Entropy in action
Like all things in the universe moving toward a disordered state, rings are subject to wear and tear too. Some materials more than others. This information will help you set your expectations, learn about the pros/cons and decide on a material that works for you.
TITANIUM
WHITE/YELLOW/ROSE GOLD
PLATINUM 950
SILVER
Black Zirconium
TUNGSTEN CARBIDE
What will happen to these metals?
Brushed finishes will get shinier over time as the brushed finish is burnished from daily wear.
Polished finishes will dull over time.
All can be refinished to the original condition.
What will happen to this metal/ceramic hybrid?
Black zirconium is a metal with a ceramic outer layer. This layer is highly resistant to scratches due to a hardness level approaching sapphire. Average daily wear is unlikely to cause scratches or surface finish changes. The finish whether brushed/matte or polished will not change significantly over time as it is locked in by the ceramic.
The downside is if the outer ceramic layer is damaged, which is possible from hard, abrasive materials, it cannot be re-finished to the original condition. If scratched, you are stuck with that scratch unfortunately.
Tungsten Carbide is a unique case. It has a hardness that is just below diamond, making it the most scratch resistant metal here.
It is essentially scratch proof.
As always, there’s a downside. For a metal to be scratch proof, it has to be extremely hard. Hardness makes things brittle, like glass. So, a hard drop on a hard surface such as concrete or tiles can cause this metal to chip or crack in a non-repairable way.
Up to that point though, it will not scratch at all.
They are more affordable than all other options, so if you were happy to replace it at some point if an unfortunate breakage occurred, then this metal should be considered. This is a subjective choice that depends on how you look at the sentimentality of a wedding ring.