3 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT PALLADIUM JEWELLERY

PRECIOUS METALS

In our current “Birthstone Series” of blogs we are examining many precious stones like Diamonds and Emeralds but what can you do with them
Precious metals like Gold and Platinum are traditionally used to make designer rings and necklaces for precious stones like Diamonds and Emeralds but a relatively new precious, less expensive metal has emerged, Palladium

PALLADIUM

Palladium has been used as a precious metal in jewellery production since 1939 as an alternative to using platinum to make white gold. It is much less dense than platinum and may discolour if heated to extremely high temperatures but Palladium used alone or alloyed with silver or gold offers some of the same metal working properties as other jewellery metals, and as a big plus to jewellery lovers….it remains tarnish free

At the beginning of World War II, platinum was made a strategic government resource and palladium was used in substitution. At one point, it was more costly than platinum, although this has been altered in recent years.
Palladium is more precious than silver and whiter than platinum and because it is also lighter than platinum, nearly half the weight, more intricate designer necklaces and designer bracelets can be made which are capable of bearing larger gemstones but without gaining extra weight, for the same reason, Palladium can be an especially good choice in designer earrings.

Of course, three interesting facts would not be the same without them! Let’s take a look back a little further into the history of this popular precious metal:

A little on its history, production and occurrence, perhaps?

Interesting fact number one
1. Palladium was discovered by William Hyde Wollaston in July of 1802 and he himself named it after the asteroid Pallas, which had been discovered two months previously.

Interesting fact number two
2. Ore deposits of palladium are rare and the most extensive of these have been fond in South Africa, the USA, Canada and Russia. It can be found as a free metal in placer deposits, the same as alluvial deposits (see our TIFs- Gold)
As well as in jewellery, a lot of it is used in the making of catalytic converters and so, another way of obtaining it is through recycling it from these.

Interesting Fact number three
3. Palladium is around thirty times rarer than gold and it can absorb around 900 times its own volume of hydrogen- the most common element in the universe!

How can we help?

We specialise in of one-of-a-kind bespoke jewellery in a variety of colour, texture and cleverly engineered, sophisticated designs that Helen Swan Jewellery does so well.. We can help you express your unique style with our elegant designs.

We can even help you combine your old jewellery to create new preserving some of your old memories and giving them a new life.

Contact us today and allow us to help you solve you jewellery needs

Helen

Written and researched by Hazel Martin for Helly and Haz of Helen Swan Designer Jewellery

3 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT PALLADIUM JEWELLERY