Tungsten
Tungsten is an extremely dense gray metal used in rings, weights, tools, electrodes, cutting materials, and high-temperature applications.
Tungsten properties at a glance
| Type | Metals & Alloys |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | W |
| Mohs hardness | 7.5 |
| Luster | metallic |
| Streak | Gray |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Ductile to uneven |
| Specific gravity | 19.25 |
| Transparency | opaque |
| Common colors | Dark gray, Steel gray, Silver-gray |
| Rarity | common |
Geology & background
Tungsten is refined from tungsten ores such as wolframite and scheelite, then sintered, alloyed, or machined into dense metal products.
Tungsten became important for light bulb filaments, cutting tools, high-temperature alloys, and dense industrial materials.
How to identify Tungsten
- Look for a dark gray to steel-gray metal.
- Tungsten is unusually heavy for its size.
- Polished tungsten rings often have a hard, mirror-like gray shine.
- Tungsten carbide can be very scratch resistant but not easily bent.
Where Tungsten is found
Tungsten is manufactured, refined, recycled, or traded worldwide; verify grade, purity, and origin from markings, documentation, or provenance when available.
How much is Tungsten worth?
| Entry-level specimen | $5 |
|---|---|
| Typical collector specimen | $60 |
| Premium specimen | $600+ |
Value depends mostly on the object, purity or alloy grade, weight, brand, condition, markings, and whether it is jewelry, hardware, a coin, a tool, or a raw material sample.
Common uses
- Rings
- Weights
- Cutting tools
- Electrodes
- High-temperature parts
Interesting facts
- Tungsten feels very heavy for its size.
- Tungsten carbide rings are hard and scratch resistant but can be brittle.
- The chemical symbol W comes from wolfram, an older name connected to tungsten ores.
Care & safety
Tungsten can scratch, dent, tarnish, corrode, or lose its surface finish depending on the alloy, coating, and use wear.
Check sharp edges. Manufactured metal objects can have sharp edges, burrs, broken points, or worn plating; handle damaged pieces carefully.
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