Palladium
Palladium 950
950‰
Silver-white, naturally white and lighter in colour tone than platinum, with a slightly warmer undertone
Composition
95% palladium + 5% ruthenium or iridium
Physical properties
| Density | 12.00 g/cm³ | Weight per unit volume. Platinum is ~40% heavier than 18k gold at equal size |
|---|---|---|
| Melting range | 1535–1555 °C | Working temperature for alloys. Pure metals have a sharp melting point |
| Vickers hardness | 110 HV | Higher HV = greater scratch resistance in service |
| Mohs hardness | 4.8 | Approximate equivalent for comparative reference |
| Tensile strength | 200 MPa | Resistance to breaking under tension, relevant for prongs and fine settings |
| Purity | 95.00% | Fine metal content by mass |
| Tarnish resistance | Excellent | Surface oxidation / sulphidation under typical wear conditions |
| Workability | Moderate | Ease of forming, soldering, and fabricating under standard jewellery workshop conditions |
| Hypoallergenic | Hypoallergenic | Likelihood of triggering skin reactions under normal wear |
Common uses
White metal jewellery, alternative to platinum, white gold alloys (as alloying metal), catalytic converters (industrial)
Hallmarking & identification
Recognised as a precious metal in the UK from 2010 onwards; hallmarking mandatory for items over 1g. Stamped 950Pd or PD950. Much lighter than platinum at the same purity.
Care & maintenance
Durable and tarnish-resistant. Clean with warm soapy water. Avoid harsh chemicals. Does not require rhodium plating.
Market & pricing
Price historically lower than platinum but subject to extreme volatility; palladium briefly exceeded platinum in 2019–2021 due to automotive catalyst demand. Monitor spot price.