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What’s the Most Indestructible Metal for a Men’s Wedding Band?
Need a wedding band that works as hard as you do? We’ve rated the toughest metals around to help you choose the right one for your ring.
Updated on May 13, 2021.
Sometimes life can be tough. And, whether it’s your job, a demanding hobby, or a rough and tumble lifestyle, your hands often bear the brunt of your hard work. When choosing a wedding band, you’ll need to make sure it’s rugged enough to keep up with you (or the one you love) and continue looking good. Ater all, you’ll be wearing your ring for the rest of your life so make sure its toughness is true to the hand that wears it.
Move over platinum, gold, and silver…there are new metals on the block for men’s wedding bands and they’re stronger, more durable, and more affordable than the old standards. Although not truly new, these contemporary metals are quickly gaining popularity for rings and it’s now their time to shine. They’re versatile and beautiful and hold up better than their traditional counterparts. Additionally, they have a modern look and feel with far more appeal to today’s tastes and styles. Best of all? They cost less than traditional metals. Whoever says you can’t have it all has never met these metals!
When you know you’ll be putting your ring through the wringer, how do you choose the best material? At Jordan Jack, we’re making it easy to find the right one by reviewing the toughest wedding band metals out there and crowning one the ultimate champion. To select the best, we ranked each metal’s durability and hardness to help determine which have the highest resistance to chipping, breakage, and scratching. Other features of each metal are included to help make your decision effortless.
You may have already guessed, but Jordan Jack has a great selection of rings in all of these great contemporary metals along with classic and timeless gold and silver. No matter your metal preference, Jordan Jack has the perfect ring for you. With a free home try-on service, you can also confidently make your choice of engagement or wedding band without the hassle of going store to store.
Let’s meet the contenders – from super strong to nearly indestructible:
5. Stainless Steel
Not a metal itself but an alloy of steel and chromium, stainless steel is strong and durable and performs well over time. It has the look of sterling silver but is corrosion resistant and won’t tarnish, which means you can wear it in the shower or pool without fear. It is also more scratch resistant and much less prone to breakage than silver. Stainless steel offers the shine and strength of a precious metal with easy maintenance and an affordable price. Other notable qualities of stainless steel:
- Stain Resistant
- Antibacterial
- 100% recyclable
- Very design friendly; can be polished from bright and shiny to a heavy satin look
- Can be ion plated in several colors from gold tones to black
Examples of stainless steel rings at Jordan Jack include our Stainless Steel & Diamond Band, Black Stainless Steel with Blue Accent Band, and Stainless Steel & Blue Diamond Band.
4. Titanium
One of the strongest naturally occurring metals on earth, titanium won’t scratch easily or crack under the everyday pressures of life. With a futuristic aesthetic and 40% lighter than stainless steel, titanium is very comfortable, easy wearing, and appeals to the modern man. Titanium is especially appealing to those who aren’t accustomed to wearing jewelry and want a lighter ring. Although scratch-resistant, a titanium band can be polished to look brand new again should it happen to incur a scratch. Titanium provides a lifetime of good looks and rugged durability. Other desirable traits of titanium:
- Does not tarnish
- Corrosion resistant
- Can have polished or satin finish
- Hypoallergenic
Check out some of the titanium engagement and wedding bands at Jordan Jack – like our Classic Half Round Polished Band, Black and White Two Tone Band, or Black Mesh Center Band.
3. Tungsten
Tungsten is easily the most scratch resistant metal available for wedding bands. 2 to 3 times harder than titanium and cobalt, tungsten won’t bend and keeps its finish forever. It falls at a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, just beneath diamond’s hardness of 10. That hardness, however, comes at a price. Tungsten is more brittle than other materials and it is possible for it to chip or break through shock, pressure, or dropping. It is the least crack resistant of the metals being reviewed here. This susceptibility brings tungsten to #3 on our list of indestructible wedding band metals, although it is still an excellent and durable choice. More desirable qualities of tungsten include:
- Highest melting point of all metals (helpful if you ever find yourself inside a volcano)
- Heavy weight similar to the weight of platinum
- Multiple Color Options
- Hypoallergenic
The selection of tungsten engagement and wedding rings at Jordan Jack is impressive and includes our Black Matte and High Polish Rose Band, Round Diamond Beveled Edge Band, and Scratch Finish Double Grooved Band.
2. Tantalum
Tantalum is stronger, denser, and heavier than most metals used in wedding bands. It is rare and unique and is used in its pure form rather than as an alloy with other metals. Naturally bluish-grey in color, tantalum is slightly darker than platinum and naturally shiny. It is extremely durable, highly resistant to scratches, and shatterproof. It may develop a natural wear pattern over time but can easily be polished to look new again. Tantalum does not conduct heat, making it comfortable to wear. Here’s what else is great about tantalum:
- Does not tarnish
- Highly corrosion resistant
- Malleable and easy to work, so can be given many textures and finishes
- Hypoallergenic
At Jordan Jack, we take pride on our range of super durable tantalum wedding rings, which include our Two-Tone Ridge Design Band, Two Tone Rose and Black Frozen Center Band, and Gunmetal Scratch Finish Band.
1. Cobalt
Finally, we arrive at our #1 pick for the most indestructible metal for engagement and wedding bands – cobalt. Cobalt is alloyed with other metals to make it stronger and more malleable than it would be in its pure form. With a hardness second only to tungsten but without the brittleness, cobalt is extremely scratch resistant and very durable. It does not chip or crack under pressure and requires no polishing or maintenance to keep it looking beautiful. It is heavier than other alternative metals, so it’s perfect for those who appreciate a little more weight to their jewelry. With the color of platinum but four times harder, cobalt has a natural reflective quality that gives it a stunning shine. Cobalt is a relatively rare metal which will also make your ring stand out in a crowd. More to love about cobalt:
- Does not tarnish
- Corrosion resistant
- Exceptionally smooth; feels great on your finger
- Hypoallergenic
Examples of cobalt rings at Jordan Jack include our Satin Finish Center Band, Two-Tone Scratch Finish Satin Band, and Blue and White Two-Tone with a Carbon Fiber Inner Band.
So, stainless steel, titanium, tungsten, tantalum or cobalt? Despite our rankings, each metal is hard-working and can withstand the rigors of your daily life. It’s up to you to decide which best fits your style and everyday routine. No matter which you choose, you’ll have a beautiful ring that will last a lifetime.