Although there is usually more emphasis placed on engagement and wedding rings for women, almost all men who get married do wear wedding rings and guys are a lot more fashion-conscious today than in previous eras. Therefore, the selection of the right wedding ring for a man is perhaps more important than it once was.
Traditionally, wedding bands for both men and women have been made from 9ct gold or 18ct gold, whether it be yellow gold, white gold, rose gold or a combination of different gold colours. Some wedding bands are also made from silver or platinum.
In recent times, a material called “tantalum” has been used in the crafting of wedding rings, particularly for men. It’s a metal that has been trending and continues to climb in popularity. Let’s take a look at the tantalum wedding band to learn more about it and whether tantalum wedding rings are strong and resilient enough to stand the test of time.
What Is Tantalum?
Tantalum is a semi-precious metal that is actually quite rare. It’s hard, it’s blue-grey in colour and is quite lustrous. It used to be commonly known as “tantalium” and is actually named after a villain of Greek mythology called “Tantalus”.
One interesting characteristic about tantalum is its high resistance to corrosion. This enables it to be a long lasting metal that doesn’t degrade easily. Tantalum is often used as a minor component in alloys and is sometimes used as a substitute for platinum.
These days, one of the major uses of tantalum is in the manufacture of electronic components, such as for mobile phones, computers and video game consoles.
Much of the world’s tantalum is mined in South America and Australia. Its natural beauty and inherent qualities have more recently seen tantalum being used in the manufacture of quality jewellery, especially jewellery for men.
Is Tantalum a Good Material for Men’s Wedding Bands?
When it comes to men’s wedding bands, tantalum offers a unique appearance. Men’s wedding rings made from tantalum usually see tantalum married with either yellow, white or rose gold. The result is a very stylish and masculine looking ring that many grooms are more than proud to have slipped onto their ring finger on the big day, and they are just as proud to wear that ring for many years to follow.
The blue-grey hue of tantalum really gives it a unique appearance, particularly when crafted together with gold, or even a stone, such as a diamond, sapphire, ruby or emerald. Tantalum is a very versatile substance on many levels, making it ideal for the making of men’s wedding bands and other pieces of fine jewellery.
With regards to how well tantalum holds up to wear and tear over years of use, it’s a very hard and robust material, much harder than pure gold, making it ideal for a wedding ring that’s likely going to be worn on a daily basis indefinitely.
Wedding rings that make use of tantalum are often crafted with a machined finish to the tantalum. This makes the material even less likely to show up any scuff marks or scratches, leaving nothing but a flawless looking wedding band that maintains its appearance and integrity.
It’s worth noting that the properties in tantalum are hypo-allergenic, so there is virtually no chance of the wearer having any sort of allergic reaction to the metal while wearing it.
Is Tantalum Expensive?
Because tantalum is actually quite rare, it’s considered a somewhat precious metal and has a price tag to reflect this. Although it’s not as expensive in its pure form as other precious metals such as gold or platinum, it is pricier than the more contemporary metals on the market. Its rarity, unique qualities and its rise in popularity have combined to see the price of this metal increasing each year.
In Conclusion
Tantalum wedding bands for men are a unique and very attractive choice. Any groom is going to be more than happy to proudly wear a tantalum (and gold) wedding band, given to him by his new bride.
We’ve established that tantalum is a very hard and resilient metal, resistant to corrosion and is hypo-allergenic, making it perfect for jewellery manufacture and jewellery that will last.
