Tungsten Talk & Metal Musings: The Larson Jewelers Blog

Nothing stops the groovin’, shakin’, and even grindin’ on the wedding dance floor faster than a bad wedding song. That’s why Larson Jewelers is on a mission to find the worst wedding song in the world (and ban it) so you can enjoy YOUR wedding without hearing a cluck of the chicken dance.

We’re asking that you submit one wedding song you want forbidden from wedding playlists forever. Just imagine going a whole June without hearing Don’t Stop Believin’, Shout, Butterfly Kisses, or the Hokey Pokey.

Now is your chance.  Comment below with the wedding song you want banned. You’ll never be asked to break it down to “Thriller” again and you could win one of the prizes below. Music to your ears, we’re sure!

The Prizes:

Couples can submit the song they despise the most for a chance to win. Singles are invited to enter too! If your song receives the most votes, you will win a $100 Apple gift card to fill up with all of your favorite tunes! If your song does not get chosen, you still have a chance to win a pair of Tungsten Rings and an iPod Touch for participating and voting.

How to Enter:

1. Comment with the name of the song, your first name and the first initial of your last name, and you’ve entered the contest. You’ll have three weeks to submit your entry.
2. Come back in three weeks to vote for the song you want to ban.

We will select 20 songs from all of your entries (at random) and post them on our blog in three weeks, so check back and see if your song made our list. Even if we didn’t choose your song, you can still win a pair of tungsten rings and an iPod touch.  Just vote for the song you hate most and spread the word to all your friends encouraging them to vote.  We’ll randomly select the winner from among those who pick the final worst wedding song (the one with the most votes). You can win a pair of Tungsten Rings and an iPod Touch!

The Worst Wedding Song in the World contest presented by Larson Jewelers starts on August 24, 2010 with the banned song announced on September 24, 2010. If your song is banned, then you will win a $100 Apple Gift Card!

Get your 1st entry now by commenting below and be sure to check back on September 13th for entry #2 and details on how to spread the word to ensure your song is banned forever.

It’s been reported that two contestants from the ABC series The Bachelor and The Bachelorette will be getting married to twins. They’re not sure if they will have a double wedding, but we think it would be the best idea ever. Not only could the brides get matching blue carbon fiber inlay tungsten wedding bands to match their grooms’ Canadian tuxedos, but we put together a slew of ideas that would make their wedding celebration not only memorable, but just as competitive as the battles the bachelorettes fought to fall in love:

• Groom Guessing Game – This would be a fun little game the brides could play. They would approach the altar one at a time and be presented with both grooms. Obviously, they wouldn’t know which groom was actually theirs, but they would be forced to take a guess. If they guessed correctly, they could win $10,000! But if they guessed wrong, they would be eliminated from the ceremony and forced to try again in six months.
• Battling Priests – Let’s assume the two brides both guessed the right groom. The next great thing would be having two priests reading from the Bible, but they would be battling each other to see who could recite the best passages. Each priest would be given half of the church as their audience; whoever makes the most people cry would automatically get a free ride to Heaven.
• Dueling wedding DJs – By far the greatest idea ever, dueling wedding DJs would be the same as dueling pianists. Two men on turntables duking it out, going hit-to-hit as they try and win the crowd over with the greatest 80’s and 90’s tunes. Just imagine grooving to “Ice Ice Baby” only to have “YMCA” cut in a cacophony of chaos. Awesome.
• Double wedding cake – Build a cake that resembles Helm’s Deep from The Two Towers. Need we say more?

As science has proven time and again, two is always better than one, so there’s no reason for these two newly engaged couples not to join forces and have the greatest wedding ever. C’mon, who doesn’t want dueling wedding djs! It’d be like that scene from West Side Story where the Jets battle the Sharks, except a lot more embarrassing!

We’re going to be perfectly honest with you. All that information you’ve read about the history of tungsten is not entirely accurate.

As it turns out, the real origin of tungsten carbide, which is that amazing metal wrapped around your finger, is a bit more mythical. In fact, we traveled over three continents just to find this document, and not everyone made it back alive (RIP Captain Thelonius Perridew III).

Here is the true story of Tungsten Carbide:

We were going to write an article about the 10 reasons you shouldn’t propose to your loved one at a theme park, then we found the following video and realized that pictures speak louder than words. Enjoy:

Disneyland Proposal Video

Save your tungsten wedding ring for another time. Another place. Preferably for when you’re not in an impromptu musical on Main Street.

Comment below with whether you think theme park proposals are a fairytale come true or should go down on the list of proposal mishaps.

You have probably never stopped to think why exactly you’re wearing that ring around your finger. As in, why are you wearing a ring? Why on your left hand? Why is it no longer on your ring finger? Wait–let’s hope you’re not asking yourself that last one. Check the kitchen sink…or under the couch.

Meanwhile, here are some answers to those other burning questions:

Why a ring?

The idea of using rings for wedding ceremonies began back in ancient Egypt, where a circle was seen as a symbol for eternity. Thus your love had no beginning or end, but lasted for all of time. Furthermore, the hole in the ring signified a gateway into the unknown.

And you thought it was merely a piece of jewelry that would be hard to lose–speaking of which, if it’s not under the couch, check the bed stand.

The ring hasn’t always been a smooth circle you’re use to seeing. In Greek and Roman times, the ring has knobs to resemble a key, which was given to the bride more for its significance than its ability to actually unlock anything. Some Hebrew weddings included a ring that was shaped to resemble a Jewish temple and was so heavy and uncomfortable that it was only used for the ceremony then left at the synagogue.

Why on the left hand ring finger?

The placement of the wedding ring has changed throughout history. Not only was the ring worn on the right hand in several parts of Europe, but during Elizabethan days it was common for women to wear their wedding ring on their thumb. Some speculate that it is placed on the left hand because people are naturally right handed, and when facing their spouse, are prone to grab their left hand. As for the ring finger, it was believed in ancient times that there was a vein in your ring finger that went straight to your heart.

Why are they made of metal?

Before metallurgy was discovered, rings were mostly made of ivory, bone or leather, among other primitive materials. However when people realized how durable and long lasting metals were, they begin switching to iron, silver and gold. Rome took to iron as a symbol of love’s strength, while Italy saw a surge in silver wedding rings during the renaissance. The Irish believed it was bad luck to have a ring that was anything but gold, while these days we have rings in all types of metals, including tungsten.

So there you have it. Turns out that ring  has a couple thousand years of tradition to it. And if you’re still searching for the one you lost, well, you’re letting history down.

You probably love that ring you’re wearing. But did you know that your ring could also be used to send rockets into space? Or that you could eat it and be totally fine. Not that your spouse would be the biggest fan of that idea…or your doctor for that matter. Here is a little run down about some of your favorite metals:

Tungsten

History: Carl Wilhelm Scheele, who at some point in his life must have broken a mirror by punting a black cat into it, was the first person to discover tungsten in 1781, when he hypothesized that a metal could be made by reducing tungstic acid, which he had also just discovered. But it was Jose and Fausto Elhuyar who were given the official credit for its discovery when two years later they isolated the metal through Scheele’s process. Ouch.

Other Uses:  With a high melting point and the ability to retain its strength at high temperatures, tungsten had found a use in many everyday applications, including light bulbs, cathode-ray tubes and even rocket engine nozzles.

Gold

History: Gold has been around as long as people have had the ability to think about how awesome it’d look covering their bodies, dating all the way back to 4000 BC. Since then it’s played an important role in just about every major civilization, from the Egyptians, who used it to create artifacts, to modern day Switzerland, where they sprinkle it in their schnapps.

Other Uses: Other than being edible, which means you could make your small intestine worth more than the rest of your body,  gold has a variety of uses. Clothing, medicine, it is even used in electronic warfare planes. Stay classy US Navy.

Platinum

History: It’s known that platinum was being used by people in Ecuador way before Europeans got a hold of it. However it was Charles Wood and Antonio de Ulloa who are both credited with its discovery during the 1740’s.

Other Uses: Platinum is mostly used for vehicle emission control devices. Other uses include oxygen sensors and electronics.

Palladium

History: In 1803, William Hyde Wollaston discovered Palladium in ore found in South America through a chemical reaction involving sodium hydroxide and ammonium chloride.

Other Uses: Catalyst converters tend to take up the largest use of Palladium. What is a catalyst converter you ask? Well a catalyst converter takes toxic emissions and turns it into less toxic emissions. They’re mostly used in vehicle exhaust systems, which is why you don’t instantly pass out or begin hallucinating when you walk behind cars. Although that would make walking through parking lots so much more enjoyable.

Tungsten and Palladium could be considered the odd couple when it comes to wedding ring metals. They are not nearly as popular as gold and platinum, but they’re both outstanding choices for your wedding band. If you had to choose between these two oddities, which one would be the better bet?

Let’s find out in this metal match up.

Tungsten: Tough and affordable.

But is it too tough?

Oh the two metals, tungsten is not only heavier, but also more scratch resistant. The Mohs Scale of Hardness, which measures a rings resistance to scratches using a scale between 1 and 10, rates tungsten as an 8 and 9, right behind a solid diamond. Palladium on the other hand rates a 5, so it’s more susceptible to scratching.

Tungsten tip: Because tungsten is a more common metal, it is also more affordable than palladium, however its inability to bend means a diamond cannot be set into the ring without a bezel.

Palladium: Pure and Rare.

But not as tough as tungsten.

Palladium is a lighter metal whose white color makes it look similar to white gold and platinum. Its purity also means it doesn’t need to be maintained, unlike white gold which needs to be re-plated with rhodium occasionally. Its rarity makes it a more expensive metal.

Conclusion: It would be unfair to say one of these metals is better than the other, as it comes to personal preference. If you’re looking for a ring with a heavier, more luxurious feel that will be difficult to damage, tungsten wedding bands are the way to go. However, if you want something that is lighter and more elegant, but won’t be as resistant to the powers that be, go for palladium.

Every guy wants to propose to their girlfriend in a memorable way. This leads to men trying some extravagant and stupid stunts. Sometimes they work, but sometimes they don’t. Here are a few things to think about before you go jumping out of an airplane to profess your love, only to find out you’ve forgotten the parachute.

Make sure it’s safe

People love proposing on the beach, but that could lead to some pretty unfortunate outcomes, like being swept out to sea, encountering a band of pirates, or killing over 60 turtles. That was the case for man on Hilton Head Island, who made a giant heart out of 150 luminarias, which are bags with lit candles placed inside, then left them on the beach after he had successfully proposed to his girlfriend.  Unbeknownst to the couple, a group of turtle hatchlings saw the lights and became disoriented, leading to their death.  Talk about a mood killer.

Hide the ring. Really well.

Probably the most common trick in the book is hiding the ring somewhere they would never expect it. As it turns out, you don’t need to worry about your girlfriend finding the ring as much as airport security. This was true for a man who several years ago, was stopped by airport security because they found a suspicious dark box in his carry on luggage. Turns out it was an engagement ring that he was going to surprise his then girlfriend with during a cruise in the Caribbean. Instead, he decided to propose to her right there.  She said yes, but wouldn’t you rather pop the question in paradise, rather than the 7^th circle of hell?

And finally–Be sure she loves you back

This may sound a bit obvious, but it’s something to think about, especially if you’re going to propose  with a tungsten ring in public. Or on live TV, like this guy:

Source: brideweddingspeech.co.cc

When all the vows have been said, the kiss has been smooched, and everyone has moved on to the reception, there is the likely possibility you will have to give a speech. Whether you’re the groom, the bride, or one of the many bridesmaids or groomsmen, the wedding speech can seem pretty daunting. But follow these steps, and you’ll be winning over your fellow friends and family in no time.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Unless you’re a professional speaker, or have the wit and quickness of Robin Williams, chances are you can’t improvise an entire speech. So your best bet is to write down your speech well in advance and practice giving it to anyone willing to listen. Your friend, your dog–yes, even you in a mirror counts (just try to remember that the person on the other side doesn’t exist).

Keep It Clean

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that along with your best friends and co-workers, you’re surrounded by family. That includes your 83-year-old grandmother who gets into a fit whenever she hears the word ‘crap’. So rather than take the risks of offending those you love, try to keep from using harsh language or rude/sexual comments. We know what a wedding implies; you don’t need to paint the picture for us.

Don’t Let a Buzz Turn Into a Bender

A lot of people will have a drink or two before giving a big speech to ease the nerves. However, there’s definitely a limit to how loose you want those nerves to be. No matter how funny it may be to you to be stumbling around and knocking over drinks, rest assured everyone else in the room won’t be feeling the same way. Especially if you’re the one who just got married.

It’s Not a Five Minute Stand-Up Bit

It’s fun to rag on your friends and family, tell mildly embarrassing stories, or be goofy in general. But don’t forget why everyone is gathered at the banquet hall. They are there to see the joining of two people who are in love. So while you may want to begin your speech with a funny anecdote, you should think about being a bit more serious and down-to-earth towards the end of the speech. Start them with a laugh, but leave them in tears…of joy, obviously.

These are just a few of the steps to take into account when coming up with your speech. Follow them, and you can end up wowing the crowd like this guy. Get those tear ducts ready:

A few years ago, when Tungsten was relatively unheard of, people always compared tungsten to titanium to show off its fabulous traits and characteristics. These days, the “new kid on the block” of the wedding ring world is palladium. More often than not, people are using platinum as the metal to compare to palladium wedding bands and palladium rings.

While palladium isn’t a newly discovered metal, it has been only recently used on a commercial scale for jewelry production due to a need for an alternative to prohibitively expensive platinum. Palladium costs about a quarter of the price of platinum.

Platinum, Gold and Palladium: The Ultimate Throw Down

When two metals are compared, it’s usually to show how different they are.  In the case of palladium and platinum, though, a comparison really only shows how similar the metals are. This is particularly noticeable in these metals’ color, hardness and weight.

Platinum and palladium come from the same family of metals, making them “cousins.” Therefore, the metals are more similar than they are different. Both metals are the same color. If they were placed side by side, people cannot tell one from the other based on color. Both metals are the whitest metals you can use in jewelry. They both will stay the same color even if scratched. White gold, on the other hand, is plated with a white metal and will show a yellow hue when scratched. Palladium never needs to be re-plated to keep its color.

Being from the same family also means both metals are equally as hard and scratch resistant. This hardness means palladium rings are much more pure than other metals used in jewelry. Palladium jewelry is 95% pure palladium. Gold is so soft that it has to be mixed with cheaper metals to make it hard enough to use in jewelry. 14k Gold is less than 60% pure gold. The purity of palladium makes it hypoallergenic, as it does not contain any nickel (unlike white gold) which can cause allergies.

Domed Palladium Ring by Benchmark

Just about the only difference between palladium and platinum is weight. Palladium is about half the weight of platinum. This means if you have two rings of the same style, same width and same size, the palladium one will weigh about half the weight of the platinum one.

Some people see platinum’s heavier weight as an advantage. I beg to differ. If both metals are the same color and same hardness, except one weighs more, then what you are really getting is two identical rings that weigh differently. Precious metals are sold by weight, so that means an ounce of palladium is more material than an ounce of platinum. Add to the fact that platinum already costs more than palladium and you get a very small amount of platinum at a high price tag. So, I say, “Why pay for weight, when you are really after color and strength?” No one will see the extra weight that you paid for. They will only see the beauty and durability of the jewelry you wear.

After looking at all the characteristics between platinum and palladium, we really see how similar, rather than different, the two metals really are.