If you’re trying to decide between Palladium or Platinum jewelry, it can often be difficult
to find accurate, unbiased advice. This site is dedicated to providing the facts, benefits
and drawbacks to each metal, so that you can make the right choice for you.
Palladium Jewelry
Palladium is a silvery white metal, that is quite similar in appearance and makeup to
Platinum, although it is slightly whiter.
Although it has been used in the past to to turn gold into white gold, pure Palladium jewelry
is now available, and increasing in popularity. Unlike 925 silver, palladium jewelry does not
react to oxygen, and therefore doesn’t tarnish as easily.
Another reason for Palladium’s increased use in jewelry is the improvement of casting
techniques in the last decade. This, and its drop in price over this period, has made it a
viable alternative to Platinum.
Palladium is also more hypoallergenic than gold, as it does not contain as much nickel, and
does not release nickel as quickly as gold or white gold jewelry does. It is also much
harder, which makes it more durable. Palladium jewelry is also 40% lighter than platinum,
which makes it extremely comfortable.
Finally, Palladium is not only a rare metal, it is also holds a unique place in the
marketplace.
Platinum Jewelry
Platinum is one of the rarest metals on earth, and is in fact 35 times rarer than gold. This
alone makes this a precious metal, and it takes approximately ten tons of ore just to produce
a single ounce of platinum. This is one of the reasons why it is so expensive. The price of
platinum can vary wildly compared to the other metals, and can range from being slightly
cheaper than gold, to twice as expensive.
Platinum is a darker color than silver, and both metals can become dull over time. Platinum
is also stronger and more scratch resistant than silver, but it is not scratch proof in any
way. Platinum has a unique ability in that it doesn’t tend to wear down or lose mass like
silver and gold. A scratch on a platinum ring is usually a displacement of the material,
whereas a when a gold or silver ring scratches, material is usually lost to whatever caused
the scratch. This means that while you may want to polish your platinum ring on occassion,
you won’t have to replace it like you might have to with a silver ring.
Platinum jewelry has a high corrosion resistance, and also won’t tarnish as much as a silver
ring. Most platinum jewelry is 90-95% platinum.
So which should you choose?
Well that is up to you! What is your budget? Do you value the lightness and comfort of
palladium? Or do you prefer the prestige of platinum? Do you want something unique and
relatively unheard of? Or would you like something your friends will be jealous of? These are
both rare and beautiful metals, but only you can make a choice based on your situation. Good
luck!