Gold is known to be one of the softer metals on earth and may require a bit of extra maintenance to ensure that your ring does not bend or break!

3. May not be hypoallergenic.

No gold jewelry is ever purely made out of gold. Other metals are usually combined with gold to enhance its color and sometimes even its strength, and these other metals may be the source of someone’s allergic reaction. Do take the time to read and research about which purity levels are most hypoallergenic and how to take care of them!

Cons

1. Gold can be expensive.

2. Gold is one of the most malleable metals.

3. May not be hypoallergenic.

Cons

1. Gold can be expensive.

2. Gold is one of the most malleable metals.

3. May not be hypoallergenic.

TUNGSTEN VS. GOLD: WHAT TO CHOOSE?

When deciding on a Tungsten or a Gold Wedding Band, you'll want to consider design options, durability, and price

Designs: While both tungsten and gold have varying designs that could perfectly capture your style, Gold certainly takes the cake with its long list of available style options and colors. Gold comes in white, rose, and yellow and can easily be designed however you like, whereas tungsten rings come in a beautiful gunmetal gray color and may have limited designs due to its hardness.

Durability: In terms of durability, there’s no doubt that tungsten wins by a landslide. Tungsten is placed at 9 in the Mohs hardness scale, one of the hardest just below the diamond, whereas Gold sits on the other side of the spectrum, placed comfortably at 2.5. Do take note, however, that the lower the purity level your gold jewelry is, the more durable it gets due to the other existing metals combined!

Price: One of the reasons behind tungsten’s rise to fame is not only its elegant look along with its longevity, but also its affordability. Tungsten rings are sure to fit any kind of budget while still looking great, as compared to the luxurious gold which may require a larger budget, especially when other factors such as color and stylistic choices come into the picture! However, because there is such a wide variety of gold rings, you may just be able to find the gold ring of your choice at a bargain!

Designs: While both tungsten and gold have varying designs that could perfectly capture your style, Gold certainly takes the cake with its long list of available style options and colors. Gold comes in white, rose, and yellow and can easily be designed however you like, whereas tungsten rings come in a beautiful gunmetal gray color and may have limited designs due to its hardness.

Durability: In terms of durability, there’s no doubt that tungsten wins by a landslide. Tungsten is placed at 9 in the Mohs hardness scale, one of the hardest just below the diamond, whereas Gold sits on the other side of the spectrum, placed comfortably at 2.5. Do take note, however, that the lower the purity level your gold jewelry is, the more durable it gets due to the other existing metals combined!

Price: One of the reasons behind tungsten’s rise to fame is not only its elegant look along with its longevity, but also its affordability. Tungsten rings are sure to fit any kind of budget while still looking great, as compared to the luxurious gold which may require a larger budget, especially when other factors such as color and stylistic choices come into the picture! However, because there is such a wide variety of gold rings, you may just be able to find the gold ring of your choice at a bargain!

TUNGSTEN VS. GOLD WEIGHT

Gold is significantly lighter than Tungsten

Weight is definitely one thing we must not forget when deciding on a ring material. How would it feel to wear a tungsten ring compared to a gold ring? Both are in fact, quite similar in weight, as the difference in their densities is almost very miniscule. Tungsten rings are known for their heft, and when wearing one you will surely feel the weight on your fingers, but not too much!

Gold rings, on the other hand, are a little more of a complicated story. A gold ring’s weight is relative to its purity level, which simply means that 10k gold rings would be lighter than an 18k ring, and even a tungsten band, despite having similar density levels! You may still feel quite a heft when wearing a gold ring depending on its karat, but just like a tungsten ring, getting accustomed to the weight will be no problem!

TUNGSTEN VS. GOLD: CLEANING

How To Clean a Tungsten Ring: Unlike other pieces of jewelry, tungsten rings require little to no maintenance! All it really takes is to gently wash your tungsten ring with mild soap and warm water! Avoid using harsh chemicals as these may lead to spotting, and when other gemstones are present in the ring, make sure to be a little more careful and do a bit of research, as they may require an entirely different set of maintenance rules!

How To Clean a Gold Ring: A little more effort may be required in the case of gold rings. Because they are soft metals, a simple washing with soap and water may not do the trick, and may even make things worse. Soaking your gold ring in a mild detergent or dishwashing bath in lukewarm water for 10 to 15 minutes and gently scrubbing the ring with a soft toothbrush should be more than enough, but others would prefer gold jewelry cleaners to ensure that the elegance and luster of their ring remains! Other rules may apply when there are precious stones on the ring, so do take the time to do a bit of research and read!

Both tungsten and gold are two beautiful materials that have their own unique qualities that make them what they are, and whatever material you choose, we are almost sure that they will deliver the perfect wedding band and represent the bond you share with your partner the best way possible. Feel free to check out our quick guide to tungsten rings and gold rings, as well as the variety of gold rings and tungsten rings available in our store!