When you invest in a ring, you want to be sure that it can stand up to the strain of your everyday activities. The last thing you want is to scratch the band; it’s unsightly and can decrease the overall longevity of your jewelry.
Fortunately, there are many options on the market made of scratch-resistant metals. These metals offer varying degrees of protection, so it is important to know which is the most durable when it comes to scratches.
Most Scratch Resistant Metal: The Winner
The most scratch-resistant metal for rings is tungsten. While it may break under pressure, it is still more durable overall than any other ring metal that you can buy. You can wear tungsten rings to work, out on the town, at home – you don’t need to take it off unless your job requires you to use a lot of force with your hands.
Today, we are going to compare five ring metals – gold, silver, stainless steel, titanium, and tungsten – to help you make the best decision in the ring buying process.
Gold: Scratch Resistance, Pros and Cons
Gold rings are often chosen because gold has been a status symbol throughout history. This jewelry can be made in several colors, and gold ring bands are undeniably elegant. However, physical appearance is not the only thing to consider when buying a ring.
Gold is very soft. On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, it rates the same as a fingernail, a 2.5 out of 10. It is not very scratch resistant, and it is also prone to warping if put under pressure.
This metal is the least scratch resistant on the list. If you do plan to buy a gold ring and want to avoid scratching the band as much as possible, only wear it when you will not be doing any manual labor or touching anything with hard edges.
- Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to work with; ring bands can come in many shapes and can easily be resized
- Color and style variety; most common are yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold
Cons
- Easy to scratch; as soft as a fingernail, making it more prone to scratching than any other metal
- Prone to warping/denting; because the metal is so soft, it can easily be bent or dented
- Expensive; gold has a high price tag attached to it, including gold jewelry
Silver: Scratch Resistance, Pros and Cons
Next on the scratch-resistance list is silver. Silver ring bands have been wildly popular for a long time due to their shine and relative affordability. Silver rings are the least expensive precious metal. Affordability is a vital factor while on a tight budget, but you are better off investing in a ring made with more durable materials.
On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, silver rates only slightly higher than gold at a 3 out of 10. It is prone to scratching and warping as well.
Silver rings are beautiful, but they should be reserved for date nights and relaxing to minimize the risk of scratching and denting.
- Pros and Cons
Pros
- More affordable than gold; silver is still a precious metal but is less valuable than gold
- Elegant and shiny; silver goes with any outfit and sparkles when taken care of
- Can be cleaned at home; you are not required to take it to a jeweler for cleaning and polishing, though you still have that option
Cons
- Easy to scratch, warp, and dent; silver is only slightly harder than gold
- Tarnishes and requires more care; you must clean it regularly, avoid certain activities, and store it away from sunlight, heat, moisture, and open air
Stainless Steel: Scratch Resistance, Pros and Cons
Some people may be surprised to find that stainless steel can be used to make jewelry and not just cookware or appliances. In recent years, stainless steel rings have increased substantially in popularity due to their combined durability and beauty.
Stainless steel rates at a 5 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, making it much tougher to scratch, dent, or warp than silver and gold. While it isn’t recommended that you wear your ring to work manual labor jobs without some protection, you can feel comfortable leaving it on your finger for most everyday activities.
- Pros and Cons
Pros
- Durable and fairly scratch-resistant; rating on MSOH is considerably higher than aforementioned metals
- Low maintenance; does not need to be cleaned or polished often
- Easy to clean; doesn’t require all of the rigorous steps followed when cleaning silver rings
- Lightweight and comfortable; stainless steel is lightweight and you may not even notice it on your finger
- Affordable; much less expensive than platinum or gold on average
Cons
- Limited options for styles and colors; stainless steel can’t be worked into very many colors and styles
- Little in-store availability; most stainless steel rings are sold online
- Difficult to resize; the metal is so hard that resizing may ruin the ring
Titanium: Scratch Resistance, Pros and Cons
Platinum is elegant and shiny, but it comes with a high price tag. If you are looking for a more affordable alternative to this metal, titanium is a great dupe. Titanium rings are actually more durable than platinum rings as well.
On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, platinum rates a 4 out of 10 while titanium rates at a solid 6. What it lacks in the whiteness of platinum, it makes up for in durability and specifically scratch-resistance. Wearing a titanium ring to work is no problem in most cases and is fine to wear out and at home as well.
- Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very durable and scratch-resistant; rates a 6 out of 10 on the MSOH, putting it far above the aforementioned metals
- Shiny and white like platinum, but more affordable; you don’t have to sacrifice style even if you are on a tight budget
- High precious metal content; titanium is valuable and hypoallergenic so you won’t have to worry about allergic reactions to nickel in most cases
Cons
- Harder to work with (cast) than other metals; titanium is a very hard metal and will, in turn, be more difficult to cast and shape
- Very difficult to resize if needed; again due to hardness, titanium rings are difficult to resize if needed
- Not as white as platinum; those who prefer the very bright white color of platinum may be disappointed with titanium rings
Tungsten: Scratch Resistance, Pros and Cons
The one metal that stands head and shoulder above the rest on this list is tungsten. It combines the best properties of other rings in physical appearance while being more durable than any of the former options.
On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, tungsten rates a 9 out of 10. The only thing harder than this metal is a diamond.
Tungsten rings come in several colors and styles; you have a ton of variety on the market, and the best part is that this metal is very affordable. You get style, comfort, and scratch-resistance without emptying your wallet.
- Pros and Cons
Pros
- Most scratch-resistant and durable of all ring metals; rates a 9 out of 10 on the MSOH right underneath diamonds
- More options in color and style than rings made of other metals; comes in a wide array of colors including black
- Very affordable; far less expensive than gold or platinum on average
- Hypoallergenic; will not irritate your skin as nickel does
- Easy to remove in emergency situations; no sawing or cutting required to free your finger
Cons
- Will break under too much pressure; tungsten can be more brittle than other metals and will crack if put under too much pressure
- Not as white or shiny as titanium and platinum; those who prefer very white and shiny rings may not prefer tungsten rings
Most Scratch Resistant Metal: The Winner
The most scratch-resistant metal for rings is tungsten. While it may break under pressure, it is still more durable overall than any other ring metal that you can buy. You can wear tungsten rings to work, out on the town, at home – you don’t need to take it off unless your job requires you to use a lot of force with your hands.
Now you know which metal is the most scratch-resistant for rings, but you may be wondering where to find these rings. Below are some examples to help you start your search for the perfect fit!
- This black tungsten wedding band is durable and masculine; it goes with any outfit for any situation. For pricing information, click on this link.
- For those who prefer simpler and more traditional rings, tungsten with brushed steel is subtle and elegant, perfect for any occasion. The silver color is shiny without being too bright and ostentatious. For pricing information, click on this link.
- Anyone who wants a more unique tungsten ring would be happy with a ring featuring an abalone shell inlay. It’s a conversation starter and a beautiful piece. For pricing information, click on this link.
- For a more modern look, a black tungsten ring with a silver inlay is a perfect choice. The matte color in contrast with the shiny silver is minimalist yet sleek and very on-trend. For pricing information, click on this link.
If you are looking for the most scratch-resistant ring available, one made of tungsten is the best choice for you.
What you want from your ring depends on your situation and preference, but buying something durable is important for the longevity of your jewelry. It never hurts to be safe!
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