Tungsten Wedding Bands Send Designers Scrambling to Meet Demand

Tungsten Wedding Bands, Keep The Cash in Your Wallet

2011 has not been an easy year for anyone, with rising prices from fuel to food, most of us would concur that jewelry is a luxury of the past, especially for us of the working class. That being said, we still fall in love, we still want to have that special day and give a token of our affection to the love of our life. We have anniversaries that we want to remember and celebrate without feeling that we are missing out on being able to express ourselves with a gift the way we would have done 10 or perhaps even 5 years ago. However, the inevitable truth is that times have changed the way we celebrate and commemorate our most special moments. That is not all bad, it has prompted us to reflect on what is really important, not just the things we buy for our loved ones, but on our loved ones themselves.

The rising cost of a wedding today is staggering, a recent survey found on theknot.com polled some 10,000 brides and 1,000 grooms who were either married or engaged in the past year. The results reported that the average cost (not just the more expensive of tastes, but the average) of an engagement ring was $5,200. The average cost of the wedding band was $1,126 for her and $491 for him. And the most popular metal of choice among those preparing for their walk down the aisle, was white gold. Wow! That's quite an amount to be spent when a new couple is looking to secure a future together, and no doubt adds to the stress of planning their special day, especially since most couples are paying for their own ceremonies and receptions these days, without the help of mom and dad.

A Happy Solution

According to that same survey, a growing number of grooms had apparently found a solution to the expense of purchasing a white gold wedding band. 27% of the grooms surveyed had opted for a man's tungsten wedding band instead of white gold. I wanted to see how these averages fared with actual retailers, so in speaking with Ron Yates, CEO of Titanium-Jewelry.com, a leading online retailer of contemporary metals,he confirmed the findings, stating that grooms choosing tungsten was up by 8% from 2008. He commented further by saying that selection was important to the consumer, "We have found that more and more couples are choosing mixed metals wedding bands. Our best sellers are tungsten rings that are combined with gold or silver. The Tullamore tungsten ring by J.R. YATES with two sterling silver braids and the collection of tungsten rings with Rose gold by Heavy Stone Rings have been popular."

Grooms have not wanted to feel like they were making light or skimping on the significance of their wedding ring. As a result many still want the designer name, even if choosing a less expensive metal. For this reason, quite a few high end jewelry designers have been adding more and more mens tungsten wedding bands to their selection. One name that stands out in aiming to meet this demand is Benchmark. To show you the kind of value and savings that choosing tungsten carbide over white gold can give you, I recently compared 2 wedding bands of similar style, both from Benchmark. The price of the men's 7mm Benchmark wedding band in white gold was $1,549 while the 7mm Tungsten Carbide band also from Benchmark was a mere $199. That makes a world of difference when you are looking for style and still hope to afford the honeymoon. But such a price difference is to be expected, given the price of gold still hangs steadily at an average of $1,660 per ounce and has a projected incre ase to possibly $2,275 per ounce in 2012.

Will I Be Satisfied With Tungsten Carbides Quality?

Looking at the figures, quite obviously, there is no question of tungsten's affordability in comparison to that of white gold. The saving of money however is not the only concern prospective brides and grooms have in choosing a wedding band. Having a high quality band with beautiful appearance is just as important. No one wants to feel that they settled simply for what was the cheapest, because there was no alternative. That is the beauty and advantage of tungsten. It is durable and beautiful. Tungsten when used as a metal in jewelry making, is polished to a mirror like finish and will maintain that finish for the life of the piece. It is virtually scratch resistant, (which does not mean it is impossible to scratch, anything is possible if your setting out to intentionally scratch the metal) and is durable enough to be worn daily by a man who makes a living working with his hands. Gold though valuable is soft. Tungsten Carbide is 10 times harder than 18K gold, a desirable attribute when your dealing with an investment in quality, like jewelry. To illustrate, we are all aware that diamonds have a reputation as the hardest of stones, it measures in at a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Tungsten Carbide measures in between a 7-8 by the same scale, 5 times harder than that of Titanium.

Designers becoming aware of the public interest in choosing tungsten wedding bands instead of more traditional precious metals have made a wider selection available. This is not only out of concern for the consumer, it doesn't take long to figure out, if they don't give people what they want, the people will find someone else who will. This is a definitely an advantage for those planning a wedding on a budget or who simply wish to choose more carefully where they spend their hard earned money. Shop around and view the selection whether it be a solid man's tungsten wedding band or one interlaced with gold for a distinct contrast. Designers have been working feverishly to create a variety of settings that will bring you back into the purchasing arena. Try to relax a little and enjoy your shopping experience. Take your time and choose a band that will leave you satisfied with your selection and still preserve your peace of mind that you did not have to break the bank to do it .

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Comfortable Men s Wedding Rings

A wedding ring is something that is meant to be worn for life, so comfort should naturally be a consideration when purchasing a wedding band. Today, many rings are available in comfort fits, meaning that extra metal is used to make the inside of the band slightly domed, resulting in a very comfortable fit. As with most things, this piece of extra comfort generally means extra money.

The comfort-fit style is especially recommended for bands than are 5 mm or wider. It is also recommended for men, because the special design makes it easier to slide over a large knuckle and because it is also more comfortable once it is on.

It is important to consider how often the band will be worn when deciding whether or not a comfort-fit ring should be purchased. A band that is made of a durable metal such as titanium will probably be worn more frequently than a softer-metal ring. Therefore, the man may desire something that will provide extra comfort throughout a variety of daily activities.

Many grooms may also find comfort fit wedding rings more stylish. The domed shape allows for more reflection of light, giving the man

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Choosing A Live Band Or A DJ - Better Get It Right

The live band or DJ that you choose to entertain at your wedding can either enhance your wedding or put a damper on the festivities. It is important to choose a live band or DJ who is capable of ensuring that the guests in attendance are having a great time. A great live band or DJ is able to sense the mood of the crowd and adapt to meet their mood and vibe in order to keep the party moving.

The first thing to consider is whether you want a live band or a DJ to perform at your wedding. There are a couple of things to consider when deciding between a live band or a DJ. The first thing is price. A DJ is likely to cost considerably less than a live band. A DJ is usually just one person or possibly two people while a band usually consists of an average of about five performers. Right there is where you typically see a rise in cost because the fee you see in bands is usually split between quite a few people and therefore higher than the fee for one or two DJs. Next you need to consider selection. Many bands that perform at weddings have a set list that is typically not as long as the list of recorded music that the DJ has on hand. While this may not seem important because there are not many songs played during the wedding it does come into play if guests request individual songs. The other thing to consider is that a DJ is capable of keeping the crowd entertained for the entire duration of the wedding. They usually even play light music while dinner is being served. Bands however usually play approximately 15 minute sets at a time and then take a break which could interrupt the flow of the wedding. When choosing between a band and a DJ it is important to consider these factors and decide which works best for you.

The most important tip for choosing a live band or DJ is to make sure that you have the opportunity to see them perform before you commit to their services. Most live bands and DJs that perform at weddings gain popularity through their performances at other weddings. The best way to find a live band or DJ that will do a great job at your wedding is to use a live band or DJ that you enjoyed at the wedding of a friend or family members.

In choosing a live band or DJ it is imperative that you ensure that your contract specifies the exact names of those who will be performing at your wedding. This is usually not a problem with a live band because they usually have the same members present at all of their performances. DJs on the other hand are a different story. Many DJs become so popular that they are unable to perform at all of their committed parties. In this case a DJ may offer your party to another DJ for a small finder

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Buying a Tungsten Carbide Wedding Band Ring

When you decide to marry, one of the most important decisions will be about your ring. Traditionally, gold, white gold, silver and platinum have been used in wedding bands. But today, the selection of metals is broader, reflecting the change in our tastes and lifestyle. Tungsten carbide is one of the new metals from which jewelry designers have begun to craft wedding band rings, offering a wide variety of styles and designs that fit every taste and budget.

What is Tungsten Carbide?

On its own, tungsten is a very hard and dense metal, with the highest melting point of all metals - 6,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Alone, tungsten is vulnerable to scratches and damage just like any other metal, it gains its extreme hardness by being combined with a carbon alloy, transforming it into tungsten carbide, with a hardness between 8.5 and 9.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. The strength of tungsten carbide has made it widely used for decades in industrial applications - it is four times harder than titanium, twice as hard as steel and almost impossible to scratch. The resulting metal can be designed into wedding band rings that are both visually stunning to please the eye and durable enough to withstand everyday use. These rings can only be damaged through extreme measures, such as abrasion from diamonds or being struck with a hammer.

Choosing Your Tungsten Carbide Wedding Band Ring

Make sure you ask your jeweler which metal was used in the finishing or binding process. Many manufacturers of tungsten carbide wedding band rings use cobalt as a binder, mostly because it is cheaper to produce. The problem with cobalt is that it bonds with oils in the skin and leeches out of the ring resulting in oxidation. The oxidation appears similar to tarnished sliver, but cannot be removed by polishing or grinding. The better choice is nickel-binder tungsten carbide which is chemically inert, will not oxidize and because it is hypoallergenic, there is no danger of irritation to the skin. Be careful about dealing with a jeweler that doesn't specify that their tungsten wedding bands are made with the nickel binder alloy. Many jewelry stores do not know which alloy they are selling, and if they don't know, it is most likely cobalt alloy or pure tungsten, which lacks the hardness of tungsten carbide and are easily scratched.

Because of tungsten carbide's extreme hardness, wedding bands made from this metal cannot be sized like gold, silver or platinum rings. When you are ready to purchase, make sure that you take extra care in determining the proper size. In regards to engraving a tungsten carbide ring, it is possible, but the results will be very faint and difficult to read.

Finally, since your tungsten carbide wedding band ring is not indestructible, it makes sense to get a warranty, especially against breakage. Under normal usage there should be little or no wear on both the polish and the textures of your tungsten carbide wedding band ring and you will never need to use your warranty.

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Are Titanium and Tungsten wedding rings for life

When faced with the once-a-life-time decision of choosing a wedding band ring, everyone should do their own research in order to make sure they get the piece that can symbolize the eternality of marriage. For those who are seriously considering of buying the modern metals (titanium or tungsten) as wedding rings, here are some thoughts that are worth considering.

Will they be scratched?

Although titanium wedding bands are very strong and durable, the surface of the rings can actually be scratched. It takes another extremely hard object such as diamond to cut into the metal; however, it does not get damaged during normal daily use. For titanium rings with gold, silver or platinum inlay, the inlay part of the ring is as vulnerable as a ring that is made of the precious metal itself. In the case of minor a blemish, a titanium ring can be re-polished or refinished to restore the original appearance. On the other hand, tungsten rings are totally resistant to abrasions. Since tungsten carbide, the most common grade of tungsten alloy offered in the market, is extremely hard, it will NEVER get scratched.

Will they be bent out of shape?

Both titanium and tungsten have extremely high ductile strength. However, under extremely circumstances, titanium rings could bend out of round but a tungsten ring could not. If a high pressure is applied on a titanium ring, which could happen when being hit by a car door, the ring would bend when the force is strong enough. On the other hand, a tungsten ring stands a better chance of remaining intact, because tungsten in general is harder than titanium. However, once the force goes beyond the threshold, the tungsten ring will be fractured into several pieces instead of bend out of round. This characteristic, which we refer to as being brittle, is similar to that of diamonds whereas it is extremely hard but not ductile at all.

Will the color turn?

Neither of the metals will turn color. Titanium and tungsten alloy are biological inert and do not turn color with normal usage such as being exposed to the sun, in contact with sea water or cosmetic products.

Can they be resized?

The possibility of getting resized might be important since we gain or lose weight in the future. Due to the extraordinary high melting points of titanium and tungsten alloys, they cannot be cut and welded like traditional precious metals. Hence, resizing is more difficult, if not possible. Titanium wedding rings can be compressed or stretched up to one size, if there are no stones or inlay on the rings, with the help of special equipment. However, tungsten carbide wedding rings can not be resized at all. Therefore, one must measure the ring size carefully, possibility averaging the finger sizes at different times of the day, in order to avoid any sizing problem after the titanium or tungsten wedding band rings.

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A Wedding Band The Ultimate Symbol Of Love Devotion

A wedding band is a ring made of precious metal, worn on the ring finger to symbolize marriage. A wedding band is indicative of the fidelity of the spouse. It is usually worn on the left ring finger. It was a Greek belief that the vein in the left ring finger goes directly to the heart. The vein was called vena amori. However modern medicine has proven the belief incorrect. The custom of wearing a wedding band is European and has now spread widely across the world. However in Eastern Europe and some parts of Western Europe like the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany the wedding band is worn on the right hand ring finger. Some people wear wedding bands over the neck on a chain. Traditionally the wedding band is worn nearer to the base of the ring finger than the engagement band. Most of the times on the engagement band the spouse

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Edible-Wedding-Favors

Edible Wedding Favors

There is one type of wedding favor which is almost always appreciated by the guests at the wedding. This is an edible wedding favor. Whether you opt for sweet or savory items you and your guests are likely to enjoy your edible wedding favors. The downside to giving an edible wedding favor is it is likely to be consumed shortly after your wedding instead of being saved for years to come as a memento of your wedding. However, you can rest assured that your guests will greatly enjoy the gift. This article will provide a few ideas for edible favors you can give to your guests on your wedding day.

One of the most popular edible wedding favors is a simple chocolate bar with a personalized wrapper. These chocolate bars can be simple milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate are can be filled with items such as almonds or raisins. There are even more options available for the wrapper of the candy bar. This is very important because this is the first thing your guests will notice about your favor. Most brides and grooms opt to have their names and the date of the wedding printed on the wrapper and select a wrapper design which relates to love, weddings or the specific theme of the wedding. However, some brides and grooms may even decide to have their pictures on the wrapper along with their names and the wedding date.

Tins filled with candy are another option for brides and grooms who want to give out edible wedding favors. These tins can be filled with any type of candy you wish. They can be filled with mints, hard candies, candy coated almonds, chocolates or any other favorite candy. There is also typically the option of personalizing the tin by including the wedding date and the name of the bride and the groom. The guests may eat the candy soon after the wedding but they can keep the candy as a reminder of your wedding and use it to store other small items such as change, sewing needles, rubber bands or virtually anything which is small enough to be stored in the tins.

Candy is a very popular choice when a bride and groom are considering giving edible wedding favors. One unique way to give out candy as wedding favors is to use large glass bowls as the centerpieces for the tables and fill the bowls with the bride and grooms

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