The Difference Between Tantalum and Platnium
Deciding between Platinum and Tantalum? Both are stunning metals that are perfect for your forever ring. In this guide, we'll go over in detail the differences between these metals like weight and color, to price and durability.
Pro's and Con's Overview
If you'd like the quick comparison between these two metals, then start here:
Tantalum Pro's
- Hypoallergenic
- Shatterproof
- Can be resized
- Very strong
- Resistant to Corrosion
- Cheaper than Platinum
Tantalum Con's
- Not 100% scratch-resistant
- Very conductive (not good if you're an electrician)
Platinum Pro's
- Considered to be hypoallergenic
- Heavier in weight
- Can be re-sized
- Precious luxury metal
Platinum Con's
- Most expensive due to high-density precious metal
- Not scratch-resistant
Now let's dive a bit deeper into these two metals.
What is Platinum?
Platinum is a chemical element with the symbol Pt. It happens to be one of the rarest metals within the Earth's crust - up to 3 times more rare than gold. It has exceptional corrosion resistance, even at high temperatures, and is one of the least reactive metals there is.
Platinum is silvery-white and shiny. Due to its brilliance, durability, and rarity, Platinum is one of the most sought-after metals for men's wedding bands.
What about Tantalum?
Tantalum is a chemical element with the symbol Ta. It's a rare, hard, lustrous metal that is most often extracted from something called ore columbite-tantalite. It has a blue-grayish tint in its unprocessed state. The silvery shine seen in most rings is achieved by polishing the metal.
Tantalum, like other metals, develops a thin but substantial protective oxide coating when exposed to the environment (Ta2O5). The oxide layer acts as a barrier against further corrosion of the underlying metal by adhering firmly to the metal's surface. Its strong resistance to wear makes it a great metal for a wedding band meant to last a lifetime.
Color Differences
Both of these materials can be found most often in a silver or grey color. Platinum will typically be lighter and more silver in color than tantalum. It will also typically be shinier and have a more polished look.
Tantalum is much more grey in color. Some even notice subtle shades of blue. You will also find more texture variation in tantalum rings. Many people enjoy tantalum rings due to their rugged looks often achieved from imperfect textures in the ring.
Now here are a few examples of tantalum bands:
Now here are a few examples of platinum bands:
Comfort Fit Platinum Band from bluenile.com
Price
One of the bigger differences between these two metals is price. Because of platinum's rarity, it is one of the more expensive metals you will come across. Tantalum, on the other hand, is very affordable and is more in the price range of metals such as Tungsten and Zirconium.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $400 - $1,200 for a tantalum wedding band.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000-$4,000 for a Platinum wedding band.
Tantalum is slightly more expensive than materials such as titanium, stainless steel, and ceramic. But much more budget-friendly than precious metals such as gold and platinum.
Regardless of what metal you like, we are here to help you save. Shop platinum and tantalum rings at manlybands.com and Get $75 off with code: MANLY75
Durability and Strength
Overall, these two metals are both very strong. You won't need to worry about significant dents or dings in these metals. However, Platinum is a softer metal than Tantalum and will be more prone to scratches. It is likely over time that a platinum ring will show slight signs of wear and tear through the years. But many people prefer this as it gives the ring a natural look.
Tantalum is very scratch resistant (although not 100%) and very durable. You will be less likely to see significant dents or scratches in a tantalum ring.
Allergy Proneness
Both Tantalum and Platinum are hypoallergenic metals. So you shouldn't have to worry about any irritation on the skin!
If you know that you are allergic to Nickel, then both these metals will work for you.
The Philosopher Dark Tantalum Ring from manlybands.com
The Mason Tantalum Ring from manlybands.com
Weight
Both of these metals are above average when it comes to weight. Tantalum will be slightly heavier than Platinum. But both rings will be heavier than other common metals such as gold, titanium, and zirconium. Tantalum will be slightly lighter than Tungsten.
Now when it comes to these metals in a wedding band, we're talking grams here. Not pounds. So neither of these metals are going to significantly weigh you down.
But you can feel a slight difference when comparing to a light material such as titanium.
Some people like a sturdier, heavier feel in a ring. While others prefer to have the lightest ring possible. So at the end of the day, the weight you want to feel in your ring is totally up to preference!
Scratch Resistance
As mentioned previously, Tantalum is highly scratch resistant. It can get scratched, but it will take a pretty hard object. Platinum, on the other hand, is somewhat prone to scratches. It isn't as soft as gold, but it is not considered a hard metal. Platinum falls around 4 on the Mohs hardness scale. For comparison, gold sits around a 2.5, while a diamond is a 10.
Over the 40+ year lifetime of a Platinum ring, you will see scratches on the ring. So if you work in a trade that puts your ring in some tough situations (think mechanic or construction worker) and you really do not want scratches on your ring, then Tantalum will be a better choice.
With that being said, enjoy the character scratches can add to a ring over time!
Resizing
The great thing about these two metals is that they can be re-sized. Re-sizing a platinum ring can take a bit more labor than other metals, so expect to pay a bit more for re-sizing. But it can be re-sized nonetheless.
Conclusion
As you probably noticed, Tantalum and Platinum share a lot of similarities. They are similar in color, weight, and strength. They are both hypoallergenic and can both be re-sized.
The biggest difference between these rings is their rarity. Platinum is a much rarer metal and feels more luxurious. That does come with a price though. So at the end of the day, choosing between a platinum and tantalum wedding band will likely come down to how big your budget is.
If you have the budget for platinum, then go with platinum. It's an awesome metal and will hold its value over time. However, if platinum isn't in your wheelhouse then Tantalum is great option too! There are some really cool-looking Tantalum wedding bands out there.
