Tungsten might not be a metal you immediately think of, but if you do start to shop for tungsten jewellery you’ll see there are many different choices, so there could be something perfect for you. One of the best characteristics of tungsten is that it is tarnish and scratch-resistant. This is why it is particularly popular with rings and watches; because even if you’re wearing the piece every day you know the chances of it getting damaged are slim. When you consider how durable the metal is, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how affordable a piece of tungsten jewellery could be. The hypoallergenic metal is also easily shined, so if you are looking for something to use as a wedding band or something else that needs to look good then it can be a good choice. It is even possible to get them engraved with a laser if you wish to.If you’re looking for a metal that is strong and durable, you won’t go far wrong with tungsten –which is 10 times harder than gold and 4 times harder than titanium – pretty strong by anyone’s standards!
The History of Tungsten
There are different pathways that lead us to the tungsten that we use today. The credit for the main discovery goes to Juan and Fausto Elhuyar, brothers who had a keen interest in mineralogy. In 1783they discovered the metal and used carbon to heat it, to give us the tungsten metal that we use today. Before this, in China they also used tungsten pigment for its peach colour, which they used in porcelain design. It wasn’t until some 100 years later that started to be known for similar reasons across Europe. In 1971 Wilhelm Scheele isolated an acidic white oxide to discover a new metal, which we now know to be tungsten. If you know someone that is about to celebrate16 years of marriage, or you’re looking for a gift to give to a spouse then tungsten is known to represent the 16th wedding anniversary – which makes ita great gift to celebrate this all-important milestone.
Taking Care of Tungsten
Jewellery Tungsten is a robust metal which means it is resistant to scratches and marks that other piece of jewellery may fall victim to. However, it isn’t resistant to a build-up of dirt, which can cause blackspots to appear on the metal. If this happens, it can easily be washed and get it looking good as new again. Unlike lots of metals, tungsten is water-resistant which means that you are able to leave it to soak to help get it clean. It is still recommended that you avoid harsh chemicals but a 15-minute soak in some soapy water should help get your metal clean gain. If you do need to scrub it, you can use a soft toothbrush to rub the metal – try to avoid scrubbing it too hard. When you have finished washing it, always make sure you dry it properly before you wear it again.
Storing Your Tungsten Jewellery
Whatever type of jewellery you have, you should always look at property storage. Poorly stored jewellery can result in pieces becoming tarnished or damaged and that is something you’ll want to avoid. The good news is that there are lots of storage options around, so no matter the space you have, the amount of jewellery you need to store or your budget, you should be able to findsomething without too much hassle. Generally speaking, you want jewellery storage that has different sections for all of your jewellery pieces – this prevents them from bashing together and damaging each other. Ideally, your storage will also have a soft cloth lining to keep everything safe and a lockable lid. You’ll be able to store this somewhere dry and away from different extremes of heat. Store your jewellery well and make sensible choices when deciding who to buy from and when you invest in a piece of tungsten jewellery you’re likely to get something that lasts forever. On top of this, it will come with a pretty affordable price tag, which makes it a win-win jewellery choice for lots of people.