Palladium, along with gold, silver and platinum, is a liquid asset . But in terms of application in the jewelry industry, the material lags slightly behind its competitors. Previously, it was used only as a ligature - it was added to alloys of other precious metals to strengthen and lighten the shade.
As little as 2% palladium in a gold alloy burns out the yellow color completely, which is why it is often mixed in to create white gold jewelry
Several years ago, Western designers became seriously interested in metal and began working with it as the main material. The pioneer was Vivienne Westwood , who, with the help of an unusual collection, wanted to draw attention to environmental issues. It turned out that palladium jewelry looks no worse than gold and platinum. Overnight, many of Vivienne Westwood's colleagues followed her example.
Silver samples
Pure silver is a metal so impractical that it quickly loses its shine and is easily scratched. Plus, any jewelry made of silver of the highest standard, when rubbed against clothing or touched, wears out and loses its relief.
Jewelers use alloys of silver with other metals to strengthen the product, making it durable and more beautiful. Typically, the alloy for silver jewelry is cadmium or copper. The latter is sometimes replaced with zinc, nickel or aluminum.
Cadmium improves the expressive properties of silver, but at the same time significantly increases the cost of the product. Therefore, the most popular additive is copper.
The higher the silver standard, the lighter and brighter the jewelry. If you are offered a product with a reddish tint, most likely it contains 50% copper or more.
Palladium wedding rings
Palladium first gained immense popularity as a material for wedding accessories in the middle of World War II. This happened because America at that time declared this metal a strategic resource. And the main part of the buyers were military men who could not afford expensive rings made of gold or platinum. Therefore, they bought palladium, rings from which were sold at a more reasonable price, and at the same time did not compromise in appearance and quality. Soldiers made marriage proposals to their chosen ones with the help of these jewelry, so palladium gradually began to gain popularity among civilians.
It often happens that future spouses plan to buy rings made of the most expensive precious metal - platinum. But as soon as they find out about the price of it, they immediately begin to look for an alternative. A palladium ring will easily cope with this task. The client has a huge selection of completely different rings: massive, with patterns, stones or simply smooth. In any case, the price for such an elegant product cannot but please. It is worth considering that purchasing such rings will allow you to save on organizing the wedding as a whole.
Palladium rings have a lighter shade than all other platinum group metals. Therefore, on the hand it looks very advantageous, stylish and expensive. In addition, wedding accessories will always confidently keep their shape, without being subject to deformation or corrosion, even with a sharp change in temperature. Upon contact with the body, the products do not darken, which cannot be said about the same gold. If a woman wants a diamond engagement ring, palladium will do everything to ensure that the price does not become a problem for her future husband, and will be able to show the gemstone from its best side, emphasizing its original brilliance.
This metal is least often used for the production of wedding jewelry, given all its advantages and price, most likely, this is not entirely deserved. But recently its popularity has been growing, and more and more often you can find wedding rings made from it.
Previously, the metal was used exclusively as an additive to the gold composition, which provided it with the necessary light shade, but now jewelers are increasingly using it as the main material.
Platinum samples
Platinum has only one fineness in the metric system - 950. In the carat system, the metal has no fineness at all. Why? Because platinum is a strong metal that does not deform and will not lose its shine over time. It doesn't need to be mixed with anything.
Due to its density, platinum is slightly heavier than gold and weighs almost twice as much as silver. It is many times more expensive than these metals. Platinum is rarely used in jewelry.
How to distinguish palladium from platinum and silver?
To learn how to separate and identify these three metals, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristic data about each of them:
- Platinum is a hard metal and is resistant to scratches and corrosion. It is harder than silver and is much less common. Platinum is a strong metal, this is due to its high melting point. It can be distinguished from silver in an ancient way: when you bite a tooth, a minimal trace will remain on the silver, but nothing will remain on the platinum. In appearance, platinum is brighter than other metals;
- silver - accordingly, it is softer than one and the other metal. Its price is also much lower. It occurs frequently, which is why silver is often used to make dishes, ingots and all kinds of jewelry. It is not able to resist corrosion and may become stained over time under the influence of external irritants;
- palladium - the main distinguishing feature of this metal is its weight. It will be lighter than silver and gold, but will not be inferior in hardness, but, on the contrary, will surpass silver in this indicator. Like platinum, it does not corrode or scratch.
Palladium samples
You will hardly find jewelry made from palladium anywhere, but this metal is still worth mentioning.
Pure palladium is lighter than gold, silver and platinum. Almost any mechanical impact can deform it. Even friction. In the metric system it has two samples, and in the carat system it has one. Palladium has a silvery-white color.
Conclusions: is investing in gold safe?
So, will the price of gold rise in 2021? No one has a crystal ball to answer this question, however, most forecasts currently point to a consistently strong performance for the metal in 2021. While current gold price forecasts may be generally optimistic, it is important to remember that global financial markets remain highly volatile. Therefore, it is quite difficult to predict what the price of gold will be in a few hours, much less give long-term estimates. We recommend considering the latest market trends and news, technical analysis and analyst forecasts before making any investment decisions.
Posted by Valerie Medleva for Capital November 18, 2021 | Translation: Gold Reserve
What is important to know about sterling silver
You will definitely come across the phrase “sterling silver” or “sterling silver”. This alloy of 925 precious metal is the most popular material for making silver jewelry. Modern manufacturers create both decorations and cutlery from it. The products are bright, durable and practically not subject to mechanical stress.
There are several versions of the origin of the name “sterling silver”. Some researchers
It is believed that from this sample in the 14th century the British mint minted coins called sterling. The second version has German roots.
In any case, silver of this standard has proven its worth many centuries ago.
Etymology
There are several versions of the origin of the name. Some sources[1] believe that the name appeared in the 12th century and was originally the name of an ancient English silver coin. 240 coins weighed 1 pound (453.6 grams). Large purchases were expressed in “pounds sterling.” On the other hand, it was a way to check the weight of the coins - if the weight of 240 coins was not equal to 1 pound, the coins could be counterfeit or too worn.
In 1955, the Oxford English Dictionary suggested that the name sterling dates back to around 1300 and comes from the common name for a silver Norman penny that had small stars on it (Old English: steorling).
The most widely accepted theory is that of Walter de Pinchebek, which states that the name "Easterling Silver" was previously used to refer to the characteristic alloy of 925 silver from which coins were made in northern Germany. This area of five cities was called “Easterling” by the British; in the 12th century it became part of the Hanseatic League (Hanse). This district had its own representative office (“office”) in London and conducted active trade with England, paying for goods with local coins that were of high quality and hardness (pure silver is too soft and wears off quickly). King Henry II made this alloy the standard for English coins starting in 1158. Gradually in speech the name of the alloy was shortened to “Sterling Silver” and became the equivalent of “coin silver”.
Summarize
- The higher the grade indicated on the product, the more precious metal it contains.
- The more silver in the item, the more likely the jewelry is to wear out.
- A real piece of jewelry can only be stamped with a standardized hallmark, without deviations in the numbers.
- The bright color of the product indicates a minimal amount of impurity in the metal.
- Platinum is a metal so hard that it does not require a ligature.
- Platinum is heavier than gold and silver.
- The most popular silver is sterling.
In the following material you will learn everything about precious and semi-precious stones. Learn to appreciate processed and untreated crystals.
Stay tuned for our next article!
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Gold value
The precious metal - gold - was previously a symbol of kings. After reading a little history, you can understand that the people of any country strived for wealth. Even in the distant past, Aristotle thought about ideal money. And I found at least five reasons why gold is an ideal option.
- Very durable metal. Gold does not depend on external factors; weather conditions do not affect it. It does not rot, does not fade, maintains its structure;
- Gold is convenient to carry;
- An ounce of gold can be divided up to 1000;
- Maintaining the value of gold for centuries;
- An exceptional feature is the malleability and ductility of gold.
Gradually, gold, replacing barter, entered the world of trade relations. This naturally facilitated, improved and enhanced the market economy. Precious metal becomes the measure of everything. Coins do not oxidize or bend due to their chemical and physical properties.
How is gold used?
Now the 950 standard on a product means that the composition contains particles of platinum or palladium. It's really rare to find gold with this marking. In Russia, the clearer and more well-known hallmark 958 is used for making jewelry. In the USSR, 950 gold, the price of which was quite high, could be found mainly in rings. For our time, jewelry with such markings is unique.
Previously, military medals for awards were made from this alloy. In the Soviet Union, in GOST dated 1983.01.01, a large number of samples were prescribed for jewelry, but still, although in rare cases, 950 markings were used. Unfortunately, very little jewelry of this type has survived. The purpose specified in the appendix to the standard indicates that this alloy is used for conductors of electrical contacts.
Also a yellow metal, used during nuclear research. Since gold wets metal surfaces well, it is used for soldering various materials. Dentistry is another area where this metal is needed. Gold crowns do not react chemically with the human body and are therefore excellent for use.
Useful uses of the precious metal have also been found in pharmacology. It is added to medications. Increasingly, new industries are appearing where gold is used; this metal is not only a symbol of a good life and wealth, it is a technical material that one cannot do without.
Precious items
The cost of 950 gold depends on its shade and shine and can vary significantly. The reason is the impurities that are added. Regular yellow gold contains silver and copper. Platinum, nickel and palladium are added to white. 950 standard gold, the price per gram depends on the impurities that are included in it. For example, platinum is more expensive than palladium. And nickel in some cases caused allergic reactions on human skin. Today they are trying to replace it with the same cheaper palladium. However, the price of 950 gold per gram will become more expensive. The popularity of white gold with an admixture of platinum or palladium is great due to its technological features. Metal is more durable and can hold precious stones well. If you pay attention to the rings made of yellow and white gold, you will notice that it is the white that frames the stones.
Compounds in the composition
This or that color and shade of gold, and it can be red, white and others, is given by the alloy, or rather its composition. They are completely different. According to GOST standards, colors are also approved. A sample helps determine the amount of pure gold. For example, 950 is considered precious because it must contain platinum. Then the product will become a light gray shade. The composition of yellow gold includes the following metals:
Abroad, the composition of 950 fineness has a similar alloy to Russian gold marked 585. The standards of gold products must be controlled by setting a unified system. This is how the work of jewelers is monitored. Without the appearance of samples on jewelry, it would be difficult to distinguish a fake.
Price difference
There are many reasons to consider buying gold. It is known to be a long-standing asset for saving and increasing one’s capital. For example, 950 gold, the price of which is not very high today, will be a profitable investment.
Charts of gold prices and the dollar ratio always show the opposite: if the price of gold rises, then the monetary currency, on the contrary, falls. Of course, in the CIS countries the situation with the dollar is different, but it’s still worth paying attention to.
In our country, the established price for yellow metal in its pure form is 2,450 rubles. Based on these data, in the Russian markets they charge no more than this amount for a gram of 950 gold, and a quarter less for scrap. In Ukraine, the cost of 950 gold per gram is relatively the same as in Russia, despite the exchange rate. Other states, such as Belarus or Kazakhstan, sell 950 gold, the price of which is affordable for those who want to purchase the precious metal.
Gold forecast: factors that will move the market in the coming weeks
Before we dive into the gold forecast for 2021, we want to quickly summarize the latest trends that could impact the value of the metal in the future.
It's no secret that gold prices tend to benefit from increasing uncertainty, whether in the economic or political arena. This year was no exception. To hedge their portfolios, investors have turned to the metal, adding it to their holdings in all shapes and forms, from gold coins and bars to gold stocks and exchange-traded funds, pushing the value higher and higher.
Among many issues, inflation has emerged as one of the market's worst concerns in 2021. As governments around the world scrambled to undo the damage caused by Covid-19, trillions of dollars were pumped into the global economy through fiscal stimulus and quantitative easing. McKinsey research
, this year's stimulus has already exceeded the measures taken during the global crisis of 2008-2009.
During monetary easing, investors tend to switch from the US dollar to gold as a hedge against inflation, which also increases the value of the precious metal.
Another important factor that will determine gold prices in the future, at least in the short term, is the coronavirus itself. The second wave has already hit the world, the number of cases is growing every day, and many countries are reinstating quarantine; this in turn has a negative impact on an already struggling economy. If governments decide on a fresh dose of fiscal and monetary stimulus, the yellow metal could continue to be a big beneficiary of the Covid-19 crisis.
So, will gold rise? Well, if the global economy continues to stagnate due to the pandemic and rising geopolitical tensions have already disrupted international trade, we could see the price of gold rise higher and even break its previous records.
Now let's move on to analysts' forecasts for 2021.
