When considering purchasing that perfect piece of jewelry, you’ll find so many different metals to choose from that it can be overwhelming to decide which one is right for you!

In recent years, palladium has become popular among jewelry buyers due to its versatile nature, stunning appearance, and durability.

Palladium has become a strong contender against white gold, silver, and even platinum thanks to its unique qualities that make it perfect for engagement rings, wedding bands, necklaces, bracelets, and any kind of jewelry you can think of.

Let’s dive deep into why palladium is becoming so popular and why it may be the perfect metal for you!

What is Palladium?

Palladium is a precious metal that can create jewelry, electronics, and even automotive catalytic converters! It is very similar to platinum and often used in jewelry as an alternative to white gold or platinum because it's generally more affordable than both. 

Fun fact: Palladium belongs to the platinum family of metals!

Palladium was first discovered in 1803 but became popular for jewelry during the second world war when platinum became high in demand for fighting the war. People still wanted to be able to wear wedding bands and engagement rings. Still, precious metals, including certain golds and platinum, were unavailable in many places, so palladium became a great alternative!

Palladium has continued its legacy and popularity for jewelry use because it doesn't tarnish or lose its shine over time as much as silver and gold can, making it a great choice for people who want something durable but still fashionable.

Credit: PAMP Suisse

Another great feature of palladium is that it is hypoallergenic, making it a fantastic choice for anyone who struggles with skin sensitivity or has allergies to other metal types.

Palladium is still considered a scarce and precious metal, with only one mine in the U.S. which it can be retrieved from – The Stillwater Mine in Montana. However, most of the world’s palladium is sourced from mines in Russia and South Africa.

Why Should You Choose Palladium?

Palladium is often chosen over white gold and platinum due to its white brilliance. With white gold, you can sometimes still see yellowish tinges from the pure gold mixed with alloys like nickel to give white gold its overall white color.

This doesn’t generally result in the refined white appearance that can be achieved by palladium alone, as palladium is naturally white.

Platinum, however, also has the same white appearance as palladium as they are part of the same group of metals, but there’s usually one deciding factor that makes buyers lean towards palladium jewelry, and that’s the price! 

Usually, palladium can be up to 45% cheaper than platinum and white gold, though this may change as demand for palladium use in car catalytic converters becomes more popular.

In addition, it is predicted that mines in Russia and South Africa may suffer a palladium shortage in the coming years, pushing the price up. So if you’re looking to invest in palladium jewelry, now may be the best time to do it!

As mentioned before, palladium is also hypo-allergenic, making it a suitable choice for anyone who has skin sensitivities or allergies. However, it is always best to consult with a doctor before trying any new metals just in case.

Palladium is also harder than platinum which makes it more difficult to scratch. When used for a wedding band or engagement ring, regardless of what metal you choose, there is still a possibility of scratching depending on how exposed your ring is to rough surfaces.

Interestingly, when palladium or platinum gets scratched, the metal isn’t removed like it is with white gold. Instead, it gets redistributed in the ring, meaning none of the metal gets lost.

In terms of strength, palladium ranks almost as high as platinum and is way stronger than white gold; however, it isn’t as heavy as platinum which makes for more comfortable wear for many people.

Because palladium is considered a “newer metal,” you may sometimes find that not all jewelers are comfortable working with it. This shouldn’t be too much of an issue as even though it is a newer metal than white gold or platinum, it’s still prevalent in the U.S. 

Many jewelers like Ben Garelick will be more than happy to help you find your perfect palladium ring or jewelry piece. They will also be able to clean your jewelry, repair it where possible and advise you on how to best take care of it.

Is Palladium Valuable?

When it comes to buying jewelry, we don’t believe it should be purchased as an investment. This is because the market varies so much that you can never be sure that a piece will hold its value. However, it’s always nice to know that you’re purchasing something that may hold its value, especially if you intend to pass it down through generations.

Palladium has been considered one of the cheaper precious metals you can buy, but in recent years, specifically over the past year, palladium’s price has begun to rise. This is mainly due to the demand for palladium in countries like China, which use palladium in catalytic converters for their vehicles as it acts as an air purifier.

In addition, demand for countries to be more environmentally conscious means that the need for palladium is set to increase rather than decrease.

Palladium is also one of the alloys used to create whiteness in white gold, which has increased its value as it has so many uses. When using palladium over nickel as the alloy in white gold, the white gold will keep its brilliant whiteness over time and won’t fade like it would with nickel as the alloy.

As with anything, the more popular something becomes, the more valuable it is, and right now, it is palladium’s time to shine!

The cost per gram of palladium is at the highest it has ever been, though it is still very affordable, so if you’re looking to invest in a palladium piece, now is the right time to do so. It may also be worth getting an existing palladium piece valued at a jeweler to see how much it is currently worth!

Ben Garelick Palladium Recommendations

We think palladium is a fantastic choice for jewelry, especially for wedding bands; here are some of our favorites so you can see how stunning palladium is:

1. Bleu Royale Diamond Brush Finish Black Enamel Edge Wedding Band
2. Crown Ring 8mm Wide Brushed Center Wedding Band
3. Crown Ring Satin High Polish Wide Round Cut Diamond Wedding Band

The Right Choice of Metal for You

Palladium is continuing to rise in popularity in many markets across the world. It has long been a favorite among jewelry owners since the 1940s.

If you’re looking for robust, durable, and ever-lasting beauty, palladium may just be the perfect metal choice for you – but everyone has a different style!

You’re best coming to our showroom, where you can see our palladium jewelry range, especially our collection of palladium wedding bands that are guaranteed to impress.

If you can’t make it to our showroom, you can even try them on at home. Speak with one of our jewelry experts to arrange your free trial!

Whatever your choice, palladium is one precious metal to keep an eye on!

Visit us at our Buffalo, NY, store today. Not nearby? Not to worry - chat with our jewelry experts online 24/7, call us at (716) 631-1584, or text (716) 574-0966. Let’s find the perfect piece for you!

Peter Manka Jr. - Owner at Ben Garelick

Peter Manka Jr. is a passionate member of the family business who joined Ben Garelick in the early 2000s after working in product licensing for Sesame Workshop & The Jim Henson Company for many years. He obtained a degree in diamonds and jewelry from the prestigious Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in order to sharpen his jewelry skills. He takes great pride in providing exceptional customer service and helping clients find the perfect piece of jewelry.