What is Hammered Tungsten?
"Elegant” and “rustic” are two words that would not commonly be paired with each other, even more so when it comes to describing jewelry. However, jewelers and designers alike have constantly produced jewelry designs that put a modern twist to a classic look, or change the game entirely. The hammered tungsten ring is a combination of a high quality material and a simple but stylish look to exude nothing but rustic elegance.
What Is Tungsten?
Although the metal was made known to the world in 1782 by chemists Juan Jose and Fausto Elhuyar, tungsten was first and commonly used in China around 350 years ago as pigments for their porcelain. Coined from the Swedish word meaning “heavy stone”, tungsten has certainly proven to be one of the hardest metals on earth–almost just as hard as the lustrous diamond. Its hardness and durability is one of its most popular characteristics. Tungsten is commonly used for various industrial, military, and medical equipment such as saw blades, cutting wheels, and even surgical equipment.
It’s debut in the jewelry industry did not take place until the 1960s when Rado first introduced a “scratch proof” watch made out of tungsten carbide. After seeing its success, other watch companies and jewelry brands eventually joined the bandwagon and has helped popularize quality tungsten as a fitting material for jewelry and is continually on the rise due to its luster, durability, and affordability.
Although the metal was made known to the world in 1782 by chemists Juan Jose and Fausto Elhuyar, tungsten was first and commonly used in China around 350 years ago as pigments for their porcelain. Coined from the Swedish word meaning “heavy stone”, tungsten has certainly proven to be one of the hardest metals on earth–almost just as hard as the lustrous diamond. Its hardness and durability is one of its most popular characteristics. Tungsten is commonly used for various industrial, military, and medical equipment such as saw blades, cutting wheels, and even surgical equipment.
It’s debut in the jewelry industry did not take place until the 1960s when Rado first introduced a “scratch proof” watch made out of tungsten carbide. After seeing its success, other watch companies and jewelry brands eventually joined the bandwagon and has helped popularize quality tungsten as a fitting material for jewelry and is continually on the rise due to its luster, durability, and affordability.
What Does a Hammered Tungsten Mean?
Just like how other pieces of jewelry come in shiny or matte finishes, a “hammered” finish just simply refers to the texture of the exterior surface of a piece of jewelry, particularly a ring. This "hammered" technique can be achieved in many ways. The way we achieve it at Patrick Adair Designs with our Obsidian Rings is with sanding techniques. The multi-faceted design adds a beautiful texture to rings and is a style that has been increasingly popular for wedding bands.
Just like how other pieces of jewelry come in shiny or matte finishes, a “hammered” finish just simply refers to the texture of the exterior surface of a piece of jewelry, particularly a ring. This "hammered" technique can be achieved in many ways. The way we achieve it at Patrick Adair Designs with our Obsidian Rings is with sanding techniques. The multi-faceted design adds a beautiful texture to rings and is a style that has been increasingly popular for wedding bands.
Just like how other pieces of jewelry come in shiny or matte finishes, a “hammered” finish just simply refers to the texture of the exterior surface of a piece of jewelry, particularly a ring. This "hammered" technique can be achieved in many ways. The way we achieve it at Patrick Adair Designs with our Obsidian Rings is with sanding techniques. The multi-faceted design adds a beautiful texture to rings and is a style that has been increasingly popular for wedding bands.
Is a Tungsten Ring Worth Anything?
When it comes to jewelry made out of luxurious metals such as gold and silver, it would not be difficult to find a store or a pawn shop to sell them to. Tungsten is a different story, however. People tend to find it a little more difficult to re-sell their tungsten jewelry. As unfortunate as it may sound, tungsten is not liquid, and not many people would find much value to tungsten jewelry for a number of reasons.
We must take into account that not only has gold and silver been used as currency far longer than paper money has ever been in use, but the properties of tungsten make it a little more difficult to re-sell to shops and other potential buyers. For instance, gold and silver rings can easily be melted or reshaped to fit the size of a client who may want to purchase a new ring. Tungsten because of its durability makes it quite difficult for other people to resize or change. Chances are, in order to get rid of your tungsten ring, someone would need to not only want one, but also must have the same ring size you have.
This doesn't mean that it doesn't have value at all. As a raw material and a form of investment, Tungsten is worth a lot and is in great demand globally. So in the Tungsten world, this rare metal is extremely valuable.
Tungsten engagement rings and Tungsten wedding bands, may also not have the prestige value of silver or gold rings, but it can definitely last longer and can symbolize a couple's "forever" more than the other 2 precious metals. And that in itself can make your tungsten forever ring more valuable than money can buy.
When it comes to jewelry made out of luxurious metals such as gold and silver, it would not be difficult to find a store or a pawn shop to sell them to. Tungsten is a different story, however. People tend to find it a little more difficult to re-sell their tungsten jewelry. As unfortunate as it may sound, tungsten is not liquid, and not many people would find much value to tungsten jewelry for a number of reasons.
We must take into account that not only has gold and silver been used as currency far longer than paper money has ever been in use, but the properties of tungsten make it a little more difficult to re-sell to shops and other potential buyers. For instance, gold and silver rings can easily be melted or reshaped to fit the size of a client who may want to purchase a new ring. Tungsten because of its durability makes it quite difficult for other people to resize or change. Chances are, in order to get rid of your tungsten ring, someone would need to not only want one, but also must have the same ring size you have.
This doesn't mean that it doesn't have value at all. As a raw material and a form of investment, Tungsten is worth a lot and is in great demand globally. So in the Tungsten world, this rare metal is extremely valuable.
Tungsten engagement rings and Tungsten wedding bands, may also not have the prestige value of silver or gold rings, but it can definitely last longer and can symbolize a couple's "forever" more than the other 2 precious metals. And that in itself can make your tungsten forever ring more valuable than money can buy.
Frostbite Ring
Add yet another modern twist to a classic style with our Frostbite Ring, boasting of a uniqueness like no other. Featuring a beautiful apatite and sapphire inlaid in a tungsten carbide foundation, our frostbite ring flaunts a hammered tungsten base, adding dimension and texture to an already handsome ring. Each facet is as unique as the other, making each and every ring truly one of a kind. The tungsten carbide material possesses a durability fitting for everyday wear, and firmly protects not only the apatite and sapphire, but also the strontium aluminate that gives the ring its luminous glow in the dark.
Add yet another modern twist to a classic style with our Frostbite Ring, boasting of a uniqueness like no other. Featuring a beautiful apatite and sapphire inlaid in a tungsten carbide foundation, our frostbite ring flaunts a hammered tungsten base, adding dimension and texture to an already handsome ring. Each facet is as unique as the other, making each and every ring truly one of a kind. The tungsten carbide material possesses a durability fitting for everyday wear, and firmly protects not only the apatite and sapphire, but also the strontium aluminate that gives the ring its luminous glow in the dark.
Add yet another modern twist to a classic style with our Frostbite Ring, boasting of a uniqueness like no other. Featuring a beautiful apatite and sapphire inlaid in a tungsten carbide foundation, our frostbite ring flaunts a hammered tungsten base, adding dimension and texture to an already handsome ring. Each facet is as unique as the other, making each and every ring truly one of a kind. The tungsten carbide material possesses a durability fitting for everyday wear, and firmly protects not only the apatite and sapphire, but also the strontium aluminate that gives the ring its luminous glow in the dark.
Get Your Own Custom Hammered Tungsten Ring
Want to add a personal touch to your ring? At Patrick Adair Designs, we take pride in making rings as unique as you are and offer custom made rings aside from the usual collections available in our store! Take full control over the colors, gemstones, materials, and textures you desire to perfectly capture you and your partners’ entirety, and check out our overview on custom rings! Discovering your story is something we take seriously and we guarantee that we will represent yours to the best of our ability!