Tungsten Carbide is a chemical compound containing tungsten and carbon, similar to titanium carbide. Its extreme hardness makes it useful in the manufacture of cutting tools, abrasives, and bearings, as a cheaper and more heat-resistant alternative to diamond. Tungsten carbide is also used as a scratch-resistant material for jewelry, including watch bands and wedding rings.

Tungsten carbide can be found in the inventory of some jewelers, most notably as the primary material in men's wedding bands. When used in this application the bands appear with a lustrous dark hue often polished to a mirror finish. The finish is highly resistant to scratches and scuffs, holding its mirror-like shine for years.