Carbon fiber rings are currently a trend in the world of jewelry, especially for those looking for something different from traditional wedding rings. Well, it is one of the alternative materials in jewelry that fuses fashion and technology in affordable, beautiful and highly resistant pieces. Although it also brings other attributes that, frankly, we did not know we needed.
If you are considering buying carbon fiber rings, you will surely have some questions and doubts about it. So here are some of the lesser-known reasons why you should (or shouldn’t) buy carbon fiber rings.
What is carbon fiber?
Carbon fiber was invented by Thomas Edison about 150 years ago. However, it was only around the 1950s that the material as we know it today was developed as it was created in the US and later refined and improved by aerospace agencies. While carbon fiber can be made from a variety of materials, the most widely used material is polyacrylonitrile, also known as PAN.
Carbon fiber has numerous uses and is an extremely versatile material. It has only recently started to be used in jewelry, but is quickly setting itself apart as a great choice, especially for rings.
Technically, carbon fiber is not a metal, but a material made of tightly woven fibers. When you first put one on, you may notice that it feels different than metal rings.
Types of carbon fiber rings that we can find
Most carbon fiber rings on the market are a combination of metal and carbon fiber inlays. What this means is that a strip of carbon fiber is placed inside a slot in a metal ring. So if you notice that the parts of the ring that touch your finger are all metal, wearing such a ring would not feel any different than wearing other metal rings.
But if there is no metal, it means that the entire band is made of carbon fiber only. Naturally this would feel much lighter and the texture would be different than a metal ring.
Whether you choose a pure carbon fiber ring or an inlay ring is up to you. The good news is that this gives you many more color combinations, prices, and styles to choose from.
Carbon Fiber Ring: Pros
There are many advantages to this space age material. Here are some:
carbon fiber durability
Carbon fiber is one of the strongest materials used for wedding rings and can withstand rough wear and exposure without taking too much damage. While some metals tend to break or crack when dropped, such as tungsten or ceramic, carbon fiber does not. In fact, it could go over a carbon fiber ring and bounce back.
If your carbon fiber ring does get scratches and marks over time, these can be easily buffed out with fine sandpaper. It is extremely durable, making it perfect for people who lead busy lifestyles and use their hands a lot for work.
carbon fiber weight
Carbon fiber is known for being extremely light, so much so that you may not even notice you have a ring on. To put this in perspective, carbon fiber is about 3 times lighter than titanium, which itself is one of the lightest metals used for jewelry.
If you’re used to heavy rings like gold, platinum, or tungsten, this lightness may seem a bit unsettling at first. Most people find that as they get used to this lack of weight, they actually prefer it to a heavier ring.
Carbon fiber is hypoallergenic
Being hypoallergenic, carbon fiber is not known to cause skin problems for the wearer. This is an important point for people who have metal allergies and have reactions when their skin comes in contact with allergens like nickel, zinc, or cobalt. If you suffer from metal allergies, it may be a good idea to opt for a carbon fiber ring.
Carbon fiber styling options
Carbon fiber is extremely versatile and flexible and can be made from a variety of fiber types. This makes it perfect for creating different unique patterns and textures, allowing for a wide range of design options.
Rings can be polished to appear smooth and shiny like metal or textured to give the design more depth and an intriguing look. It can be etched and engraved for aesthetically pleasing designs.
As mentioned above, carbon fiber can be used in its pure form, but it is often combined with other metals for better styling options. While it’s common to use carbon fiber as an inlay in rings, you’ll also find carbon fiber rings often lined with metals and wood, either inside or out.
Appearance
The touch of black and modern high-tech material are light years ahead of traditional gold and platinum rings. If you want to get out of that traditional way for your wedding, nothing says modern like a carbon fiber ring.
Price
Carbon fiber rings are very reasonably priced, which makes them great if you’re on a budget (and who isn’t!). Depending on the quality of craftsmanship and materials used, these rings range from $50 to $2000. On average, you can get a beautiful ring for around $200.
Can be cut in case of emergencies
The problem with some durable metals like tungsten or ceramic is that they are very difficult to remove in an emergency and have to be broken. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, can be easily cut in an emergency.
Carbon fiber is conflict free
Some metals such as tantalum come from conflict regions and there is controversy surrounding the use of these metals. However, carbon fiber is conflict free and is also a sustainable option.
Carbon Fiber Rings: Cons
By now, you may be wondering: Does carbon fiber have any drawbacks? Unfortunately, there are a couple of things to consider before deciding if carbon fiber is the right choice for you.
resizing
Resizing carbon fiber rings is next to impossible and most jewelers will tell you straight up that it can’t be done. While this may not seem like a big factor, keep in mind that the size of people’s fingers changes and along the way that ring will start to slip or become too tight.
Since carbon fiber rings are not that expensive, you can always consider replacing a ring that no longer fits. Some retailers offer free resizing for up to a year, and others may have guarantees that cover ring size-related changes.
However, there is always an emotional bond with a wedding band, so if this is something you don’t want to part with, opt for a ring that can be resized. However, keep in mind that no metal will last forever and each has its pros and cons.
limited colors
Currently almost all carbon fiber rings on the market come in black. If you want more color options, this may not be the right material for you. Having said that, the combination of carbon fiber with colored metals like rose gold or yellow adds that extra pop of color and breaks up the monotony of the all-black ring.
Limited range of options
Because it is a relatively new material, its popularity continues to grow and the range of options may be limited. It’s hard to find carbon fiber rings at your local store, and even online, you won’t have as wide a range as you would for titanium, platinum or gold rings, for example. However, as demand increases, so will supply.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. If you want a durable, unique, lightweight, aerospace technology ring at a reasonable price, definitely give carbon fiber a try. However, if you are more inclined towards traditional styles and prefer something classic that has stood the test of time, go for gold or platinum.