Tantalum Rings: What You Need to Know

What Is Tantalum?  

Tantalum is a very rare blue-gray metal. Its deep, masculine color makes it a popular choice for men’s wedding bands. Tantalum is hypoallergenic, so it’s a great option for someone with metal allergies or sensitive skin. 

With a hardness of 6.5 on the Mohs scale, it is very scratch-resistant. Tantalum wedding bands are ideal for those with an active lifestyle since they are extremely durable. 

An advantage of tantalum wedding rings is that they are very affordable and can easily be resized. (Some alternative metals like tungsten cannot be resized.) Below is a cost comparison of a tantalum wedding ring, a white gold wedding ring, and a platinum wedding ring.  

​Men’s 7mm Tantalum Wedding Ring - $400 ​

​Men's 7mm Domed Comfort-fit Wedding Ring in 14kt White Gold - $965 ​

​Men’s 7mm Domed Comfort-fit Wedding Ring in Platinum - $1,865 ​

Tantalum is also engravable, so you can put a special message on the inside of your band. At Ritani, we offer engraving (and one resizing) for free.  

Tantalum Wedding Bands vs Gold Wedding Bands  

By now, you know that tantalum is far less expensive than gold. Another advantage of tantalum is that it is much harder than gold – gold only has a hardness of 2 to 3 on the Mohs scale! 

Tantalum never requires extra maintenance, unlike white gold wedding bands. Over time, white gold rings will need to be replated with rhodium. Rhodium is what gives white gold its lustrous, silver appearance. Without rhodium, your white gold ring will look duller. Rose gold and yellow gold do not need to be replated.  

As discussed earlier, tantalum is hypoallergenic. Gold wedding rings (particularly rose gold and white gold) contain larger quantities of metals like nickel and copper, which are extremely common allergens. Those with metal allergies should stay away from white or rose gold rings. 

Often, when buyers are searching for an engagement ring or wedding ring, they question the resale value of the ring. Since tantalum is newer to the market, it's not really known whether it has resale value. However, with gold, you'll get about 70% to 80% of the gold’s melt value. 

If you’re someone who embraces tradition, you may prefer a gold or platinum wedding ring, as these are classic choices and tantalum is a modern choice. 

Tantalum Wedding Bands vs Platinum Wedding Bands 

Both platinum and tantalum are excellent choices for those with active lifestyles. But believe it or not, tantalum is even harder than platinum, which only has a hardness of 4-4.5 on the Mohs scale! This means that tantalum can handle wear and tear better than platinum. 

Like tantalum, platinum is also hypoallergenic. However, the price point of tantalum over platinum makes it a more desirable choice. But in the long run, like gold, platinum has proven to have greater resale value than tantalum. 

Keep in mind that since tantalum rings are newer to the jewelry world, jewelers tend to carry more styles of gold or platinum wedding bands than tantalum ones, so it may be easier for you to find a gold or platinum ring that you love. Most jewelers will not create custom tantalum wedding rings, so if you want a custom band, you’ll need to choose a traditional precious metal. 

Are Tantalum Rings Safe?  

Tantalum rings are hypoallergenic and can be cut off easily in an emergency. 

How to Clean a Tantalum Ring 

Tantalum can be cleaned with everyday household items, which will save you a trip to the jeweler. Scrub your ring using a soft toothbrush or cloth with warm water and a few drops of mild soap. Let it air dry, or pat it dry with a cloth. Never clean your ring over an open drain – you don’t want to accidentally drop it down the drain!  

Ready to find the perfect tantalum ring?