Emergency Removal of Tungsten Carbide Ring

A common misconception concerning tungsten carbide ring is that they cannot be removed in the case of emergency medical treatment, requiring the finger to be removed instead. This is not true. Emergency care providers have specialized tools that allow them to easily break a tungsten carbide ring into large pieces. As a result, it is easier and less dangerous to remove tungsten carbide rings than gold, silver, or titanium without injuring the hand or finger. An easier way to remove a tungsten carbide ring is to use a tool such as a vise, which can be used to shatter the ring.

Materials, like tungsten carbide or ceramic, can only be removed by cracking them into pieces with standard vice grip locking pliers. Standard ring cutters will not work for a tungsten carbide ring.

Place vice grip locking pliers over the tungsten carbide ring and adjust the jaws to clamp lightly. Release and adjust tightener one-third turn and then clamp again. Repeat until a crack is heard, and then continue clamping in different positions until the hard material breaks away. Take care not to slide or rotate the cracked ring on the finger. If the tungsten carbide ring contains an inlay of gold, the exposed gold can then be cut or clipped in the usual fashion.