Facts and Data about Palladium

His and Hers Palladium Wedding Bands

Hallmark in Palladium Wedding Band

Palladium is a silvery metallic element, similar to platinum.

Characteristics

Atomic Number	76
Atomic Weight	106.42
Density or Specific Gravity	12.023
Melting Point	1828.05 Celsius
Hardness (Moe)	4.75

Description
A soft silver-white metal, similar to its more popular cousin platinum, palladium is usually used either for industrial purposes or in the jewellery trade.  Its history dates back to the early 19th Century when William Hyde Wollaston first discovered it in 1803.  He named it after the then recently discovered asteroid Pallas.

Wollaston, via a chemically complex method we need not delve into here, had created and discovered what would become element 46 in the periodic table. Until more effective drugs came onto the market, palladium chloride was once prescribed to treat tuberculosis and played a vital role in the Fleischmann-Pons experiment, also known as cold fusion. The most common use of palladium today is in catalytic converters.

It’s effective use in the jewellery trade stems from the fact that not only does it not react with oxygen and thus not tarnish, but can also be alloyed with gold to produce white gold.  In recent history, rather than a leading metal in the jewellery market, palladium has been used as an alternative to other metals.

We suspect that one reason why palladium has not been used in recent years is due to the lack of a UK Hallmarking standard. As of 2010 a UK standard hallmark has been in place and all our palladium wedding rings are now UK standard hallmarked.

Palladium is useful and interesting.  Although we don’t ever expect it to usurp the position of metals like gold, silver and platinum in the jewellery trade, there will always be room for it as a good, solid and effective alternative. People looking to purchase jewellery may like to consider palladium as a relatively inexpensive alternative.

Spot prices of palladium can be found on our Precious Metal Prices page of our Tax Free Goldwebsite.

Why Choose Palladium?
Relatively inexpensive they may be a more affordable option than platinum for some people.
Not as heavy as platinum, some people may find it more comfortable to wear.
Palladium like platinum will wear better than white gold and won't need rhodium plating, as it is naturally bright white.
Another bonus of platinum group metals is that they are hypo-allergenic and so shouldn't cause allergic reactions.

Allergies to Gold Jewellery
Gold Alloys by Weight & Volume
Hallmarking in the UK from January 1st 1999
Hardness & Durability of Gold Alloys