Tantalum is a rare metal commonly used in electronics. Its durability and heat resistance make it great for parts in smart devices, but it only recently has become a popular choice for wedding bands as well. Since it is a newcomer to the jewelry industry, you may have some questions about this mysterious metal.
Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions about tantalum.
How Durable Is Tantalum?
Tantalum is an incredibly durable option for a wedding ring. With a rating of 6.5 on Mohs Hardness Scale, it’s much harder than all the precious metal options and even harder than titanium. It resists scratches and doesn’t tarnish, which means it will keep its luster over its whole life.
Keep in mind that even though tantalum is resistant to scratching, it can still incur scrapes or dents over time. The good news is that these blemishes can easily be buffed out by a professional cleaning.
Tantalum is strong but not brittle, meaning it can be cut off in an emergency and won’t shatter if impacted.
Can Tantalum Be Resized?
While tantalum’s durability makes it a viable option for everyday jewelry, it also makes resizing tricky. This is made worse by the rarity of the metal. Since it’s relatively new to the jewelry market, not a lot of work has been done to figure out effective resizing methods.
This means that you should take extra care to order the correct size for the ring. The best way to do that is with a ring sizing kit available from most jewelry stores. Be sure to size your ring at different times throughout the day to get an accurate size.
What Does Tantalum Look Like?
Like other industrial metals, tantalum is dark gray in color. However, what makes this metal special is the undertones of blue that show up at certain angles. The slight blue tint makes the coloring of tantalum rings one of a kind, ensuring your ring stands out from the crowd.
How Much Does Tantalum Cost?
As stated above, tantalum is an incredibly rare metal, so much so that many believe the supply will run out within a few decades if no new reserves are discovered. That means that tantalum is more expensive than alternative metals like titanium and tungsten. But its price sits much lower than comparable precious metal rings like gold or platinum.
The price of tantalum is a great middle ground for wedding rings. It has long-lasting luxury but is still more budget friendly than high-luxury metals.
Is Tantalum Safe for Sensitive Skin?
Tantalum is a mostly pure metal, which means it’s hypoallergenic. It also doesn’t conduct heat, so your fingers stay safe no matter what environment you’re in or activity you’re doing.
Tantalum comes in a variety of designs and styles and is a great overall choice for a wedding ring material. Browse our tantalum wedding bands today to find the piece that suits your style perfectly. For any questions about tantalum, get in touch with us today.
