Is palladium good for wedding rings or for jewelry? Are you looking for a palladium wedding ring’s pros and cons? You come to the right place.
It could perhaps be the first time that you hear about palladium as an option for a wedding ring. That is because the metal is rare, and it is also not a metal that is typically in demand.
You’ll, therefore, have somewhat of a harder time trying to get the ring and also in varying designs. Even with that, it doesn’t mean that you can’t opt for a palladium ring for when you say our I dos.
In this article, we’re going to explore further what palladium is and to ultimately answer the question if it is generally an excellent metal to use for wedding rings.
Before reading this post, I really hope you guys read my awesome post: Top 10 Hypoallergenic Metals for Engagement Rings. I promise You guys will learn a lot from this post.
What is Palladium wedding rings?
Palladium is a scarce metal that is in the same group of metals, such as platinum. It looks similar in color as well, but it is less dense. People who are not keen on having heavy rings will opt for palladium because it is lightweight.
The other reason to love this metal is that it has a silver-white finish, and it also has similar properties to platinum. The finishing of the ring will determine the actual color of the ring. It is darker when it is stripped, lighter if it is smooth with a satin finish, and super light when polished with carbon. When it comes to pricing, palladium is cheaper than white gold or platinum.
If you’re purchasing a palladium ring, you need not worry about corrosion. It will also not tarnish merely from being exposed to air. Overall, this metal is low maintenance, and it will give you excellent service for a long time. The other aspect that makes palladium ideal for a ring is because it is quite hard. It is harder than gold, silver, or steel. However, titanium is more laborious than palladium.
An aspect that makes palladium also great is the fact that even when it is scratched, the metal is displaced, not lost. That essentially means that the metal will not wear down. That said, over time, the scratches form a patina that most people find attractive. If that is not your style, you can always get the ring polished or put for a matt finish. Whatever you choose, you can have the jeweler do that for you.
There are a couple of things you ought to do if you want your palladium ring to last you a long time. One of those things is to put it in a separate jewelry bag or box from the rest. You don’t want other jewelry to scratch the surface. When you’re doing chores, take off the ring as you don’t want it coming into contact with harsh chemicals or anything that might cause it damage. You should do this, especially if your ring has gemstones as they could discolor. Otherwise, your palladium ring will be okay.
Cleaning palladium is also smooth. You can use a jewelry cloth or cleaner. Alternatively, you can soak the ring in warm water with some mild soap. Use a soft cloth or brush to clean off the residue. After, dry it with a soft cloth before you store it. Once in a while, you want to take the ring to the jeweler for a proper polish or cleaning.
History of palladium, properties, and usage
Palladium got discovered in the 19the century and is considered to be rare. It got discovered by one William Hyde Wollaston after running experiments. From there, he determined that it was an element and among other precious metals.
Palladium is traded in the world commodities market and is considered to be quite a good investment if you’re looking to make extra earnings. The prices vary from week to week, so you have to check out online trading sites where you can get the information to know how well palladium is performing in the market.
Palladium is very much like platinum. You will find it used in multiple industries that include electronics, dentistry, and manufacturing. For several years, palladium has had its own hallmark thanks to the fact that it is a precious metal.
A good palladium ring will have 95 percent of the metal, and the rest is alloyed with, for example, ruthenium. You can ask your jewelers too what grade the palladium is if you’re concerned about the purity.
In general, only six percent of the palladium in the world gets used in jewelry making. Otherwise, palladium is used for making automotive catalysts. Right now, a majority of the palladium in the world gets used in the automotive industry.
Pros of palladium as a wedding ring
- Palladium is a precious metal
- It is cheaper than white gold or platinum
- You can trade palladium, and thus it’s an investment
- Palladium is hard and can withstand everyday activities, and it will hold up
- It does not change color over the years
- You can set stones on palladium, and they will stand out
- It resists scratches better than other popular metals
Cons of palladium as a wedding ring
- It is not entirely scratch-resistant
- It is somewhat pricey for some people
- It is not a popular choice for a wedding ring
Conclusion
A fun fact about palladium is that it means to charm or guardian. It is also named after the goddess Pallas Athena in Greek mythology. For that reason, those who are superstitious believe that wearing palladium jewelry keeps you safe from harm.
For others still, this metal brings about good luck. Couples getting married can also find significance in palladium as it also signifies a lasting marriage.
In conclusion, there is a lot to love about palladium.
If you’ve just heard about it or have come across it but didn’t know what it was, we hope that this article has shed light on that. Indeed, we can also say that palladium is a good choice for a wedding ring if you’re looking to get one.
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Tiger is a fashion&jewelry lover. He is also a fashion jewelry manufacturer that help thousands of small business to grow and also do business with some big fashion jewelry brands. He is a truly metal expert and he will share some information you are looking for.