All of the palladium wedding bands from e-Wedding Bands contain 95% palladium and 5% ruthenium, a combination of two of the precious metals from the Platinum Group Metals*. This combination is referred to as 950 palladium or PD950. Palladium is one of the relatively unknown “sister” metals of platinum and shares many of the same unique characteristics and physical properties of platinum: both are naturally white precious metals, strong, non-tarnishing, and hypoallergenic. They are equally rare and are mined together in less than a half-dozen regions around the world.Palladium was first used for jewelry when platinum was declared a strategic metal and reserved for military use in 1939. Since then, palladium has been the metal of choice for diamond setters. But with the formulation of newly developed 950 palladium alloys, palladium is now a smart choice for engagement rings and wedding bands.
Why Palladium instead of White Gold?
The weight of 950 palladium wedding bands is very close to that of 14k white gold wedding bands. However, palladium wedding bands will stay white forever, never needing the “renewed whitening” from rhodium plating that white gold requires. Palladium wedding bands are the perfect choice for those with sensitivity to nickel because they are nickel free and hypoallergenic - unlike white gold wedding bands. Palladium is an extremely rare metal, much more so than gold. It is one of the whitest of all metals and consequently yields wedding bands of extraordinary and uncommon beauty. Plus, palladium wedding bands are incredibly durable and virtually tarnish proof.
White gold is not a true white metal like platinum or palladium. It is made by mixing pure yellow gold with other white metals like zinc and nickel to change its color to white. As a result, it usually has a slight yellowish tint. To enhance the whiteness of white gold jewelry it is electroplated with another precious metal called rhodium. Rhodium is very white, reflective, extremely hard and virtually tarnish free, so it's the perfect protective coating for a white gold ring. However, rhodium coatings wear off gradually. Many people choose to have their rings re-plated with rhodium. Others love their rings with the natural not-quite-white look of white gold.
How does Palladium compare to Platinum?
In virtually all jewelry circles, platinum is still considered to be the king of metals. Platinum wedding bands are approximately 60%-70% heavier than gold or palladium wedding bands. They are extremely durable and will last much longer than comparable gold wedding bands Plus, a high world-wide demand for platinum has driven prices much higher in recent months, making platinum wedding bands a great investment. Even the name Platinum denotes the highest standard available.
So why choose palladium?
If your budget allows, platinum is still the king of all metals. However, palladium offers many of the same desirable characteristics of platinum at a much lower price. It is equally as white as platinum and whiter than white gold. Palladium is hypoallergenic, never needs rhodium plating, and is more precious than white gold. And, as a Platinum Group Metal, palladium wedding bands provide wearers with the same durability and premium white beauty that platinum wearers have learned to treasure. But perhaps the best part is that palladium wedding bands offer a pricing choice right between white gold wedding bands and platinum wedding bands.
Characteristics of Platinum/White Gold/Palladium:
Info order by::
Precious Metal
Specific Gravity
Melting Temp
Color
Vicker's Hardness
950 Platinum
20.7
3235˚ F
Tin white
131
950 Palladium
12.0
2480˚ F
White
150
14K White Gold
12.7
1710˚ F
White to yellow
165
Source : e-wedding
