Tungsten carbide is one of the hardest, most durable metals, so it is scratch-resistant, will not bend, and will not tarnish. All in all, you can shower with your tungsten carbide rings in the short term. In the long term, you should take care of it by taking it off when you in the pool.

Do tungsten rings fade?

Tungsten carbide will not scratch or fade under normal wear. One of the greatest appeals to tungsten carbide is its ability to hold a shine. The finish on tungsten wedding rings will not dull or fade over time. Tungsten wedding bands have a domed comfort fit finish.

Why does my tungsten ring turn black?

If your tungsten carbide ring has tarnished, chances are your ring was made from cheap industrial grade tungsten carbide and not from jewelry grade, which uses nickel binder. Oxidation causes discoloration, often turning the ring brown, gray or black, and loses shininess.

Why you shouldn’t buy a tungsten ring?

Tungsten’s hardness also has its downsides. In fact, the harder the metal, the more brittle and breakable it is (unlike gold, which is soft and malleable, meaning it will bend rather than break). If you drop a tungsten ring, or if you accidentally smash it against a hard surface, the metal may crack or shatter.

How do I know if my tungsten ring is real?

Test the Ring Out A top quality tungsten carbide ring will never lose its shine. Check your ring by trying to smudge and mark it; if it resists, then it is a good one. If it smudges easily and loses its shine within minutes, you know you have a poor quality product on your finger.

What is the natural color of tungsten carbide?

grayish color
Tungsten carbide rings are naturally a grayish color. They can be plated with platinum group metals to make them have the same color as platinum.

Is it safe to wear a tungsten ring?

Tungsten ring can absolutely be removed in emergency situations. Many experts say tungsten rings are safer to wear because they will break/shatter when they come under great amounts of pressure. Versus a solid gold ring that will bend around the finger and cause more damage.

Is it possible to tarnish tungsten carbide ring?

It may not be as tough as diamond but it is tougher than gold. That means it can tolerate hostile conditions better than gold; however, that should not be an excuse for you to expose it to such an environment. Tungsten carbide does not tarnish; it retains its luster and shines throughout its life.

What do you use to clean a tungsten ring?

Titanium and silver rings may develop patina and tarnish with time. Tungsten carbide is very easy to clean compared to the other metals. Silver and titanium rings may require a professional to revive and maintain their luster but all you need with tungsten rings is some mild dishwashing soap and a cotton swab/bud.

What happens when you oxidize a tungsten ring?

Oxidation causes discoloration, often turning the ring brown, gray or black, and loses shininess. Unless you like the look of a darkened, matte surface ring—and some people do—you would be better off avoiding such cheap tungsten rings due to the possibility of them being made from low grade tungsten carbide.

What happens when tungsten carbide is mixed with nickel?

High quality tungsten carbide mixed with nickel binder is chemically inert and will not oxidize (react with oxygen, or basically tarnish or rust) except at temperatures reaching 600C. Binder is used to “bind” the tungsten carbide together.