If you find a ring made from this Metal, ya might want to hold onto it

[Sand Swinger]

If any of you find rings that aren’t gold or silver, don’t immediately write them off as junk. Check to see if the ring is made from Tungsten, and if so, ya just might want to hold onto it. The Tungsten market is very quiet and flies below most people’s radar. Like Silver, Tungsten is one of the most critical and highly strategic metals for the U.S. and ranks in the Top 10 minerals with the highest economic and supply chain disruption risks.

The severe strategic vulnerability stems from a total lack of domestic mining along with extreme foreign reliance. 3 countries, China, Russia and North Korea control 90% of global Tungsten extraction and processing, and China alone dominates about 80% of global production. So, let’s see, Tungsten is a critical & strategic metal for the U.S., but almost all of Tungsten’s extraction & production is controlled by 3 countries that don’t like us, and that I’m sure would just love to cut off our supply. China has already started restricting the export for the majority of their Silver. And, after all, those 3 countries aren’t on our “closest allies” list. Let that sink in.

Tungsten has the highest melting point of all pure metals along with unmatched density, so it’s more difficult and expensive to melt into rings, bars, etc. The unique physical properties of Tungsten make it practically irreplaceable for the U.S. Dept of Defense. It’s also been nicknamed the “Teeth of Industry”, as without Tungsten, manufacturing in the U.S. would grind to a halt.

To tell if you’ve found a Tungsten ring, look inside the band. Tungsten uses a different marking scheme than Gold and Silver, so you won’t find a number inside the band, like 925 for Silver or 585 for 14k Gold. Instead, it will be stamped with one of the following identifiers inside the band:

• TUNGSTEN: The full word is the most common industry standard.
• TUNGSTEN CARBIDE: Signifies the ring is made from the highly scratch-resistant jewelry alloy (tungsten mixed with carbon).
• TC: The abbreviated shorthand for Tungsten Carbide.

The price of Tungsten for a 1oz bar is currently $22 at Luciteria Science: https://luciteria.com/products/tungsten-9995-1-oz-bar.
JM Bullion also sells the 1oz Luciteria Science Tungsten bars, but they’re currently out of stock.

Interestingly, even though the current price of Tungsten is currently below Silver, Tungsten’s price has quietly been rising and has increased 10x since 2025. And since the metal is such a strategic and critical resource, what do ya think the price will continue doing?

 

[Blak bart]

If any of you find rings that aren’t gold or silver, don’t immediately write them off as junk. Check to see if the ring is made from Tungsten, and if so, ya just might want to hold onto it. The Tungsten market is very quiet and flies below most people’s radar. Like Silver, Tungsten is one of the most critical and highly strategic metals for the U.S. and ranks in the Top 10 minerals with the highest economic and supply chain disruption risks.

The severe strategic vulnerability stems from a total lack of domestic mining along with extreme foreign reliance. 3 countries, China, Russia and North Korea control 90% of global Tungsten extraction and processing, and China alone dominates about 80% of global production. So, let’s see, Tungsten is a critical & strategic metal for the U.S., but almost all of Tungsten’s extraction & production is controlled by 3 countries that don’t like us, and that I’m sure would just love to cut off our supply. China has already started restricting the export for the majority of their Silver. And, after all, those 3 countries aren’t on our “closest allies” list. Let that sink in.

Tungsten has the highest melting point of all pure metals along with unmatched density, so it’s more difficult and expensive to melt into rings, bars, etc. The unique physical properties of Tungsten make it practically irreplaceable for the U.S. Dept of Defense. It’s also been nicknamed the “Teeth of Industry”, as without Tungsten, manufacturing in the U.S. would grind to a halt.

To tell if you’ve found a Tungsten ring, look inside the band. Tungsten uses a different marking scheme than Gold and Silver, so you won’t find a number inside the band, like 925 for Silver or 585 for 14k Gold. Instead, it will be stamped with one of the following identifiers inside the band:

• TUNGSTEN: The full word is the most common industry standard.
• TUNGSTEN CARBIDE: Signifies the ring is made from the highly scratch-resistant jewelry alloy (tungsten mixed with carbon).
• TC: The abbreviated shorthand for Tungsten Carbide.

The price of Tungsten for a 1oz bar is currently $22 at Luciteria Science: https://luciteria.com/products/tungsten-9995-1-oz-bar.
JM Bullion also sells the 1oz Luciteria Science Tungsten bars, but they’re currently out of stock.

Interestingly, even though the current price of Tungsten is currently below Silver, Tungsten’s price has quietly been rising and has increased 10x since 2025. And since the metal is such a strategic and critical resource, what do ya think the price will continue doing?

Well good !! I have plenty kicking around !!🤙

 

[Digger54]

When used in rocket warheads (like the HIMARS) it can have a devastating effect on vehicles as well as enemy forces.

 

[pepperj]

Get out the CC out(calculator and calibers)

 

[russau]

I'm VERY glad to hear this BUT also worried in the same breath ! I like to weld and I've been going to auctions for sometime now and I buy up welding supplies and equipment . I've accumalated a good supply of T.I.G. rods for my welder . Now to ponder what do I do with these ? Probly keep them with my welder untill such a time when I.m just to beatup to weld any more and I'm almost there now !

 

[Sand Swinger]

When used in rocket warheads (like the HIMARS) it can have a devastating effect on vehicles as well as enemy forces.

Oorah! Yeah buddy, I was AMMO (Munitions) in the Air Force & built, transported & stored a lot of 2.75" rockets, missiles, MK82 500lb boom booms, 20mm & 30mm, and lots more toys. Our 20mm & 30mm armor piercing projectiles were loaded with Tungsten as it was the primary heavy-metal penetrator. We used a variety of warheads on the rockets like high explosive, white phosphorus (willie peat) to provide spotting/targeting for bombers, but WP also had a 2nd function because if that powder got on the skin of any enemies in the area, they’d have an extremely bad day.

But for some reason, my favorite warhead was the flechette, which was packed with 1,500 - 2,000 tiny darts. Don't know what it was but I just loved those tiny darts. The "official" purpose of the flechettes was to destroy tents and other similar structures, but of course, there was a 2nd function. Let’s just say I pity anyone standing in the area when thousands of tiny darts came raining down from the sky.

 

[Digger54]

Oorah! Yeah buddy, I was AMMO (Munitions) in the Air Force & built, transported & stored a lot of 2.75" rockets, missiles, MK82 500lb boom booms, 20mm & 30mm, and lots more toys. Our 20mm & 30mm armor piercing projectiles were loaded with Tungsten as it was the primary heavy-metal penetrator. We used a variety of warheads on the rockets like high explosive, white phosphorus (willie peat) to provide spotting/targeting for bombers, but WP also had a 2nd function because if that powder got on the skin of any enemies in the area, they’d have an extremely bad day.

But for some reason, my favorite warhead was the flechette, which was packed with 1,500 - 2,000 tiny darts. Don't know what it was but I just loved those tiny darts. The "official" purpose of the flechettes was to destroy tents and other similar structures, but of course, there was a 2nd function. Let’s just say I pity anyone standing in the area when thousands of tiny darts came raining down from the sky.

Small world. I was Aviation Ordnance in the Marine Corps so very familiar with Ordnance. Rockeyes and FAEs impressed me. I worked at all three levels at some point during my career... Storage and shipping, building and transporting, aircraft loading (FA18s). I got a chance to work with you AF ammo bubbas when I was stationed at Kadena 86-89. IYAOYAS.

 

[Sand Swinger]

Small world. I was Aviation Ordnance in the Marine Corps so very familiar with Ordnance. Rockeyes and FAEs impressed me. I worked at all three levels at some point during my career... Storage and shipping, building and transporting, aircraft loading (FA18s). I got a chance to work with you AF ammo bubbas when I was stationed at Kadena 86-89. IYAOYAS.

Same here, we rotated jobs, so I'd spend a few months building munitions & transporting a trailer full down to the flightline, then a few months storing and performing inspections, then a few months working in the trailer maintenance building. When we got to the flightline, we'd pull up next to an A-10 or F4, then the Load Toads would take over and load the weapons on the fighters. While they were doing that, we'd be in the pilot lounge scrounging around for some snacks.

The pilots had bunks up on the 2nd floor. There was a circular hole cut in the floor with a firefighter's pole mounted in the center. When they got an alert, they'd slide down the pole instead of having to run downstairs. Of course, as a curious young lad, I just had to go up to their bunkroom and slide down that pole. We always kept an eye out for any high-ranking officers, as we didn't want them to think we were skating, lest they'd send us out on the runway to do a FOD walk, lol.

Spent 3 years at Eielson in Fairbanks, AK, then curtailed my last year and Uncle Sam decided I needed to experience extremes, so I spent my last 10 months at Edwards in the Mojave Desert. From -55 to 112 degrees the day I pulled up to the gate. MP comes out, looks at me and asks, "are you OK Sarg?". All I was wearing was a pair of cotton workout shorts, but I was sweating profusely. I replied that it was friggin' hot. He reply's "you're doing a lot of sweating". So, I tell him to go look at the license plate on my van. He walks to the front of my van, looks down at my plate from Alaska, and I could hear him say "holy sh*t", lol.

 

[Digger54]

Same here, we rotated jobs, so I'd spend a few months building munitions & transporting a trailer full down to the flightline, then a few months storing and performing inspections, then a few months working in the trailer maintenance building. When we got to the flightline, we'd pull up next to an A-10 or F4, then the Load Toads would take over and load the weapons on the fighters. While they were doing that, we'd be in the pilot lounge scrounging around for some snacks.

The pilots had bunks up on the 2nd floor. There was a circular hole cut in the floor with a firefighter's pole mounted in the center. When they got an alert, they'd slide down the pole instead of having to run downstairs. Of course, as a curious young lad, I just had to go up to their bunkroom and slide down that pole. We always kept an eye out for any high-ranking officers, as we didn't want them to think we were skating, lest they'd send us out on the runway to do a FOD walk, lol.

Spent 3 years at Eielson in Fairbanks, AK, then curtailed my last year and Uncle Sam decided I needed to experience extremes, so I spent my last 10 months at Edwards in the Mojave Desert. From -55 to 112 degrees the day I pulled up to the gate. MP comes out, looks at me and asks, "are you OK Sarg?". All I was wearing was a pair of cotton workout shorts, but I was sweating profusely. I replied that it was friggin' hot. He reply's "you're doing a lot of sweating". So, I tell him to go look at the license plate on my van. He walks to the front of my van, looks down at my plate from Alaska, and I could hear him say "holy sh*t", lol.

Ever go gold nugget hunting in Alaska? I understand some folks go there detecting for nuggets in streambeds.

 

[Sand Swinger]

Small world. I was Aviation Ordnance in the Marine Corps so very familiar with Ordnance. Rockeyes and FAEs impressed me. I worked at all three levels at some point during my career... Storage and shipping, building and transporting, aircraft loading (FA18s). I got a chance to work with you AF ammo bubbas when I was stationed at Kadena 86-89. IYAOYAS.

Forgot to mention that one time when I was at Eielson, I got invited to fly on a training mission that involved firing the 2.75" rockets I had built and transported to the flightline. I got in the plane, strapped in, pilot hands me a barf bag, gives me a briefing, then asks me if I'd like to fire the rockets. Yes sir was my reply. This pilot was all business, totally serious as we flew out in the Alaskan wilderness to the training range. We'd fly past the range on our left, then he'd bank left to line up at the target. When he got his sights lined up, he'd yell "fire", and I'd push a button with my thumb, and a rocket would launch towards the target. Man, I'll never forget how the rocket would rock the wings when it left the pod.

After we fired all rockets, the pilot turned into Mr. Personality, looked at me and asked if I wanted to goof off for a couple hours. Yes sir, I sure would. So, we flew around Mt. McKinley, then anytime we spotted a bear or moose, we'd dive down low and buzz that poor creature, lol. Lots of great memories and good times during my service. I got to experience and see things that most people wouldn't believe.

 

[Sand Swinger]

Ever go gold nugget hunting in Alaska? I understand some folks go there detecting for nuggets in streambeds.

No, I didn't take my detector when I went in. In retrospect, I wish I would have spent some time either detecting or panning for gold. But as a young guy, if I wasn't working, I was spending time with my crew, aka, did a LOT of partying in those days after I discovered Bacardi 151, lol.

 

[Digger54]

Forgot to mention that one time when I was at Eielson, I got invited to fly on a training mission that involved firing the 2.75" rockets I had built and transported to the flightline. I got in the plane, strapped in, pilot hands me a barf bag, gives me a briefing, then asks me if I'd like to fire the rockets. Yes sir was my reply. This pilot was all business, totally serious as we flew out in the Alaskan wilderness to the training range. We'd fly past the range on our left, then he'd bank left to line up at the target. We he got his sights lined up, he'd yell "fire", and I'd push a button with my thumb, and a rocket would launch towards the target. Man, I'll never forget how the rocket would rock the wings when it left the pod.

After we fired all rockets, the pilot turned into Mr. Personality, looked at me and asked if I wanted to goof off for a couple hours. Yes sir, I sure would. So, we flew around Mt. McKinley, then anytime we spotted a bear or moose, we'd dive down low and buzz that poor creature, lol. Lots of great memories and good times during my service. I got to experience and see things that most people wouldn't believe.

We never got a chance to fly, but I did do some work details with the EOD guys and they let me fire off a few charges which was a kick.

 

[Sand Swinger]

We never got a chance to fly, but I did do some work details with the EOD guys and they let me fire off a few charges which was a kick.

Yeah buddy, I know exactly what you mean. Playing with the EOD guys was always a great time! At Eielson, EOD had their office at our bomb dump, so I knew those guys. One day, one of the EOD techs I knew called and asked me if I'd like to go with him to do a demonstration down at Ft. Wainwright, an Army base about 15 or so miles from us. Every year, they'd have an open house type festival, where civilians could come, bring their kids, see all kinds of apparatus, sit in a helicopter, watch demonstrations, that type of thing. So, I meet my guy over at the EOD building, and we load a large cannister of helium and large roll of det cord into an AF pickup truck, also loaded several large weather balloons. We get to the army base, and they instructed us to drive out and park near the runway in front of a large hanger.

They had bleachers set up in front of the hanger for the guests to sit and watch various demonstrations. We unloaded the truck, filled the weather balloon with helium, then wrapped the entire balloon with det cord and sent it a few hundred feet skyward. We attached a firing plunger to the end of the det cord and my buddy asked if I'd like to fire it off. Hell yeah, absofrigginlutly, lol. So, there's hundreds of people in the bleachers, we have a weather balloon wrapped with det cord flying several hundred feet above us, he hands me the firing plunger, I pull the pin, and the det cord ignited the helium in the balloon creating a HUGE fireball in the sky. Man, we both could feel the heat from that blast. The crowd went wild, kids really loved it, I loved it, what a great friggin' day thanks to my EOD buddy! 🎈

 

[Digger54]

Yeah buddy, I know exactly what you mean. Playing with the EOD guys was always a great time! At Eielson, EOD had their office at our bomb dump, so I knew those guys. One day, one of the EOD techs I knew called and asked me if I'd like to go with him to do a demonstration down at Ft. Wainwright, an Army base about 15 or so miles from us. Every year, they'd have an open house type festival, where civilians could come, bring their kids, see all kinds of apparatus, sit in a helicopter, watch demonstrations, that type of thing. So, I meet my guy over at the EOD building, and we load a large cannister of helium and large roll of det cord into an AF pickup truck, also loaded several large weather balloons. We get to the army base, and they instructed us to drive out and park near the runway in front of a large hanger.

They had bleachers set up in front of the hanger for the guests to sit and watch various demonstrations. We unloaded the truck, filled the weather balloon with helium, then wrapped the entire balloon with det cord and sent it a few hundred feet skyward. We attached a firing plunger to the end of the det cord and my buddy asked if I'd like to fire it off. Hell yeah, absofrigginlutly, lol. So, there's hundreds of people in the bleachers, we have a weather balloon wrapped with det cord flying several hundred feet above us, he hands me the firing plunger, I pull the pin, and the det cord ignited the helium in the balloon creating a HUGE fireball in the sky. Man, we both could feel the heat from that blast. The crowd went wild, kids really loved it, I loved it, what a great friggin' day thanks to my EOD buddy! 🎈

Cool! Should have had the announcer huff some of the helium for when they spoke to the crowd

 

[Paul Revere’s Ghost]

If any of you find rings that aren’t gold or silver, don’t immediately write them off as junk. Check to see if the ring is made from Tungsten, and if so, ya just might want to hold onto it. The Tungsten market is very quiet and flies below most people’s radar. Like Silver, Tungsten is one of the most critical and highly strategic metals for the U.S. and ranks in the Top 10 minerals with the highest economic and supply chain disruption risks.

The severe strategic vulnerability stems from a total lack of domestic mining along with extreme foreign reliance. 3 countries, China, Russia and North Korea control 90% of global Tungsten extraction and processing, and China alone dominates about 80% of global production. So, let’s see, Tungsten is a critical & strategic metal for the U.S., but almost all of Tungsten’s extraction & production is controlled by 3 countries that don’t like us, and that I’m sure would just love to cut off our supply. China has already started restricting the export for the majority of their Silver. And, after all, those 3 countries aren’t on our “closest allies” list. Let that sink in.

Tungsten has the highest melting point of all pure metals along with unmatched density, so it’s more difficult and expensive to melt into rings, bars, etc. The unique physical properties of Tungsten make it practically irreplaceable for the U.S. Dept of Defense. It’s also been nicknamed the “Teeth of Industry”, as without Tungsten, manufacturing in the U.S. would grind to a halt.

To tell if you’ve found a Tungsten ring, look inside the band. Tungsten uses a different marking scheme than Gold and Silver, so you won’t find a number inside the band, like 925 for Silver or 585 for 14k Gold. Instead, it will be stamped with one of the following identifiers inside the band:

• TUNGSTEN: The full word is the most common industry standard.
• TUNGSTEN CARBIDE: Signifies the ring is made from the highly scratch-resistant jewelry alloy (tungsten mixed with carbon).
• TC: The abbreviated shorthand for Tungsten Carbide.

The price of Tungsten for a 1oz bar is currently $22 at Luciteria Science: https://luciteria.com/products/tungsten-9995-1-oz-bar.
JM Bullion also sells the 1oz Luciteria Science Tungsten bars, but they’re currently out of stock.

Interestingly, even though the current price of Tungsten is currently below Silver, Tungsten’s price has quietly been rising and has increased 10x since 2025. And since the metal is such a strategic and critical resource, what do ya think the price will continue doing?

Just found another one today. Every time I do I think… that should have been hold. People sold all their gold rings and replaced them with cheaper metals. I confuse them with titanium. I was just laughing to myself again this morning. My neighbor asked if I could look at a detector he bought a while back and I showed him a few rings I’d found that week. He said “oh nice. Titanium .” My wife asked “how do you know that?” He said “uhhh. Cuz it says titanium inside?” 😂. Good info. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Paul Revere’s Ghost]

I'm VERY glad to hear this BUT also worried in the same breath ! I like to weld and I've been going to auctions for sometime now and I buy up welding supplies and equipment . I've accumalated a good supply of T.I.G. rods for my welder . Now to ponder what do I do with these ? Probly keep them with my welder untill such a time when I.m just to beatup to weld any more and I'm almost there now !

I’ve had my brothers o y & acetylene tanks and torches in my shed since he died. I finally decided to give them away last month. Of course last week I got my sand scoop snagged on a lobster trap completely buried in sand and tore the leading edge and another hole pulling it free. It’s stainless, and I had a bunch of fluxed brazing rod so I tried fixing it with MAPP gas. I got the leading edge done and tested it today. Think twice before you deep 6 your welding stuff.

 

[Paul Revere’s Ghost]

Just found another one today. Every time I do I think… that should have been hold. People sold all their gold rings and replaced them with cheaper metals. I confuse them with titanium. I was just laughing to myself again this morning. My neighbor asked if I could look at a detector he bought a while back and I showed him a few rings I’d found that week. He said “oh nice. Titanium .” My wife asked “how do you know that?” He said “uhhh. Cuz it says titanium inside?” 😂. Good info. Thanks for sharing.

Ok. What’s going on? I found another one this morning. These things are like dog poop. They’re everywhere. I notice two things. Today’s has a name in it and it’s at least double the weight of the one from a few days ago. And a size smaller. It was only a half scoop down if that, in pebbles. What it had in common was they both were iffy signals. If targets weren’t so few and far between I might have passed up digging them both. Once they were dug they sounded solid. So here’s my theory. They are so wide I think they don’t lay flat when dropped until they’ve had a while to settle. Just a thought. But I had two rings today before coffee time. And everything is sanded it heavy.

 

[2Peas]

If any of you find rings that aren’t gold or silver, don’t immediately write them off as junk. Check to see if the ring is made from Tungsten, and if so, ya just might want to hold onto it. The Tungsten market is very quiet and flies below most people’s radar. Like Silver, Tungsten is one of the most critical and highly strategic metals for the U.S. and ranks in the Top 10 minerals with the highest economic and supply chain disruption risks.

The severe strategic vulnerability stems from a total lack of domestic mining along with extreme foreign reliance. 3 countries, China, Russia and North Korea control 90% of global Tungsten extraction and processing, and China alone dominates about 80% of global production. So, let’s see, Tungsten is a critical & strategic metal for the U.S., but almost all of Tungsten’s extraction & production is controlled by 3 countries that don’t like us, and that I’m sure would just love to cut off our supply. China has already started restricting the export for the majority of their Silver. And, after all, those 3 countries aren’t on our “closest allies” list. Let that sink in.

Tungsten has the highest melting point of all pure metals along with unmatched density, so it’s more difficult and expensive to melt into rings, bars, etc. The unique physical properties of Tungsten make it practically irreplaceable for the U.S. Dept of Defense. It’s also been nicknamed the “Teeth of Industry”, as without Tungsten, manufacturing in the U.S. would grind to a halt.

To tell if you’ve found a Tungsten ring, look inside the band. Tungsten uses a different marking scheme than Gold and Silver, so you won’t find a number inside the band, like 925 for Silver or 585 for 14k Gold. Instead, it will be stamped with one of the following identifiers inside the band:

• TUNGSTEN: The full word is the most common industry standard.
• TUNGSTEN CARBIDE: Signifies the ring is made from the highly scratch-resistant jewelry alloy (tungsten mixed with carbon).
• TC: The abbreviated shorthand for Tungsten Carbide.

The price of Tungsten for a 1oz bar is currently $22 at Luciteria Science: https://luciteria.com/products/tungsten-9995-1-oz-bar.
JM Bullion also sells the 1oz Luciteria Science Tungsten bars, but they’re currently out of stock.

Interestingly, even though the current price of Tungsten is currently below Silver, Tungsten’s price has quietly been rising and has increased 10x since 2025. And since the metal is such a strategic and critical resource, what do ya think the price will continue doing?

I'm sure I have a bunch in my junk bucket

 

[Paul Revere’s Ghost]

I'm sure I have a bunch in my junk bucket

When I buy my tank I’ll glue them all on for armor.