[redbaron]

For the record, if you have an injury that requires cutting off a ring and you're wearing tungsten, they can remove it by shattering it. You simply use a pair of vice grips and clamp as tightly as possible several times around, and increase tension.

For the record, you cannot shatter a tungsten ring by tripping and hitting the ground. I've seen videos of people hitting them with things or putting them under pressure, and it takes quite a bit to break one. Tungsten carbide is not as hard as diamond, and not nearly as brittle. I like the look of the hammered 14k gold inlaid in tungsten.

for what it's worth, I am a fan of having the engagement ring be the one to carry any stones, and I like wedding bands that are the same (aside from size, obviously). [shrug] I like simplicity.

I also refuse to ever buy a mined diamond. Lab created or other natural stones are much less likely to have caused someone's death.

[Nate]

Originally Posted by redbaron

I also refuse to ever buy a mined diamond. Lab created or other natural stones are much less likely to have caused someone's death.

I suppose you also never enter tall buildings?

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by redbaron

For the record, if you have an injury that requires cutting off a ring and you're wearing tungsten, they can remove it by shattering it. You simply use a pair of vice grips and clamp as tightly as possible several times around, and increase tension.

I have heard of several cases from my EMT cousins where this was not possible. They absolutely hate titanium much worse though as it is hard to cut, and is malleable enough to not be crushable.

For the record, you cannot shatter a tungsten ring by tripping and hitting the ground. I've seen videos of people hitting them with things or putting them under pressure, and it takes quite a bit to break one. Tungsten carbide is not as hard as diamond, and not nearly as brittle. I like the look of the hammered 14k gold inlaid in tungsten.

I think I quite honestly could. My wedding band is slightly oval shaped from a fall on the honeymoon. Now I am a decently large and heavy guy. I landed on a steel railing. It was enough to bend the gold ring. I am certain it would have shattered tungsten just judging from times I have shattered tungsten. (I could show you a handful of shattered tungsten bits in my garage right now)

for what it's worth, I am a fan of having the engagement ring be the one to carry any stones, and I like wedding bands that are the same (aside from size, obviously). [shrug] I like simplicity.

Agreed with some notable exceptions from Germany today that I have seen. Absolutely stunning in their simplicity. However, as a general rule, I prefer plain.

I also refuse to ever buy a mined diamond. Lab created or other natural stones are much less likely to have caused someone's death.

I understand your basic thought here. However, if you buy a diamond that is from an antique source prior to the cartel, or an IGA certified stone that is registered you can trace its history.

But colored stones have a sordid history as well. Especially Rubies in Thailand and Columbian Emeralds. The Emeralds tend to come from sources that make conflict diamonds seem tame. Personally, I find lab created stones an abomination. In my mind its the case of being an informed consumer and choosing wisely. One can responsibly buy emeralds, rubies, and diamonds which do no harm, but it takes work.

[danalyn]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

I think I quite honestly could. My wedding band is slightly oval shaped from a fall on the honeymoon. Now I am a decently large and heavy guy. I landed on a steel railing. It was enough to bend the gold ring. I am certain it would have shattered tungsten just judging from times I have shattered tungsten. (I could show you a handful of shattered tungsten bits in my garage right now)

I did that with my engagement ring: we were moving and I got my hand stuck between the sofa and the wall. That ring wasn't slightly oval, it was bent. I had to take it to the jewelers to get it back to a proper shape.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by danalyn

I did that with my engagement ring: we were moving and I got my hand stuck between the sofa and the wall. That ring wasn't slightly oval, it was bent. I had to take it to the jewelers to get it back to a proper shape.

My ring is huge, I would guess in excess of 1/4 inch wide and very thick. (I also hurt my wrist from the impact) So I am guessing the impact would have shattered a tungsten ring.

But if you note old rings, they do tend to be oval, dented, etc. Meaning I think that the malleability of the gold helps them survive the stresses of life.

[LefseRae]

I think I would probably go with platinum, white gold, rose gold, or silver. And yeah, I prefer for the engagement ring to be w/ stones, and the wedding bands w/o.

[redbaron]

Originally Posted by Nate

I suppose you also never enter tall buildings?

Somehow I am guessing that anyone who died working on a tall building (in the western world at least) was probably being compensated for their labors, and wasn't their in slavery. This could just be me.

Bill: I wouldn't worry, shattering tungsten because you can bend gold is like saying you can crush granite into powder because you can crumple a soda can. Gold (especially the higher karats) is so soft and pliable (especially when warm with body heat) that you can bend it in your hand. Not quite as bad as silver though.

The amount of force it takes to shatter a tungsten bit in a drill press is the reason i wear goggles when i'm doing stuff like that. Cobalt makes a better bit anyway.