Sunday, September 16, 2012

What are the Uses of Palladium in Jewelry?

By Ronald James


The use of palladium in jewelry business was first recorded back in 1939. Palladium isn't totally new in the jewelry industry and palladium has some history. As Palladium lies within the family of Platinum Group Metals or PGM's, it's also mined and extracted from the same mineral deposits as platinum and sometime even gold. In terms of physical and chemical properties Palladium has remarkable resemblance to platinum as it is a part of platinum family. Palladium has similar lustrous silver while colour like platinum and it is perfect for use in jewelry.

However, there is significant difference between both the metal. Palladium is very hard metal, that's 12% harder than platinum. Likewise Palladium is also 40% lighter than Platinum. As palladium is produced from 95-100% pure palladium, the jewelry is hypoallergenic. What this essentially indicates is Palladium is the ideal metal for individuals with sensitive or irritable skin. Due to such benefits, it is being used in jewelry like engagement and wedding ring styles and getting popular amongst jewelry manufacturers.

The purity of the platinum is the main reason behind its popularity. Likewise, consumers are attracted towards Palladium in the same way as platinum because it is a purer material that is not fabricated or manmade. Another advantage of Palladium is, it is very light metal. When put next with platinum, it is 40% less heavily. These characteristics make Palladium an exciting metal to work with. Also, it could be accustomed to set larger stones in designer jewelry and also the piece won't even feel overly hefty to wear as it is lot less dense.

Gold must be alloyed with a number of white metals such as palladium, nickel and silver to create white gold. Nevertheless, with 18ct white gold being 75% gold and 25% alloy, it is impossible to turn gold a pure white colour. Therefore, the white color we know so well of the white gold is created by electro-plating with Rhodium. Over time however, this rhodium-plating wears off, top customers to think their gold has "tarnished". Palladium jewelry never loses its color as it is a natural white metal and does not require rhodium plating.

Palladium is a valuable metal ideally suited to engagement rings and wedding bands, yet is also a cost-effective metal. What better time for you to make investments in a ring at this time, when the prices are low and palladium rings are still unique.




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