Traditionally, palladium has been used in jewelry manufacture mainly as an alloying element for white gold. Yet, in the past two years, it has become a significant jewelry material in its own right. Although most of the volume manufacture and sales have been in China, jewelry and watch companies in many other parts of the world - including the USA, UK and Switzerland - have started to put together palladium ranges and bring them to market. Well suited for the jewelry manufacturer, palladium is malleable, naturally white, takes a good polish, doesn't tarnish and - when alloyed to ISO-recognized 950 ppt purity - is tough. It is a light metal and has a similar density to silver. Although its price has fluctuated considerably in the past, it is currently relatively stable at a little more than half that of gold and a quarter that of platinum. Light, bright and precious, for someone who can't afford platinum, palladium offers an interesting alternative to the traditional default: white gold.

Author: Barrie-John Williams, Neill Swan