Tantalum wedding band

[Double E]

Hi all, being in the middle of anniversary diamond ring project for my girl, Interest and desire is growing for building my own new wedding band also.

For the little research I did, I found Tantalum sounds a special and good option. Do any of you guys know what vendors are able to do tantalum? Or even had experience on having this material on your own band?

 

[rockysalamander]

I knew that tantalum was a common alloy metal, but I was not aware they made it into the dominant part of an alloy. Its a very cool dark gray with a blue overtone IRL. Looked up a few makers and it looks very cool. I suspect it is not re-sizable and my memory is that while it does not conduct heat, it does conduct electricity. So, not a great choice if you commonly might encounter electricity...look at ceramic or carbon-fiber, although most also have conductive metals in the alloy so are not 100% safe. Although most mechanics and electrical-contact jobs should avoid metal all together (ohm's law is a harsh mistress and 6 volts across a ring is not fun).

Here's a long thread that discussed titanium and other metals, though no tantalum.
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...recious-are-there-any-other-drawbacks.241333/

Titanium Vendors:
https://www.titaniumringsforever.com/ {my DH bought his ring here 18 years ago}
https://www.boonerings.com/sc.htm {have some incredible alloys like one that mimics mokume gane}

 

[bcavitt]

Benchmark makes tantalum rings. www.benchmarkrings,com

 

[doberman]

I knew that tantalum was a common alloy metal, but I was not aware they made it into the dominant part of an alloy. Its a very cool dark gray with a blue overtone IRL. Looked up a few makers and it looks very cool. I suspect it is not re-sizable and my memory is that while it does not conduct heat, it does conduct electricity. So, not a great choice if you commonly might encounter electricity...look at ceramic or carbon-fiber, although most also have conductive metals in the alloy so are not 100% safe. Although most mechanics and electrical-contact jobs should avoid metal all together (ohm's law is a harsh mistress and 6 volts across a ring is not fun).

Here's a long thread that discussed titanium and other metals, though no tantalum.
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...recious-are-there-any-other-drawbacks.241333/

Titanium Vendors:
https://www.titaniumringsforever.com/ {my DH bought his ring here 18 years ago}
https://www.boonerings.com/sc.htm {have some incredible alloys like one that mimics mokume gane}

Very interesting info regarding conductivity! Thanks.

 

[Double E]

I knew that tantalum was a common alloy metal, but I was not aware they made it into the dominant part of an alloy. Its a very cool dark gray with a blue overtone IRL. Looked up a few makers and it looks very cool. I suspect it is not re-sizable and my memory is that while it does not conduct heat, it does conduct electricity. So, not a great choice if you commonly might encounter electricity...look at ceramic or carbon-fiber, although most also have conductive metals in the alloy so are not 100% safe. Although most mechanics and electrical-contact jobs should avoid metal all together (ohm's law is a harsh mistress and 6 volts across a ring is not fun).

Here's a long thread that discussed titanium and other metals, though no tantalum.
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...recious-are-there-any-other-drawbacks.241333/

Titanium Vendors:
https://www.titaniumringsforever.com/ {my DH bought his ring here 18 years ago}
https://www.boonerings.com/sc.htm {have some incredible alloys like one that mimics mokume gane}

Thanks very much for the info. and providing suggestions. That sort of gray Color with blue tone attracted me the most, and I found from some vendors that Tantalum can also be finished polished, blushed or even sand blasted like those traditional precious metals to offer different looks. However, in terms of availability of being resizing, conflicting info were found from various makers.

This metal is hypoallergenic, dense like platinum which I prefer, and interestingly hard but ductile. It is said that it's more scratch resistant than platinum. Apart from the conductivity issue(thanks for bringing this to attention), it sounds like a really special and Gd choice for men wedding band. However, it seems like only very few people are capable to make it as jewels, and that's the major reason for not feeling safe to move forward.

 

[partgypsy]

I had to look it up. Really interesting metal. I think some of its strengths for commercial applications makes it less favorable for jewelry. The melting point is over 5,000 Farenheit, so most jewelry stores would not be able to resize or work on the ring. Gold and platinum are able to be worked, resized, etc. ETA - now I read that the ring can be reworked due to its ductility. But I think that would depend on if it had a coating on it or not. The melting point is higher than a welding torch however.

 

[Double E]

I had to look it up. Really interesting metal. I think some of its strengths for commercial applications makes it less favorable for jewelry. The melting point is over 5,000 Farenheit, so most jewelry stores would not be able to resize or work on the ring. Gold and platinum are able to be worked, resized, etc. ETA - now I read that the ring can be reworked due to its ductility. But I think that would depend on if it had a coating on it or not. The melting point is higher than a welding torch however.

It's true melting point is high. I m still trying to research for more info, as I know at the moment,David parums and grew & Co are two of the limited makers

 

[Miss Marple]

Blue Nile sells tantalum bands.

https://www.bluenile.com/search?isdiamondoroid=none&keyword=Tantalum

My husband wanted a tantalum band for years -- until he decided that an iridium band would be even better.
No new band for him so far but we did find a seller of iridium bands.

https://www.americanelements.com/irmwb.html