Why Durability Matters: The Mohs Scale
Why Durability Matters: The Mohs Scale
Shopping for a bride's wedding ring gets a lot of care and attention, but what about the groom? Men also deserve to have durable wedding bands they love, and luckily, the men's wedding ring industry is expanding to include more fashionable options. One of the most important things to think about when it comes to your wedding band is durability.
Why should you care about durability? What makes a wedding band durable? What exactly is the Mohs scale? Keep on reading as we take a deep dive into durable wedding bands so you can pick the style you love that will stand the test of time, just like your marriage.
Why Does Durability Matter?
Why should you care about prioritizing durable wedding bands in the first place? If you live an active lifestyle, you need a ring that can keep up with it. The last thing you want is to have your wedding band snap in half because you didn't do enough research on its durability.
These days, the push towards durable rings is trendier than ever. Grooms want an option that looks great while also working for their lifestyle. They don't want to worry about their ring getting damaged, scratched, broken, or falling off.
You should be able to seamlessly go from home to work, social outings, outdoor activities, and more and feel confident that your ring will stay in perfect condition.
Why should you care about prioritizing durable wedding bands in the first place? If you live an active lifestyle, you need a ring that can keep up with it. The last thing you want is to have your wedding band snap in half because you didn't do enough research on its durability.
These days, the push towards durable rings is trendier than ever. Grooms want an option that looks great while also working for their lifestyle. They don't want to worry about their ring getting damaged, scratched, broken, or falling off.
You should be able to seamlessly go from home to work, social outings, outdoor activities, and more and feel confident that your ring will stay in perfect condition.
What is the Moh's Hardness Scale?
If you're wondering which materials/metals are the most durable, luckily for you there is a scale for this! The Moh's scale of hardness tests how scratch-resistant each type of metal is, which determines its durability. The higher the number, the more it resists scratches and damage.
Keep in mind that scratch resistance is not the same thing as scratch proof. Some bands are more scratch resistant than others, but that doesn't mean invincibility. Some rings ranking the highest on this scale will be virtually un-scratchable like tungsten. This is why you want to choose a metal with a higher number because it will get scratched less often and not as early as softer metals.
Let's look at which metals are the hardest according to Moh's scale:
If you're wondering which materials/metals are the most durable, luckily for you there is a scale for this! The Moh's scale of hardness tests how scratch-resistant each type of metal is, which determines its durability. The higher the number, the more it resists scratches and damage.
Keep in mind that scratch resistance is not the same thing as scratch proof. Some rings ranking the highest on this scale will be virtually un-scratchable like tungsten. This is why you want to choose a metal with a higher number because it will get scratched less often and not as early as softer metals.
Let's look at which metals are the hardest according to Moh's scale:
If you're wondering which materials/metals are the most durable, luckily for you there is a scale for this! The Moh's scale of hardness tests how scratch-resistant each type of metal is, which determines its durability. The higher the number, the more it resists scratches and damage.
Keep in mind that scratch resistance is not the same thing as scratch proof. Some rings ranking the highest on this scale will be virtually un-scratchable like tungsten. This is why you want to choose a metal with a higher number because it will get scratched less often and not as early as softer metals.
Let's look at which metals are the hardest according to Moh's scale:
Tungsten
Tungsten rates at a 9.0 on the hardness scale, which makes it the most scratch-resistant wedding band option. The only material ranking higher than tungsten is the diamond! Tungsten is also an affordable option; however, it cannot be resized due to its hardness. Tungsten is also hypoallergenic and overall one of the best go-to options due to its great functionality and affordability.
Tungsten rates at a 9.0 on the hardness scale, which makes it the most scratch-resistant wedding band option. The only material ranking higher than tungsten is the diamond! Tungsten is also an affordable option; however, it cannot be resized due to its hardness. Tungsten is also hypoallergenic and overall one of the best go-to options due to its great functionality and affordability.
Ceramic
Ceramic also ranks at a 9.0 on the hardness scale. Ceramic is popular with those who don't love the weight and heftiness of jewelry since it is extremely lightweight. It comes in several color options as well, so it's a great choice if you want something that is scratch-resistant and durable that comes with some flair.
Ceramic also ranks at a 9.0 on the hardness scale. Ceramic is popular with those who don't love the weight and heftiness of jewelry since it is extremely lightweight. It comes in several color options as well, so it's a great choice if you want something that is scratch-resistant and durable that comes with some flair.
Ceramic also ranks at a 9.0 on the hardness scale. Ceramic is popular with those who don't love the weight and heftiness of jewelry since it is extremely lightweight. It comes in several color options as well, so it's a great choice if you want something that is scratch-resistant and durable that comes with some flair.
Titanium
Titanium rates at a 6, which is a bit of a drop from tungsten and ceramic, but it's still one of the hardest metal options. Titanium is a popular choice because it is comfortable and lightweight. It also doesn't tarnish, and it's easy to polish to get it looking like new again. Like tungsten, titanium is an affordable option and is easier to resize than tungsten.
Titanium rates at a 6, which is a bit of a drop from tungsten and ceramic, but it's still one of the hardest metal options. Titanium is a popular choice because it is comfortable and lightweight. It also doesn't tarnish, and it's easy to polish to get it looking like new again. Like tungsten, titanium is an affordable option and is easier to resize than tungsten.
Platinum
Platinum comes in at a 4.5 on the Moh's scale. It's also the priciest metal option but has an exceptionally white color. Engaged couples love this precious metal because it symbolizes everlasting love. Platinum wedding bands do not tarnish, but they are also not as scratch-resistant as the options mentioned above.
Palladium
Palladium also gets a 4.5. It looks very similar to platinum but comes at a lower price point. If you want the look and lightweight feel of platinum for a budget-friendly price, palladium is a great choice. Keep in mind that like platinum, palladium does show scratches over time.
How Durable is Gold?
Gold wedding bands have been around for ages. During the Victorian and Georgian era, gold was king in rings and other jewelry. Gold rings have lasted this long because we as a society have placed an intrinsic value on gold. Wearing gold jewelry is a statement of wealth and prestige. Yellow gold is the staple color for gold jewelry but it comes in different colors through a combination of metals to form white gold and rose gold. With these three options, you are sure to find a design/look with gold that will fit your style!
The question is, how durable is gold? Pure gold by itself is actually quite soft and on its own, is not suitable for jewelry. To account for this, gold is mixed with other metals to create an alloy of yellow, rose, or white gold. These alloys give it strength and durable to withstand the stresses of everyday wear. Gold comes in different karats based on the percentage of gold vs other metals in the alloy. The smaller percentage of gold, the more durable the alloy is. Gold will not tarnish or oxidize over time and and is overall a very durable metal.
Gold wedding bands have been around for ages. During the Victorian and Georgian era, gold was king in rings and other jewelry. Gold rings have lasted this long because we as a society have placed an intrinsic value on gold. Wearing gold jewelry is a statement of wealth and prestige. Yellow gold is the staple color for gold jewelry but it comes in different colors through a combination of metals to form white gold and rose gold. With these three options, you are sure to find a design/look with gold that will fit your style!
The question is, how durable is gold? Pure gold by itself is actually quite soft and on its own, is not suitable for jewelry. To account for this, gold is mixed with other metals to create an alloy of yellow, rose, or white gold. These alloys give it strength and durable to withstand the stresses of everyday wear. Gold comes in different karats based on the percentage of gold vs other metals in the alloy. The smaller percentage of gold, the more durable the alloy is. Gold will not tarnish or oxidize over time and and is overall a very durable metal.
Unique and Durable
With some jewelers, you are forced to choose between something exotic and unique or something durable. At Patrick Adair Designs, our luxury rings bridge the gap between style and function so you get the best of both worlds. We offer several metal types that are durable enough for everyday wear and make great wedding bands.
If you want the most durable option according to the Moh's scale, check out our Glowstone Series. Our Glowstone inlay rings are a combination of durable metal bases and beautiful and exotic gemstones/materials. The Star Dust Ring is particularly a popular wedding band choice among our customers and comes in a matching tungsten-carbide wedding band set.
With some jewelers, you are forced to choose between something exotic and unique or something durable. At Patrick Adair Designs, our luxury rings bridge the gap between style and function so you get the best of both worlds. We offer several metal types that are durable enough for everyday wear and make great wedding bands.
If you want the most durable option according to the Moh's scale, check out our Glowstone Series. Our Glowstone inlay rings are a combination of durable metal bases and beautiful and exotic gemstones/materials. The Star Dust Ring is particularly a popular wedding band choice among our customers and comes in a matching tungsten-carbide wedding band set.
With some jewelers, you are forced to choose between something exotic and unique or something durable. At Patrick Adair Designs, our luxury rings bridge the gap between style and function so you get the best of both worlds. We offer several metal types that are durable enough for everyday wear and make great wedding bands.
If you want the most durable option according to the Moh's scale, check out our Glowstone Series. Our Glowstone inlay rings are a combination of durable metal bases and beautiful and exotic gemstones/materials. The Star Dust Ring is particularly a popular wedding band choice among our customers and comes in a matching tungsten-carbide wedding band set.