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The "why didn't Gandalf, the million-year-old know-it-all, simply develop the metalurgy of a world already waving steel weapons around to the point where they can artificially reach the temperature of a dragon's flame" should replace the eagles question.
Was is the temperature or the origin which destroyed the ring? As not every fire could destroy it, it needed to be destroyed where it was made. The same rule would apply to Tungsten. The story wouldn't change (that much). You could even argue that throwing a Tungsten ring into the lava would render it not retrieveable, as no living object could reach it. Then Sauron would be trapped forever between the worlds.
Tool of a Fook!
Did
Ahem.. Jet fuel...
You do not need to turn the ring to a vapour. Aka boiling point. Who needs to boil gold? Melting is enough. E.g turning from solid to liquid. Gold 1064°C Volfram 3422 °C
Fool of a Took!
Gold boils and turn into gaseous gold