Are Tungsten Rings Bulletproof? (2024)

With all of the “salesy” information out there about the benefits of having a tungsten wedding ring, you could be forgiven for thinking that they’re near invincible. As much as we’d like to tell you that they are, it’s simply not true.

It is true that tungsten is the hardest metal in the world, and it is true that they are more scratchproof than any other metal used in jewellery today, but there are a few drawbacks that you should know about before purchasing a tungsten wedding ring.

Most super hard materials are also brittle. That is why diamonds can be cut and shaped, and is also why a pure tungsten wedding ring may not scratch, but will shatter when dropped on a hard surface. You may have noticed that most tungsten jewellery is actually referred to as tungsten carbide. This is because carbon is added to the tungsten, which stops it from being so brittle. Even a perfectly mixed tungsten carbide ring may still shatter under the right circ*mstances though, so it’s important to be aware of this before making your purchase. For the most part, if you drop your tungsten carbide ring on a hard surface, it will just bounce, and not bend, dent or scratch. On rare occasions though, it may chip, or even break. So if you are the kind of guy that regularly drops his ring in the shower, you might want to consider taking it off before you go in!

There is an important benefit to this quality though, that can turn it into a feature and not a drawback. In high impact situations (like a car accident), most soft metal rings will bend onto the finger, restricting blood flow, which can lead to the loss of the finger. Tungsten rings won’t. They’ll either hold up under the pressure, or they will break off the finger after absorbing some of the force, thereby making them safer rings to wear. We have also tested our tungsten carbide rings in an Emergency Room of a local Hospital, and have had one cut off using their equipment (which actually has a tungsten carbide blade!).

Like every other metal or material used in Men’s wedding rings, tungsten carbide most definitely has its place. Alongside only Zirconia Ceramic for hardness, tungsten carbide rings are the only metal wedding rings that will look the same in ten years time as the day you bought it – but you still need to you look after it!

Are Tungsten Rings Bulletproof? (2024)

FAQs

Are Tungsten Rings Bulletproof? ›

With all of the “salesy” information out there about the benefits of having a tungsten wedding ring, you could be forgiven for thinking that they're near invincible. As much as we'd like to tell you that they are, it's simply not true.

Can a bullet go through tungsten? ›

Tungsten given enough velocity will go through pretty much anything, this isn't something you want with bullets both because you usually do not want bullets to go beyond their targets and that a bullet needs to be able to dump it's energy into the body to be effective.

What are the disadvantages of 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 hard is it to break a tungsten ring? ›

Tungsten rings can shatter when enough force is applied to them. Tungsten is the hardest metal on earth. This means that instead of bending like a gold ring, tungsten has to break. Tungsten rings are made from the most scratch resistant metal on the planet.

Can tungsten be used for armor? ›

Tungsten is almost an indispensable part of armor-piercer. The kinetic armor-piercer made from tungsten alloy can compete directly with the depleted uranium bomb (depleted uranium has become an environmental problem). (5) Tungsten can also be used for nuclear weapon material shell protection.

Which metal is bulletproof? ›

In the end, titanium is bulletproof for the most part against bullets fired from guns that one would likely find on the shooting range, on the street or on the hunt in the mountains. Most guns legally bought and owned by individuals will likely not penetrate titanium.

Does the military use tungsten? ›

Tungsten metal powder is used to make ordnance for the military. Tungsten has a high density (19.25g/cm3) and high hardness. The melting point of tungsten is also very high at 3,422°C (6,191°F), making it a good choice for high temperatures as well.

How long will a tungsten ring last? ›

On average, tungsten rings last 2-5 years before maintenance is required. However, if you take good care of your ring, it can potentially last forever. Regular visits to a local jeweler for cleaning and polishing can help ensure your ring stays in prime condition.

Which is better, tungsten or titanium? ›

Of the two metals, tungsten is the strongest and it's more scratch-resistant. Tungsten carbide is 8.5 to 9 on the hardness scale, while titanium is 6. Tungsten can only be scratched by a metal or material that's an equal or higher rank — which would be diamonds.

Why do people wear tungsten rings? ›

Tungsten rings are low-maintenance and highly resistant to scratches. Lots of guys don't want to spend a lot of time polishing their ring or trying to buff scratches out of it. Tungsten is an excellent choice for anybody who wants a low-maintenance ring that also, frankly, looks badass.

Can hospitals cut off tungsten rings? ›

Any ring can be removed in an emergency.

While other metals can be removed with a wedding ring cutter, tungsten rings are a type of ring that can only be "cut" with vice grips or any kind of locking pliers. Most emergency personnel have this common tool, as well as your local emergency rooms.

What does it mean when a man wears a black wedding band? ›

Some couples choose black wedding bands because they represent everlasting commitment. The color black on its own can also mean things like power, strength and sophistication. These are all things a couple hopes to bring into their marriage, and a black wedding ring is a daily reminder of that.

Why is tungsten so cheap? ›

Tungsten is a fairly new metal on the market, and it does not hold its cash value the way gold does. That makes it a more affordable option.

Can you set diamonds in tungsten? ›

Adding a diamond to a tungsten carbide ring is easy enough and can be done in a variety of styles. While tungsten carbide's extreme hardness, unfortunately, makes the prong or “Tiffany” style of setting used in solitaire rings impossible, there are still many unique methods.

Is tungsten stronger than Damascus steel? ›

Q: Is tungsten better than Damascus steel? A: Tungsten and Damascus steel have different properties that make them suitable for different purposes. Tungsten is scratch-resistant but limited in customizations and can shatter. Damascus steel rings are durable, truly unique, and extremely flexible for customizations.

Can a gun be made of tungsten? ›

As others have said, pure tungsten is not the best metal for weapons. But it could be used for arrow-points. There the brittleness wouldn't pose such an issue, and hardness would help with armor penetration.

What metal can a bullet not go through? ›

Steel bulletproof materials are heavy duty, yet at just a few millimeters thick, extremely effective in stopping modern firearm rounds. The steel deforms under the stresses from the bullet's energy but prevents the rounds from reaching their intended targets.

What metal can bullets not penetrate? ›

They may be complex, such as Kevlar, UHMWPE, Lexan, or carbon fiber composite materials, or basic and simple, such as steel or titanium. Bullet resistant materials are often used in law enforcement and military applications to protect personnel from death or serious injury.

Can anything cut through tungsten? ›

While other metals can be removed with a wedding ring cutter, tungsten rings are a type of ring that can only be "cut" with vice grips or any kind of locking pliers. Most emergency personnel have this common tool, as well as your local emergency rooms.

What material can a bullet go through? ›

Summary: Most household objects won't reliably stop a bullet. Bullets easily puncture most walls, doors, and floors. However, brick, concrete, and cinder blocks effectively stop most common calibers.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kelle Weber

Last Updated:

Views: 6701

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kelle Weber

Birthday: 2000-08-05

Address: 6796 Juan Square, Markfort, MN 58988

Phone: +8215934114615

Job: Hospitality Director

Hobby: tabletop games, Foreign language learning, Leather crafting, Horseback riding, Swimming, Knapping, Handball

Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.