jump to navigation

What is Palladium? February 23, 2006

Posted by Jill Renee in : Jewelry, Palladium Jewelry , trackback

Palladium is a chemical element with symbol Pd and atomic number 46. A rare silver-white transition metal of the platinum group, palladium resembles platinum chemically and is extracted from some copper and nickel ores. It is primarily used as an industrial catalyst and in jewelry.

Notable characteristics
Palladium is a soft steel-white metal that resembles platinum, doesn’t tarnish in air, and is the least dense and has the lowest melting point of the platinum group metals. It is soft and ductile when annealed and greatly increases its strength and hardness when it is cold-worked. Palladium is chemically attacked by sulfuric and nitric acid but dissolves slowly in hydrochloric acid. This metal also does not react with oxygen at normal temperatures.

This metal has the uncommon ability to absorb up to 900 times its own volume of hydrogen at room temperatures. It is thought that this possibly forms palladium hydride – PdH2 – but it is not yet clear if this is a true chemical compound.

Related posts:

  1. Palladium Jewelry: The Inexpensive Treasure
  2. Using Palladium in White Gold Jewelry Means No More Allergic Reactions
  3. Palladium Jewelry
  4. Pros and Cons to Palladium
  5. World’s Largest Collection of Palladium Engagement Rings

Comments»

1. Janet - July 11, 2007

Jill, I’ve learned a lot about Palladium from your blogs and I am interested in purchasing a palladium ring. But, what I am afraid of is Palladium will react and discolor easily, especially the water in my house has a high content of sulfur (well water). Should I be worry about it? I don’t mind spending a little more for platinum if I have to constantly worry about my palladium ring discoloring or react to certain chemicals. Please tell me more cons about the metal palladium, is it just as white as platinum?

2. Jill Renee - July 11, 2007

Dear Janet,
Palladium is a platinum group metal and the sulfur in your well water will not discolor it. Palladium is 95% pure metal. That being said palladium will get a “gray hue” overtime. However, platinum also “grays” after wear.

Both can be polished to restore the original luster. The color is really a personal preference. Just as some people prefer the yellower hues of 18k yellow gold over 14k yellow gold, some will prefer the color of platinum over palladium. In my opinion the difference is minimal. The most wonderful thing about palladium is the affordability compared to platinum and the “whiteness” of the metal compared to white gold. I cannot say anything bad about platinum its a great choice and I think you would be very happy with a ring from it but don’t be afraid of palladium its a great metal.

Let me know if you have any more questions. All the best, Jill