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 What's the skinny on Tungsten?

P:  10/29/2004 6:00:10 PM  
MTauss2000
MTauss2000

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 6
Last Post: 10/29/2004
Member Since: 10/25/2004
 
I've been a fan of Titanium for years now, and lately I've been seeing more and more tungsten rings and jewelry.  Can anyone offer what knowledge they have about Tungsten rings, and the characteristics of the metal? I have no knowledge on the subject other than the fact that they look nice.

 


Michael Tauss
Posted:  10/29/2004 6:00:10 PM

 There are 4 replies to this message.  There are 4 replies on this page.

P: 10/29/2004 6:17:45 PM
valeria101
valeria101

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 14,048
Last Post: 4/30/2006
Member Since: 8/29/2003
 
Havier than the usual jewelry metas, shinier (and harder to scratch)... workeable just by specialized jewelry shops and very trendy.

The other day I happend upon zirconium rings :)   Guess all they need is a periodic table beside the jeweler's counter !

Like the idea of super-techie jewelry though...


Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian]

Posted:  10/29/2004 6:17:45 PM
P: 10/30/2004 5:54:48 AM
perry
perry

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 1,782
Last Post: 11/16/2009
Member Since: 9/19/2004
 
Tungston:

Very high specific mass - it will weigh a lot for a ring that size (a lot "heavier" than lead or gold).

Very hard.  Very difficult to machine.

Cannot be worked with normal jewelers tools and methods.  Cannot be resized.

Rings are machined.  If it doesn't exactly fit, you get a new ring of the right size (most tungston Mfr's will exchange the ring for the jeweler, at no cost to you).

In a medical emergency, I wonder if the hospital will be able to cut if off your hand as it will be harder and perhaps tougher than the blades on most bolt cutters (and yes, they routinely cut rings off of peoples hands).

Concerning the comment a person made on Zirconium.  Interesting, I was wondering about Zr.  Since it makes nice tubing, I suspect that it would be at least somewhat workable by jewelers.  High melting point though.   One of its key industrial uses:  nuclear power plant fuel rods (fuel rod consist of  several % of U235 in ceramic fuel pellets stacked inside a zirconium tube that is welded shut with zirconium plugs at the ends).

Perry

Posted:  10/30/2004 5:54:48 AM
P: 10/30/2004 11:42:53 AM
boonerings
boonerings

Cut Rock
Total Posts: 157
Last Post: 8/30/2009
Member Since: 10/31/2003
 
Perry is right about tungsten.  It's some nasty stuff to machine and finish.  There is no resizing it except to grind out some material from an internal diameter.  It weighs the same as platinum, which is 4 times as much as titanium.

For removal in emergencies, it is tough to cut, but tungsten can be cracked off since the metal is formed from powder.  This can be done in a vise, vise grips, press, or a hammer.  It is relatively easy to shatter. 

Bruce Boone
Boone Titanium Rings
www.boonerings.com

Posted:  10/30/2004 11:42:53 AM
P: 10/30/2004 5:36:34 PM
valeria101
valeria101

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 14,048
Last Post: 4/30/2006
Member Since: 8/29/2003
 
Date: 10/30/2004 5:54:48 AM
Author: perry
Concerning the comment a person made on Zirconium.  


I only know of bands being made, at most with small diamonds burnished. These come with a velvet-like, opaque black finish that is claimed to be scratch-resistant (? no idea what this claim is worth).

I saw some pieces in Olso this summer, and now there is some mention online too (example).


Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian]

Posted:  10/30/2004 5:36:34 PM

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