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mum-wants-a-hat
Beginner June 2013

Cobalt, Tungsten and Titanium rings ?

mum-wants-a-hat, 18 April, 2013 at 00:26 Posted on Planning 0 14

Hi all.

OH is still struggling to make a decision on style and material for his ring. He originally thought about white gold like mine and certainly wants a silver tone metal but having read up on metal properties on jewellery websites, we think cobalt, tungsten or titanium might suit his manual work / hobby better. Has anybody any experience of these metals? I know cobalt is possibly a better colour match but it seems there are fewer styles. Also, he wants me to have an inscription put in it but it appears this can only be done by laser engraving. Has anyone done anything like that? Any feedback welcomed thankyou :0)

14 replies

Latest activity by mum-wants-a-hat, 18 April, 2013 at 21:25
  • Missmadgiggles
    Beginner August 2013
    Missmadgiggles ·
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    My OH has a tungsten carbide ring. Its pretty chunky and heavy and though we haven't got it engraved I believe they can be. Apparently its a really hard metal which resists scratches etc so perfect for my OH who also has a manual job. From what I saw from his searching on the web before hand there was also loads of different designs. It was also a bargin at only £60 ?.

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  • M
    Beginner July 2013
    minuet ·
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    My O/H also loves the look of titanium rings but was put off by the fact that there is no capacity to alter the size of non precious metal rings. Not that he is intending on getting bigger but if he does over time (almost inevitable surely?) he won't be able to wear his ring. Maybe something to bear in mind?

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  • Mrs Monkey
    Beginner July 2013
    Mrs Monkey ·
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    My OH is a builder. When we bought his wedding ring the assistant in the shop recommended titanium. She said it was the strongest metal they had and that white gold will rub off really quickly and silver is too soft. I don't think they sold cobalt though, so not sure how they compare.

    As it's been pointed out you can't resize it, so we had to go a bit small for when his finger changes.

    We got ours for £29

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  • mum-wants-a-hat
    Beginner June 2013
    mum-wants-a-hat ·
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    Mornings ladies and thanks for your replies :0)

    Reading a bit more, it seems cobalt can be resized as it's not As hard as the other two metals. Hmmmm decisions decisions.... We love the tungsten but have read that it's only tarnish resistant if the alloy is with nickel but can't seem to find info on jewellers sites as to what each ring is made up of.

    Think we will narrow it down to titanium or cobalt.

    Gosh, I didn't have this much difficulty choosing either my ring or my dress lol! Awkward bugga ;0)

    Whether he hates shopping or not it looks like we are hitting the jewellers this weekend. Could I ask where you ladies got your OHs rings?

    Thanks xx

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  • Mrs Monkey
    Beginner July 2013
    Mrs Monkey ·
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    I did ask about the resizing issue. She said that if it was a bit small it would naturally create a groove in the skin where it would sit comfortably. It's not an issue as long as he doesn't want to keep taking it off or if he puts on a huge amount of weight. I'm hoping it has nickel in it - would be upset if his ring looked a state in a few years time.

    We got his from a family busines GW Pack in Tiverton, Devon.

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  • Barefoot
    Beginner August 2012
    Barefoot ·
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    OH has a titanium ring, and it's engraved. It can also be resized, but only once. There is a myth that says titanium can't be cut off in an emergency. This is false. All A&E departments can now cut titanium, but tungsten is a different matter.

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  • Mrs Monkey
    Beginner July 2013
    Mrs Monkey ·
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    The titanium ring can only be resized by 'milling away' the inside of the ring to make it not as thick. Or to make it smaller a sleeve can be added inside. Which, as Barefoot says, means it can only be done once. Because titanium can't be soldered, it can't be cut to resize.

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  • mum-wants-a-hat
    Beginner June 2013
    mum-wants-a-hat ·
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    I'm wondering whether we should go down the smaller jeweller route too....

    There's so much more scope for a personality-suiting ring in these metals isn't there? My OH really doesn't do any format of body adornment- No tattoos, piercings, chains or even a watch. I have bought him some ace things over the years which he loves the look of but never uses so I really hope to get him a ring he will be completely happy wearing. He definitely doesn't want to take his ring off afterwards which is nice so I do want something spot on.

    Trouble is I feel really guilty! I have a lovely dress and a beautiful ring (albeit both in sales and ridiculous bargains) but OH has a hired suit and is looking at cheaper rings. We are looking at practicality and style and simply can't afford anything like platinum but I still feel bad that I have more money spent on me than he does on him. It's just not how we usually work. I know brides can have thousands spent on rings and dresses etc, and my dress, ring, accessories and shoes come in under £550 altogether but I don't want him to choose a lovely ring and feel he's getting second best because of the price tag. Not that he would, it's just me not being used to this sort of thing.

    Sorry, I'm waffling... ALOT! It's just playing on my mind a bit.

    Xx

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  • Mrs Monkey
    Beginner July 2013
    Mrs Monkey ·
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    My OH is similar to yours - no jewellery, watch etc. I was surprised when he said to me he would like a wedding ring (I had just assumed it wouldn't be his kind of thing and as my Dad is a builder who never had a ring, it didn't really bother me)

    We went in and he got sized. Then he tried on a couple of designs and found one he liked. We didn't even look at the price because I know most titanium rings in there are under £60. Turns out that it was only £29! Bargain. TBH my ring only cost £99 from Argos. For us it isn't about the price, but finding something we love. I wouldn't worry about how much has been spent on you compared to him - as long as he finds a ring he loves I don't think he'd be worried Smiley smile

    Even if you could afford Platinum - titanium is stronger, so personally I think it's better for someone working in a manual job.

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  • mum-wants-a-hat
    Beginner June 2013
    mum-wants-a-hat ·
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    Thanks DM. :0)

    Mine is an Argos ring too and I flippin love it! White gold and diamonds- half price sale so got it for £125! I can't wait to wear it eek!!

    I'm feeling a bit better about it now... We are just so used to all our money going on the children that it's all a bit new and odd spending on us. I think I'll just ask for rings within our budget and request that we don't see price tags then I really can't worry about it.

    Cheers!

    Xx

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  • Barefoot
    Beginner August 2012
    Barefoot ·
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    MWAH, I know exactly where you're coming from regarding price difference in rings. Mine was about 20 times the cost of OH's, and I felt really bad about it. However, he desperately wanted me to have platinum to match my engagement ring, and was dead set on titanium for himself since he felt it reflected his background in engineering. As OH said to me, th only thing that really matters is that you both have rings you love and are happy to wear forever.

    Maybe your OH can treat himself with some other aspect of the wedding. OH bought his suit which although not expensive, can be worn again. His big splurge was on a pair of handmade shoes, they are either Barkers or Church's, I can't remember, but he's always fancied a pair and couldn't justify the expense without the excuse of a wedding. In contrast, I was barefoot on the wedding day, and I sold my Irregular Choice reception shoes straight afterwards.

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  • BrownEyedGal
    Beginner May 2014
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    We spent a lot of time looking around for the right ring for OH. He's a gas engineer so needed a hard-wearing ring. We went with a cobalt ring from Ernest jones in the end. It looks really nice on and was a good price! Smiley smile

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  • ForTheLoveOfMrsBrown
    Beginner January 2012
    ForTheLoveOfMrsBrown ·
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    We wear tungsten carbide rings. They are ace, hard as nails (just about the hardest metal alloy available). I run mine along brickwork and walls and haven't caused any damage whatsoever. It's literally brilliant. It's a colour I like as well, a grey lustre (although admittedly had a different ring on my wedding day, to better match my dress). The only 'weakness' is they are brittle, meaning if you bang it too hard, it could shatter.

    BBB - I was given to understand that the 'shattering' method was that used in A&E, to remove tungsten carbide rings. Were you referring to elemental tungsten?

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  • Barefoot
    Beginner August 2012
    Barefoot ·
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    Ah yes, was referring to actual cutting of the metal. Thing is, there are few hospitals I would trust to know how to remove non gold/silver/platinum rings. The main trauma units would be fine but I think the smaller non specialist hospitals may struggle.

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  • mum-wants-a-hat
    Beginner June 2013
    mum-wants-a-hat ·
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    Well I don't know what's going on here but purmarried posted after barefoot, I have sent 3 replies to you ladies and nothing is sticking! Sorry if I appeared rude :0/

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