The Voltshade Black Tantalum Grooved Wedding Band

Black Tantalum Men's Wedding Band with Brushed Center and Polished Grooved Edges - 8mm Width

The Voltshade takes black tantalum and adds polished grooves at 8mm width. That's a lot of dark ring with shiny accents - definitely going for maximum visual impact here. The coating wears through eventually though, especially on those polished grooves that get the most contact.

Eight millimeters in black tantalum feels heavy and looks substantial. The polished grooves break up what would otherwise be a solid black band, but they're going to show scratches as lighter marks where the coating gets damaged. Every ding becomes visible because you're going from black to silver underneath.

The brushed center might hide some coating wear better than smooth surfaces, but the polished grooves are basically asking to get scratched up. More surface area, different angles, lots of opportunity for the black coating to get worn through with daily contact.

Black tantalum is regular tantalum with surface treatment, not naturally black metal. The coating makes an already pricey and difficult material even more complicated to work with. When scratches go through to the base metal, you get this two-tone effect that some people like and others find annoying.

Can't resize tantalum period, and the coating makes repairs even more complicated. Most jewelers won't work with tantalum anyway, but trying to match black coating after modifications would be nearly impossible. Really need to get the size right the first time.

This appeals to people who want maximum drama from their wedding ring. Very modern, almost tactical looking. But black rings aren't universally accepted in professional settings, and the coating wear means it won't stay looking perfect forever.

Tantalum underneath is medical grade and hypoallergenic. The coating adds unknowns depending on what materials and processes are used.