Robbins Bros., World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Store, is proud to be one of the first retailers in the country to introduce palladium as a metal of choice for engagement rings and wedding bands.
Every so often the jewelry industry is introduced to a new product or concept or reacquainted with a forgotten “oldie, but goodie” that truly changes the way jewelry is perceived, designed, crafted, and sold. We saw it a number of years ago with the reintroduction and revitalization of Platinum as a jewelry mainstay. Today, we are reintroduced to the wonders of Palladium.
WHAT IS PALLADIUM?
Palladium is part of the platinum group metals. It is hypo-allergenic and slightly harder than platinum, so it will wear similar to how platinum wears. It will take on a beautiful patina (satin finish) over time.
Palladium was used in jewelry during World War II when platinum was not available because Platinum was designated a strategic metal. (Note: at the time it was being used, no technology existed that allowed for effective casting of Palladium, therefore Palladium jewelry was stamped. Today’s technological advances allow for casting and as such, a range of designs limited only by what our minds can imagine).
Palladium is lighter than platinum (it is closer to the weight of 14kt gold), so for clients that don’t prefer the weight of platinum, they may enjoy a palladium piece. The lighter weight of Palladium also allows designers a greater degree of freedom when designing taller, thicker and more intricate designs. Out of all the platinum group metals palladium has the lowest specific gravity (it is less dense, and therefore is lighter in weight than platinum).
Our Palladium collections are made of the alloy 95% Palladium and 5% Ruthenium (another platinum group metal). Palladium is similar in appearance to platinum – steely white. It does not tarnish and it does not need to be rhodium finished.
Benefits of Palladium:
- Palladium is 30% less expensive than platinum, and similar in price to 18K
- Palludium doesn’t need to be rhodium finished, because it is very white, like platinum
- Palladium is hypo-allergenic, unlike white-gold
- It has the look of platinum, but is slightly lighter in weight. (it is closer to the weight of 14kt. gold)
Palladium is pure. It is 95% palladium and 5% ruthenium (another platinum group metal)
Palladium is natural. Palladium is mined from the ground…what you see is what you get.
Palladium is less dense. This means that palladium is lighter in weight than platinum and closer to the feel of 14K gold.
Palladium is hard. It is 12.6% harder than platinum. It will wear similar to platinum, will still show scratches, and will patina (takes on a satin or matte finish) over time.
Palladium is hypoallergenic. There are only two parts to this metal – palladium and ruthenium – and neither will cause skin irritations.
Palladium is whiter. Palladium won’t tarnish or fade in color over time. It does not need to be rhodium finished and is even whiter than platinum.
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