Have you ever heard of the metal palladium? More recently, knowledge about it ended with a school chemistry course. However, now jewelry made from palladium is rapidly winning the hearts of fashionistas and fashionistas, replenishing store shelves and amaze with their miraculous properties. Did you know that the most sold precious metal color is white? Not shades of gold, as many believed. This is due to the fact that against the background of white metal, diamonds and other stones shine more elegantly and aesthetically. You can see the best photos of palladium jewelry in this article.
A little bit of metal history
The history of the origin of palladium began in 1803, thanks to the English chemist William Wollaston. The scientist experimented with platinum and once added NaOH to neutralize the ore. The chemist then used ammonium chloride to precipitate the platinum. Finally, he added mercuric cyanide, which formed Palladium (Pd). The name of this metal comes from the star of the same name (Pallas).
Benefits of palladium jewelry
To produce palladium products, an alloy of the base metal and nickel, as well as ruthenium and cobalt, is used. On the territory of Russia it is possible to see 950, 850 and 500 samples of metal. In jewelry, the hallmark of palladium plays an important role - the higher the hallmark, the more malleable the metal; craftsmen know this and skillfully use this feature. The most common types of jewelry are 500 and 850, and 950 can be seen on wedding rings, which are easier to roll out to increase volume.
The chemical element palladium belongs to the platinum group of metals and is a very light precious metal. This advantage allows you to create light and voluminous products. The peculiarity of palladium lies in its low price compared to white gold, silver and platinum. Compared to silver, palladium jewelry does not tarnish or blacken over time.
Attention of foreign designers
Experts admit that palladium is only gaining popularity in the jewelry industry. Famous fashion designers are also helping to increase the demand for jewelry made from this metal. Among the first to include palladium products in her collections was Vivienne Westwood, known for her extravagance. Her exclusive collection was designed to draw attention to the natural world and environmental issues.
Another English jeweler, Stephen Webster, known for his creations in Gothic and Victorian styles, used palladium as an experimental material. In his opinion, the metal is universal, so standard palladium rings are a small part of what jewelers can make. The Stephen Webster brand focused on unusual women's jewelry and directed its efforts to creating unique brooches and women's cufflinks that are part of modern fashion.
The Italian company Antonini also produced asymmetric pendants and rings made of palladium. Photos from fashion shows confirm the interest in such jewelry from world famous stars. The company's designers in their collection relied on a combination of two precious metals: palladium became a symbol of new times, and gold – the traditions of past years.
The David Alan company, which creates traditional jewelry with precious metals, has also become a fan of metal. In the company's collections you can find earrings for every taste: the base of the product is palladium surrounding a diamond. The House of Cartier offers its clients men's accessories made of palladium: watches, key rings, lighters and pens.
The popularity of palladium in jewelry is not great, but experts agree that the time for this metal has not yet come. Nowadays such jewelry is considered something unusual, but at the same time elegant and modern. Jewelers believe that very soon, wedding rings made of palladium will become commonplace, and the demand for other products made from the precious metal will increase along with its value.
Applications of palladium
The precious metal is used to create earrings, signets, pendants, cufflinks and tie clips. Palladium jewelry is resistant to scratches, various types of deformation and has hypoallergenic properties. Jewelry can be with semi-precious and precious stones or without them at all.
To add additional shine to the white color of the metal, jewelers use the following stones: amethyst, onyx, garnet, cubic zirconia, sapphire, emerald and diamond. Experts are convinced that the cool shine of diamonds looks perfect on the sparkling surface of palladium jewelry. The strength of the metal allows you to firmly hold the stone in the setting of the product and guarantees long service.
In industry
Externally, the metal has a certain resemblance to silver in color. Due to its inertness and other qualities, palladium is used in the following industries:
- production of catalysts for cars;
- jewelry;
- medicine;
- investment;
- electronic;
- chemical
The use of palladium in the production of catalysts is a necessary condition for the production of a car of any brand. Necessary for afterburning exhaust gases. Interest in this metal is due not only to the desire of citizens to have a car, but also to EU standards. Pd helps reduce the amount of exhaust gases, so the popularity of the metal is steadily growing.
Palladium ingot from the Krastsvetmet plant in Krasnoyarsk
Jewelry made from Pd and other precious metals is always in demand. But the jewelry industry does not affect global production volumes due to the fact that it is almost impossible to find products made from pure metal. Palladium is added to the ligature used to make watches, cufflinks and other accessories. In addition, commemorative coins are minted from the ligature to the delight of numismatists.
In medicine, metal is used to make parts for pacemakers, as well as special utensils and instruments.
Investment is the purchase of Pd in the form of bullion. You can also open a bank account, but the depositor will not see the bullion. But if you buy them directly, you will be able to hold palladium in your hands. Such investment of money brings investment only in the long term.
In electronics, Pd has found its application in the production of military and aerospace equipment. And also to create a special coating that protects parts from the effects of negative environmental factors and prevents oxidation. The metal is part of ceramic capacitors that are used to make motherboards. Thus, small amounts of Pd are found in mobile phones, computers and other household appliances.
The chemical industry uses the 46th element of the periodic table to make dishes, various flasks and other containers. And also for the release of acetylene, ammonia, chlorine and other substances, for hydrogen purification.
The use of palladium for the purpose of hydrogen purification is not used in its pure form. To reduce the cost of industrial production, palladium is combined with nickel and other metals.
Types of Palladium Jewelry
Modern jewelry stores boast a huge selection of palladium jewelry for both men's and women's lines. To create such products, jewelers use palladium itself, enamel inserts and a variety of precious stones. Using some artistic techniques, craftsmen give jewelry an original and unforgettable look; experts also note the malleable texture of the metal, which is visible in wavy and angular lines.
The female audience can treat themselves to rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets made of palladium. The products are decorated in every possible way with precious and semi-precious stones. The variety of forms of jewelry allows you to use them both in everyday life and to complete a festive look.
The most popular jewelry made from palladium are rings. The huge demand for them can be characterized by some advantages. Firstly, palladium is a very strong metal, but relatively light, which means a massive ring will not weigh too much. Secondly, this platinum group metal is not exposed to air, does not rust or scratch. These properties allow the metal to maintain its attractive appearance and shine.
Reviews from owners of palladium wedding rings
The metal does not darken, does not cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction, so rings and other jewelry made of palladium can be worn for a long time without removal. The white color of the alloy looks stylish; if desired, the product can be decorated with other jewelry made from a different metal. It is thanks to these positive properties that wedding rings have earned good reviews. Palladium jewelry costs less than its gold and platinum counterparts, which is another plus in favor of the white metal.
Reviews left in online stores and some jewelry boutiques fall into two categories. Some people have never heard of original and inexpensive palladium jewelry, while others take full advantage of this jewelry, buying various jewelry that is not inferior to white gold or silver. Expensive precious metals now have a quality competitor.
Wedding rings made of platinum group metal are becoming more popular than gold ones, why is this happening? Every second review from the owner of palladium jewelry says that the fashion for gold has long passed, and high-quality alloys look much brighter and more original. The service life of palladium products is not inferior to silver or gold. It is not advisable to wear gold wedding rings every day, because the top layer of rhodium wears off and the jewelry loses its original appearance. Visiting a jeweler is an additional cost, so is it worth it? Palladium products do not wear off and the shine does not fade, so feel free to purchase and use such jewelry.
Men's jewelry
A palladium chain or pendant will help complete your business look. Experienced craftsmen who know how to use modern technologies are able to make not just standard pendants, but also jewelry woven from palladium thread (wire). The result of the work looks very unusual and elegant. The lightness of the metal allows you to create large decorative jewelry.
Some jewelers believe that palladium is an exclusively masculine metal, which is why more and more new collections of jewelry for the stronger half of humanity appear on the market. Signets and crosses look very bright and beautiful. A tie clip and cufflinks are the perfect complement to a business suit. Designers suggest using a combination of a tie clip, cufflinks and a ring in the same style so as not to disrupt the integrity of the image.
Domestic manufacturers
Palladium jewelry is created by both domestic and foreign jewelry craftsmen. Few people work with this metal in Russia; among the manufacturers are Treasure House LTD and Krastsvetmet OJSC.
is engaged not only in the manufacture of jewelry, but also works with metal in other areas: the organization offers consumers palladium in standard ingots containing from 99.95 to 99.98% of the main element and state standard samples of refined metal. OJSC Krastsvetmet is of the opinion that palladium is a more “masculine” metal, therefore it produces jewelry, mostly intended for male consumers. The plant's assortment includes palladium cufflinks, as well as pendants, crosses, rings and signet rings.
Jewelry House is a company that has not only been able to present several collections of palladium jewelry in recent years, but also, together with MMC Norilsk Nickel, to increase interest in the metal among consumers. Despite the fact that buyers are most often only interested in palladium rings, companies have managed to develop interest in other products.
is a member of the American alliance of palladium jewelry manufacturers Palladium Alliance International and regularly presents its collections at world exhibition venues. In addition to palladium wedding rings, the Jewelry House collections include exquisite palladium earrings, pendants, rings and other products. On the Russian market, Jewelry House promotes its jewelry under the Palladium Brilliant brand.
Specialists of the Jewelry House note among the features of their products the presence of unusual combinations of metal with precious stones and colored enamel, the diamond shine of the frame, durability and light weight. The company's collections include bridal jewelry, men's jewelry, office jewelry, as well as jewelry with colored stones and colored enamel.
Consumers of different groups can easily find a product for themselves: for future newlyweds there is a large selection of wedding rings made of palladium, for the female audience - exquisite rings and earrings with stones, for business men - rings and cufflinks made of palladium, for the young and active - jewelry with colored enamel.
