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What is Tantalum?

What is Tantalum?
In recent years, many men (and some women) have been interested in wedding bands made from non-traditional metals. We often refer to these as alternative metals and they generally include anything other than gold, silver, or platinum. Some of the most common alternative metals for wedding bands are titanium, stainless steel, cobalt, and tungsten. 

If you’re searching for an alternative metal ring, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each. Start by learning the differences between precious metal wedding bands and alternative metals. Once you’ve done that, then you can start to look into different alternative metals. 

One of the newer metals on the market is tantalum. Here’s everything you need to know about it!

What is Tantalum?

Tantalum is a rare metal that is new to the jewelry world. It is mostly found in Australia and South America. It is estimated that the current resources of tantalum will be exhausted within the next 50 years. Because of its low failure rate, tantalum is frequently used in capacitors in smartphones and computers.  

What Do Tantalum Wedding Bands Look Like?

Tantalum wedding bands have a sleek, modern look. Tantalum is a unique gray color that has just a hint of blue. The natural color of tantalum is slightly darker than titanium but tantalum bands can also be black. 

The Benefits of Tantalum Wedding Bands

Tantalum is a hypoallergenic metal. It is extremely crack resistant (unlike tungsten) and will not react after exposure to everyday chemicals, such as household cleaners. Tantalum is also moderately scratch resistant. If a tantalum ring is scratched, it can be polished back to its original luster. 

Unlike many of the other alternative metal rings, tantalum rings can be resized if necessary. This is a huge benefit! Most alternative metal rings cannot be sized. For example, if you have a titanium wedding band and your finger changes size over the years, your band will need to be replaced. 

How Much Do Tantalum Wedding Bands Cost?

Tantalum is rarer than other alternative metals, so it’s priced slightly higher than most. The price of a tantalum wedding band is typically in between the price of an alternative metal band and a precious metal band. 

Come See Us at Koser Jewelers!

If you’re in the market for wedding bands, stop in to see us at Koser Jewelers! We have a fantastic selection of wedding bands in store, and we can also order and customize a band just for you! Stop in today or give us a call at 717-653-4941.