What You Should Know About Cobalt Wedding Bands

When thinking about wedding rings, most people picture bands made of gold or sterling silver. These materials are common choices for jewelers and customers alike. However, that popularity does not mean that either is perfect or that they are the only options available to symbolize such a sacred union. 

In truth, many different metals are used to make wedding rings. In this deep dive, we will discuss cobalt wedding bands and analyze a variety of their qualities. 

How Do They Look?

Despite its historical associations with blue, cobalt wedding bands typically come in silver or black. More outstanding than the colors, though, is the luster. The metal has a strong reflective quality that can create an intense shine from a tiny light source.  

Plenty of other metals gleam under light. But what makes cobalt truly special is that its luster lasts. Over time, other rings will accrue scratches and marks. This surface damage causes the shine to fade in most materials, but not in cobalt. Bands made from this metal will never grow dull. 

 How Pure Are They?

If anyone tries to sell you anything with 100% cobalt, they are either lying or a smith with poor sense. Pure cobalt is too weak and scratch-prone to serve well as jewelry. This element is a transition metal, best used when combined with other elements. It is more like silver than gold in this sense. 

We advise looking for rings made from cobalt chrome. This alloy’s key additional ingredient is chromium, as you could guess, but it may also feature traces of tungsten, iron, and carbon. The resulting material is far more stable, durable, and resistant to wear than other cobalt alloys. 

 How Much Do They Weigh?

Ring weight is an underrated quality when shopping for bands. Just one gram, or even half a gram, can make the difference between comfort and discomfort. If you plan to wear a metal hunk around your finger every day for hopefully the rest of your life, you will want the former.

Cobalt chrome is, in fact, among the lightest materials for wedding rings. A ring made from 18K gold has a density of 17. 14K gold is 13, palladium is 12, and sterling silver is 10.2. Cobalt chrome weighs even less, averaging at an 8.5 density. You can feel comfortable even when wearing a thicker ring. 

How Durable Are They?

It’s easy to assume that all metals are hard, but durability is relative. Cobalt is tough enough on its own, and the alloy it forms with is incredibly hardy. Rings made from cobalt alloys are scratch resistant. We should add that they can withstand a great deal of pressure and not even show it. Durability is maybe the biggest benefit to cobalt wedding bands. 

Can They Be Cut in Emergencies?

If your hand gets injured, you will need to remove your ring as quickly as possible. Its grip on your finger may be constricting, leading to potentially dangerous complications. 

As hardy as cobalt alloys may be, rings made from them can be cut in emergencies. Your average ring cutter is just strong enough to do the job. Cobalt wedding bands sit within the ideal range of toughness. They are difficult to break unless you need to break them. 

Can They Be Resized?

Ring size is another extremely important factor. You need to make sure that your wedding ring is tight enough that it does not slip off your finger. It cannot be too tight, though, or wearing it will be a pain. If the ring you want does not fit right, you can get it resized. 

Certain materials are more difficult to resize than others. Unfortunately, cobalt is among them. Resizing cobalt is extremely difficult due to its toughness, which may be beyond some jewelers’ means to penetrate. We advise determining your ring size, getting one in that range, and trying it on before buying. 

Can People Be Allergic to Them?

Some people experience allergic reactions simply from touching some metals. Fortunately, cobalt is not among them. It is hypoallergenic, so anyone can put on a ring made from it without worry. The exception is for alloys that contain nickel, which may set off some people. Otherwise, you can get them with the understanding that they will not cause you pain or discomfort. 

What Else Should I Know?

Having as much knowledge as possible allows you to make better decisions. Here are a few other noteworthy qualities that you should know about cobalt wedding bands:

• They are hard to engrave. The downside to the extraordinary durability of these rings is that carving patterns or text on them is more difficult — and, therefore, more expensive.
• They are relatively inexpensive. Cobalt may not be the most economical of all metals, but for wedding rings, it is close.
• They do not require much maintenance. The occasional polish should be enough.

Cobalt Wedding Bands at Luvari

Cobalt wedding bands have their upsides and downsides, just like every other type of wedding ring. As you and your fiancée prepare to formalize your union, you should weigh them and decide together if they are ideal for both of you.

If you like what you have learned about them, you can find a variety of gorgeous? cobalt wedding bands right here at Luvari. Explore our fabulous options today.