Tungsten carbide rings have become increasingly popular in the modern jewelry industry. However, many people believe that these rings cannot be cut off in case of emergencies. This article aims to provide information on whether you can cut through tungsten carbide rings.
If you are looking for stylish, comfortable, and affordable rings with innovative and versatile modern designs, tungsten carbide rings are a perfect choice. These rings come from a chemical combination of tungsten, a chemical element on the periodic table, and carbon.
As a result, tungsten carbide rings are one of the most durable rings available in the market, with a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale.
The hardness and scratch-resistant nature of these rings have made many buyers shy away due to rumors that tungsten carbide rings cannot be cut off. So, can you cut through tungsten carbide rings?
Can you cut through tungsten carbide rings? (In an emergency)
Quick answer: you can not cut through tungsten carbide rings. But you can crack it with a tool.
As discussed above, tungsten carbide rings are the strongest metal jewelry rings available on the market. They are scratch-resistant, exceptionally durable, and corrosion-resistant, and they do not tarnish either.
Regardless of the material, any ring is removable in an emergency. Tungsten carbide rings contain the hardest metal on earth, which is scratch-resistant.
As a result, you will have to crack it off, rather than cut it off, like most metal rings. Hard metal rings, like tungsten carbide and ceramic rings, are easier and faster to crack off than cutting them.
Pro tips: you can not cut the tungsten rings, try to crack it with pressure. Read this post for more. 2 men’s wedding ring will break under pressure.
A regular hack saw, or wires cutter may not even put a dent on your tungsten carbide ring.
Alternatively, you may opt to use any locking pliers or a vice grip wrench to crack open the ring. More so, a rotary saw with a diamond-coated blade can cut through tungsten carbide rings in seconds.
How to cut tungsten carbide rings?
It is possible to cut through tungsten carbide rings. However, the traditional means of cutting rings may not apply to such rings.
Tungsten carbide is only damaged or scratched by using extreme measures, like abrasion from corundum or diamonds.
In the case of medical emergencies, medical professionals fracture tungsten carbide rings into small pieces using vice grip pliers or other ring cutting or vice devices.
Most hospitals have the necessary tools to remove such hard metal rings from your swollen finger. The vice grip pliers fracture the ring at separate points to allow the ring to fall off from the finger easily and in pieces.
1.Adjust the vice grip pliers’ mouth to fit the ring
The process of cutting tungsten carbide rings involves choosing the type of preferred equipment.
Often, many professionals prefer using vice grip pliers. Lock the mouth of the vice grip pliers onto the ring by squeezing the handles together. When locked, turn the handle knob in an anti-clockwise manner to open the mouth until it is larger than the ring’s outer diameter.
Turn the handle knob in a clockwise manner to tighten the grip, making the teeth of the pliers grasp the ring securely.
Make sure the knob is hand-tight, to prevent slipping and further injuring the affected finger.
Press the tab inside the handle to unlock the vice grip and release the ring.
Turn the knob at 180 degrees clockwise to adjust the mouth of the vice grip to ensure the distance in between will be smaller than the ring’s outer diameter, by at least 1-2 millimeters.
2.Crack the ring
Proceed to place the vice grip pliers around the ring and squeeze its handles until it locks up.
Although tungsten carbide rings do not bend, the opposite forces exerted by the vice grip pliers will crack the ring, causing it to fall off the wearer’s finger safely.
Safety Tips for readers who want to cut off their tungsten rings
1.Employ traditional removal methods first
Before opting to go to the emergency room for the removal of your tungsten carbide ring, you should first try removing it via the traditional methods, like lubrication, elevation, the string method, or even using a rubber band.
Lubricants, such as liquid soap, hand lotions, Vaseline, peanut butter, baby oil, or antibiotic ointment, are great ways of removing a stuck ring on a finger. However, make sure the area around the ring is not cut to prevent infecting it with germs; thus, resulting in further irritation.
The string method involves tying a string, oxygen mask strap, or dental floss around the swollen area of the finger for a couple of minutes, to reduce its size. Once the size of the finger reduces, the ring can slip off easily.
Slip the piece of dental floss or string under the stuck ring, preferably using a needle, while ensuring the bulk of the string is toward the fingertip. From the ring’s tip, wrap the string around your finger toward your fingertip until you reach over your knuckle.
Pull on the shorter end of the ring, the part under the stuck ring, and begin to unwind the string from your finger gently. Slide the string over your knuckle and pull the ring upward to release it. During this whole process, try to relax and slightly bend your finger at the knuckle.
Another method to remove a stuck tungsten carbide ring is to lift your hand above your head for a few minutes to alleviate the pressure. According to gravity and physics, this allows the movement of bodily fluids downwards from your swollen finger.
2.Sterilization
Sterilizing your equipment and finger before trying to remove any stuck ring from your finger is vital.
It prevents the spread of bacteria in the case of damaged skin. Luckily, tungsten carbide does not corrode easily, so any sterilization ointment you use will not affect it.
Conclusion
Despite the medical situation, it is possible to cut through tungsten carbide rings.
With the proper tools and equipment, it will take approximately fifteen minutes to remove tungsten carbide rings without any significant complications safely.
Tungsten carbide rings are strong and durable and can maintain their lustrous shin and appearance for a lifetime.
However, it is difficult to resize them. As such, monitor if your ring size changes over time, to ensure you make the necessary adjustments before you are forced to visit the emergency room.
For more tungsten rings posts, read here and here.
Tiger is a fashion&jewelry lover. He is also a fashion jewelry manufacturer that help thousands of small business to grow and also do business with some big fashion jewelry brands. He is a truly metal expert and he will share some information you are looking for.