I’ve got an upcoming (simple, very low-key) wedding and managed to put off getting a ring until the last moment (shoppings for jewelry is not really on my top 10 list). So I had pretty simple requirements; 1) silvery (which, since platinum is too expensive and you have to baby silver, I thought meant white gold), 2) affordable (over $400 really started me thinking about how much better other toys or travel sounded), 3) some sort of pattern or carving so it wasn’t just a boring band and 4) available within a couple weeks (me procrastinate?). After looking at about ten or so local jewelry shops, I was starting to get pretty depressed. Most of the rings were boring or really didn’t seem to look right (e.g. diamonds) and the few that I took a shine to either would take a month or more to resize/order or were way outside of what I felt like paying. Once I started running into the same rings in different shops (always suspiciously identically 50% off), I decided it was time to see what the internet had to offer.
After a bunch of googling, the online shops also seemed pretty generic and boring (although a bit cheaper). Then I started noticing the “alternative” metal rings. Apparently, rings made of silverish titanium or tungsten are gaining in popularity. Titanium is harder, lighter and a lot cheaper than gold and tungsten is apparently unscratchably hard (but shatterable) and a bit cheaper than gold. Having a ring made out of a cool metal instead of sissy precious metals sounded pretty cool (although maybe just a touch of classy metals might be good). But again a lot of the rings seemed sort of boring and/or expensive. The tungsten rings especially seem to have few choices and none with any good patterns or carving (I guess because they’re so hard to cut).
Then I found Boone Rings. Apparently a guy down in Georgia used to make titanium bike parts but decided to take his knowledge of titanium (and CNC machine) and switch to making rings. From his website, you can pick from about a hundred ring styles and then pick what metals to include in the ring, what curvature and width to make the ring and what sort of polish to finish the ring with. The idea of designing my own ring sounded pretty cool and a few of the various polishes seemed to scratch my itch for a pattern on the ring. So many choices led to analysis paralysis but I finally ended up deciding on a peened ring with palladium (pretty cool sounding fancy silverish metal) and white gold inlays. I also ordered a smaller peened white gold inlay one for the fiancee since she’s always worried about messing up her slightly fancy engagement ring and we thought it’d be kind of cool to have matching rings. Amazingly they arrived at my house 4 days later.
They sure look good. I like how the inlays are sort of hidden in the peened pattern.
I wasn’t sure what the ring widths looked like compared to fingers and I couldn’t get google to give me any good image of various widths on hands so for any similar googlers here is what 3mm ring and a 7mm ring look on fingers.
So if you’re looking for good looking (and extremely fast) custom rings with great customer service, I recommend Boone Rings.
Alex | 13-Jun-08 at 9:14 am | Permalink
Very cool, Mix! I love that texture on them.
Sean | 05-Mar-09 at 5:52 am | Permalink
We are specialized and reputable manufacturer in China of tungsten carbide and hi-tech ceramic jewelry, including tungsten carbide and ceramic rings, bracelets, watches and so on. OEM and clients designs also accepted. Because of we are manufactory, we can give you competed price compared with other trade company.
Buy Triton Tungsten Rings | 25-May-09 at 2:35 am | Permalink
Those look like couple rings, with how they are placed. I have actually heard that many new people are wanting to buy wedding rings that match.
Rick | 14-Sep-09 at 4:59 pm | Permalink
I am actually surprised that metals like titanium and tungsten are in such high demand. Neither tungsten nor titanium can be sized, so donโt gain or lose any weight! Then again, the styling of wedding bands created with these metals tends to be much different than more traditional designs created in platinum, palladium or gold.
If you are looking for additional alternative metals for wedding bands, ceramic and stainless steel are also options. If interested, you can see some here – http://www.wrightandlato.com/products.php?category=426.
Also, hereโs a guide to help you choose the right metal for your engagement ring, wedding band or wedding ring – http://www.novelldesignstudio.com/choosing_your_metal/index.php.
junkwes | 12-Nov-09 at 12:15 am | Permalink
They don’t even look like wedding rings to me.
marl | 08-Jan-10 at 1:35 pm | Permalink
hello, this ring is awesome…what metals were used and how did you describe the design that you wanted?
ScottS-M | 08-Jan-10 at 1:53 pm | Permalink
@marl
That Boone Rings has a bunch of designs and patterning for the precious metals. Some of those say a specific metal but it seemed like he’ll stick any combination of metal into any of the rings. If you’re more manufacturing knowledgeable, I think you could design your own patterns. Anyway send him an email if you’re curious, he was really friendly and replied right back to me when we were doing ours.
Tungsten Ring Guy | 26-Jul-10 at 1:58 pm | Permalink
These are definitely unique. I love that he was actually able to inlay the gold in that infinity pattern. We do a lot of that pattern at http://www.weddingringsforever.com but with a laser engraver on tungsten carbide, not actually inlaying the precious metal.
Mae Precious | 04-Oct-10 at 7:56 am | Permalink
Tungsten wedding bands should be added here as well! If you want quality and long lasting wedding rings then this is what you need. Great with personalization and quite durable, lasting for years.