Tantalum Rings & Bands: Understanding the Pros & Cons

Tantalum is a strong, durable metal that’s increasingly used in wedding bands, particularly men’s wedding bands, for its one-of-a-kind, sophisticated look and long lifespan.

Metals like tantalum aren’t as well-known as, say, gold and silver, but they should be!

Men wearing wedding rings or bands has steadily become the norm since it became mainstream in the mid-1900s. This trend has increased alongside technological advances and the introduction of new metal options beyond the standard gold or silver.

One of those new options is, of course, the tantalum wedding band.

But is tantalum a good ring material? We’d say so! Still, it’s best to be fully informed before deciding on a lifelong piece of jewelry.

That’s why we’ve utilized our expertise from decades in the jewelry trade to break down everything you should know about tantalum rings, how they compare to other metals like tungsten or titanium, and what pros and cons to consider before choosing a tantalum ring.

Before we get into the rings, let’s go over what tantalum is exactly.

What Is Tantalum?

Tantalum is a rare element and metal formerly known as “tantalium.”

The Swedish chemist Anders Gustav Ekeberg first discovered tantalum in 1802, naming it after the Greek mythological villain Tantalus because dissolving it in acids was a “tantalizing” issue. (If you don’t know, the story of Tantalus being punished by always being just out of reach of food and water is where the word “tantalize” comes from.)

Chemically, tantalum is incredibly similar to niobium, and they’re often found together. In fact, the two weren’t officially identified as different elements until German chemist Heinrich Rose was finally able to separate them in 1846. Pure tantalum wouldn’t be produced until 1903.

Besides being used in jewelry, tantalum has all sorts of industrial applications. One notable example is when NASA used tantalum on the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 ships to protect the spacecraft from radiation.

Tantalum is one of the refractory metals, meaning it has a high melting point, density, and resistance to heat.

Here’s a quick breakdown of tantalum’s properties:

• Color: Dark blue-gray or silver-gray

• Melting Point: 3290 K ​(3017 °C, ​5463 °F)

• Density: 16.69; 15 when liquid

• Mohs Hardness: 6.5

• Refractive Index: 1.72

• Highly resistant to corrosion

• Resistant to all acids (at room temperature) except hydrofluoric acid

With those properties in mind, let’s look at how tantalum compares to similar metals used in rings.

Tantalum vs Similar Metals

When you’re browsing for durable, nontraditional ring metals, you’ll see a few different options. Tantalum rings are often competing with titanium or tungsten rings, so it’s important to know how they compare.

Let’s start with one you’ve probably heard of: titanium.

Pictured above: Titanium rings

Tantalum vs. Titanium

Titanium is a fairly abundant and versatile metal used in jewelry because it’s lightweight, stylish, and durable.

But what is stronger: titanium or tantalum? Both are quite resistant to scratches — tantalum is only slightly more scratch-resistant — and won’t dent easily, so their strength is comparable.

Color-wise, the two look similar, but titanium is usually a lighter silver while tantalum is a darker gray.

The main difference between titanium and tantalum is weight. Tantalum is denser than titanium, so tantalum rings will be heavier. Of course, ring heaviness may be a matter of preference.

Additionally, and possibly more importantly, titanium rings are more affordable than tantalum, usually 60 to 75 percent of the price of tantalum rings (all other factors being equal).

Pictured above: Tungsten ring

Tantalum vs. Tungsten

Tungsten is a rare, dense metal almost always found in compounds (combined with other elements). Tantalum and tungsten are both dense, but tantalum is denser.

Is tantalum stronger than tungsten? In terms of scratch-resistance (hardness), no; tungsten is one of the hardest metals available. In fact, tungsten is four-times harder than titanium.

However, tantalum is shatterproof, while tungsten is only shatter-resistant, so a tungsten ring may crack or break if you smash it against a hard surface. Tungsten is also brittle, so tungsten rings can’t be resized.

Color-wise, tungsten is more silver while tantalum is more gray with a blue undertone. Both are available in black, however.

What about the cost? Tungsten is considerably more affordable, often 30 to 50 percent of the price of a tantalum ring (all other factors being equal).

Pictured above: Platinum ring with cat's eye chrysoberyl gemstone

Tantalum vs. Platinum

Platinum is another dense, corrosion-resistant metal like tungsten and tantalum. The rarity and density of platinum is very similar to that of tantalum. However, platinum is the only precious metal listed here (beside gold, silver, and palladium).

Looking at hardness, tantalum is considerably more scratch-resistant than platinum. Both metals are similarly ductile, making platinum and tantalum resizable as rings.

Color-wise, platinum is a lighter, silver- to grayish-white color while tantalum is a darker gray-blue to gray color.

Lastly, the price of platinum rings is higher than the price of tantalum rings. In fact, platinum rings are typically 2 to 4-times the price of gold rings.

Now that we’ve compared similar metals to tantalum, we’ll compare the main pros and cons of tantalum rings.

Tantalum Rings: Pros and Cons

Like any metal jewelry, tantalum rings have advantages and disadvantages to consider before making a lifelong choice for a wedding ring.

Pros of Tantalum Rings

Here are the major benefits of tantalum wedding rings:

• Durable: Tantalum rings are shatterproof, corrosion-resistant, tarnish-resistant, and highly scratch-resistant. This means you can wear a tantalum wedding ring even in rugged, hands-on jobs without worrying about harming it.

• Hypoallergenic: Tantalum rings use the purest form of tantalum, which doesn’t contain nickel, making it great for those with nickel allergies or sensitive skin.

• Attractive: Though you can choose a polished or matte finish, tantalum has a naturally high luster, giving it a beautiful shine.

• Easily Maintained: You can easily clean and polish tantalum rings at home without paying for professional cleaning.

• Resizable: Tantalum is very ductile — meaning it can be stretched without breaking — so you can have tantalum rings resized from some jewelers. Tungsten or titanium rings are near-impossible to resize.

In a similar vein to resizing, can tantalum rings be cut off? Yes, the metal’s ductility means tantalum rings can easily be cut off if necessary.

Cons of Tantalum Rings

Before we go over the cons, let’s first answer: are tantalum rings dangerous?

As jewelry, tantalum is not dangerous. Tantalum is only dangerous if you’re exposed to (in other words, inhale) a certain amount of tantalum powder, which isn’t a concern when it comes to jewelry items like tantalum rings.

With that settled, let’s go over some downsides to consider if you’re thinking about getting a tantalum wedding ring:

• Luster: Though tantalum is lustrous, it’s not the shiniest when compared to metals like tungsten or titanium. This one’s more subjective though and might be a pro for you.

• Hardness: Tantalum has fairly good scratch-resistance, but it’s not the hardest metal. Luckily, any scratches are easy to polish out.

• Rarity: Tantalum is the rarest stable metal on Earth, so this can affect availability and eventually mean higher prices if sources are depleted.

• Price: Related to its rarity, tantalum’s price can be somewhat steep. It usually falls between precious metals like platinum and industrial metals like titanium.

On that note, we’ll dive deeper into what prices to expect for tantalum rings next.

Tantalum Ring Price

Although tantalum is rare, tantalum rings are less expensive than you’d think.

Tantalum rings are much more affordable than gold or platinum rings. But they are more expensive than titanium, tungsten, ceramic, or cobalt rings.

Most tantalum wedding bands cost around $300 to $500.

Additions that can raise the price of a tantalum ring or wedding band include:

• Other metals (like a gold inlay)

• Carvings or embossing

• Gemstones (especially diamonds)

Wedding bands reflect your everlasting commitment, so let’s see if tantalum rings last a lifetime as well.

Tantalum Ring Durability & Longevity

First, is tantalum easy to break? Nope, tantalum is shatterproof. That means slamming it against a hard surface won’t crack or break it.

Do tantalum rings fade? Natural tantalum rings won’t fade. The only exception is if you have black tantalum ring with an outer plating, which can break down over time.

Quick note before the next section: “corrosion” refers to metals deteriorating from water or moisture, while “oxidation” refers to metals reacting to air (oxygen). Sometimes oxidation is considered a type of corrosion and vice versa.

Does tantalum oxidize? No, tantalum rings will not oxidize or tarnish, unlike copper or silver jewelry.

Can tantalum corrode? In extreme (and we mean extreme) conditions, yes, but tantalum is one of the most corrosion-resistant metals available. The only acids tantalum is not resistant to are hydrofluoric acid, acid solutions containing fluoride ions, and free sulfur trioxide.

Translated to longevity, tantalum rings will typically last a lifetime.

Though tantalum may get scratched by harder materials, re-polishing will erase those scratches and make it good as new.

Re-polishing is just one aspect of proper tantalum maintenance.

How to Take Care of A Tantalum Ring

Luckily, tantalum’s durability makes tantalum rings easy to take care of.

Can I shower with a tantalum ring? In most cases, yes, showering won’t damage your ring. Exceptions are tantalum rings with inlays of other metals like gold that’s under 24K or gemstones that react with water like malachite.

If your tantalum ring gets scratched, you can take it to a jeweler for re-polishing or you can polish it at home with a cream metal polish, nylon pad, or soft cloth followed by rinsing.

Here’s how to clean tantalum rings:

1. In a plastic bowl of water, mix 1 cup of water and 1⁄3 cup of mild soap (like dish soap).

2. Place your tantalum ring in the solution and leave it submerged for 2-3 minutes.

3. Gently scrub any dirt or debris from the ring with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

4. Rinse away any soap residue.

5. Dry the ring with a soft cloth or let it air-dry.

To store your tantalum ring, keep it in a fabric pouch or fabric-lined box. Store it separately from other jewelry to avoid scratches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tantalum ring?

Made of the rare, blueish-gray metal tantalum, tantalum rings are an increasingly common choice for men’s engagement rings. These rings have a uniquely subtle yet sophisticated look that’s easy to maintain and lasts a lifetime.

What color is a tantalum ring?

Tantalum rings are typically a deep shade of silvery-gray with a slightly blue undertone, often described as gun-metal or slate. Some jewelers offer Tantalum Noir rings, which have a darker near-black surface layer from heat treatments.

Are tantalum rings durable?

Tantalum’s durability can be categorized by hardness (scratch-resistance), toughness (chip-resistance), and stability (resistance to corrosion and oxidation).

The hardness of tantalum rings is fairly high, higher than titanium and platinum but lower than tungsten. Tantalum rings are shatterproof, giving them impressive toughness. Lastly, tantalum is among the most corrosion-resistant metals out there.

What are the pros and cons of tantalum rings?

The major pros of tantalum rings are that they're durable, hypoallergenic, unique in appearance, resizable, and easy to maintain.

The main con of tantalum rings is the metal's rarity --- meaning limited availability and potentially higher prices. Also, their more recent introduction to the market means jewelers tend to have fewer tantalum ring options.

Can tantalum rings be resized?

Yes. Tantalum is malleable, so you can have your tantalum ring resized, usually up to one size. However, tantalum is a newer metal, so it might be harder to find a tantalum resizing jeweler than, say, a jeweler that can resize a gold or silver ring.

Can tantalum rings be cut off?

Yes, tantalum rings are easy to cut off quickly in an emergency using standard ring cutters.

Are tantalum rings hypoallergenic?

Yep! Tantalum won’t cause allergic reactions or affect sensitive skin. It’s also an inert metal, so it won’t react to chemicals unless they’re very harsh and corrosive.

Is tantalum suitable for wedding or engagement bands?

Absolutely! Not only are tantalum rings long-lasting, hypoallergenic, and resizable, but they also are unique in their rarity, weight, and look.

How does tantalum compare to other ring materials like titanium or tungsten?

Among the three, tantalum is comparable in durability but carries the highest prices. Compared to titanium, tantalum has comparable durability, slightly darker coloring, lower density, and a higher price range. Compared to tungsten, tantalum is less resistant to scratches but more resistant to shattering. Tantalum is also grayer and less reflective with a steeper price point.

How do you care for tantalum rings?

Clean your tantalum ring by soaking it in a mixture of water and mild soap for a few minutes, scrubbing gently with a soft toothbrush, and rinsing off any residue. Store tantalum rings in a fabric-lined container separately from harder metals or gems.

You can shower with a tantalum ring on and even polish it at home with a soft cloth, nylon pad, or cream metal polish.

Tantalized by Tantalum Rings?

Whether you’re choosing a ring to reflect your lifelong commitment to a spouse or just searching for a durable accessory, tantalum rings are a great way to go. These impressive rings offer lifelong strength and gorgeous luster at a great price!

Ready to shop? Browse our collection of rings and wedding bands!