How Are Tungsten Rings Made?

Best Selling Products

Tungsten rings are one of the most interesting jewellery pieces around today. A very popular alternative to traditional rings made of precious metal like gold, silver, and platinum, tungsten rings are a lot more affordable. Despite their affordability, tungsten rings are able to boast of coveted qualities like strength, longevity, and fine craftsmanship.

Tungsten rings or tungsten carbide rings are made of tungsten carbide, which is a combination of tungsten and carbon atoms. Ranking 8-9 on the Mohs hardness scale, tungsten carbide is one of the hardest substances on earth. In fact, it is the hardest metal used for jewellery, which explains its resistance to scratch, damage, fading, and tarnishing.

It is interesting how the humble tungsten ring is able to exhibit these superior qualities. It is easy to see why tungsten rings would capture your attention, especially if you are in the market for a wedding ring option that is not just practical but also beautiful. 

By understanding the works and processes behind tungsten rings, we will be able to understand why they are so valuable. If you are also wondering about tungsten rings and how tungsten rings are made, this article is for you.

1. Powderizing tungsten and carbon

The very first step required to create a tungsten carbide ring is powderizing pure tungsten metal and carbon. After they are ground, they are put inside a mould in the shape of a ring, which is then compressed and heated to 1400 degrees Celsius in a vacuum furnace. Also called “sintering,” this process allows the tungsten to bind with the carbon to form tungsten carbide.

2. Polishing the ring

The product of the first step is called a ring blank, which is rough and black. To achieve the mirror-like finish of a tungsten carbide ring, it needs to go through many steps of polishing. While traditional jewellery can be polished using a regular polishing wax, hard and tough tungsten carbide requires the use of diamond polishing paste. 

3. Finishing the ring 

Many tungsten rings feature a satin, brushed, or matte finish. To achieve this, the ring will have to go through another finishing process using diamond coated wheels or discs. 

4. Customising the ring 

Finally, the tungsten carbide ring is customised. Gemstones or diamonds may be set in it, requiring very precise holes made by a high-power laser machine. Grooves may also be created for setting inlays like ceramic, gold, and even wood. 

Also, your tungsten ring can be engraved to reflect personalised messages or inscriptions. Using a laser engraving tool, customising your ring is very possible. Aside from that, many people actually prefer laser engraving over traditional methods of engraving because the results are crisper and smoother.

Tungsten rings are interesting pieces of jewellery not only because of their affordability but also because of their brilliant qualities which are up to par with, if not better than, traditional rings.