# Tungsten

> Tungsten carbide is an extremely hard, dense and scratch-resistant material used for modern wedding bands and rings.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/tungsten/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-08-16
- Updated: 2026-08-16
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/tungsteno/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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In jewelry, tungsten is almost always used as tungsten carbide, a compound of tungsten and carbon (with a metallic binder) of extraordinary hardness. It makes wedding bands and rings that barely scratch and keep their polish for years.

## Properties

- **Composition:** tungsten carbide, often with cobalt or nickel as a binder.
- **Hardness:** very high, close to 9 on the Mohs scale: only diamond and a few materials scratch it.
- **Density:** around 15 g/cm³: it feels heavy.
- **Color:** dark gray or polished black, sometimes with inlays of other metals.
- **Brittleness:** it is hard but brittle: a hard blow can chip it.

## Uses in jewelry

- Everyday wedding bands and rings.
- Bracelets and watches with a modern design.
- Decorative inlays in rings of other metals.

## Pros and cons

### Advantages

- It hardly scratches and keeps its shine.
- It does not tarnish.
- Affordable compared with precious metals.

### Limitations

- It cannot be resized and is hard to remove in a medical emergency.
- It is brittle under hard impacts.
- It is heavy, and not everyone finds it comfortable.

## Care and cleaning

- Clean with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft cloth.
- Avoid knocks against hard surfaces, such as floors or countertops.
- Check the size before buying, because it cannot be adjusted afterwards.

## See also

- [Stainless steel](https://www.711grados.com/en/stainless-steel/)
- [Titanium](https://www.711grados.com/en/titanium/)