Have you ever heard of the metal palladium? More recently, knowledge about it ended with a school chemistry course. However, now jewelry made from palladium is rapidly winning the hearts of fashionistas and fashionistas, replenishing store shelves and amaze with their miraculous properties. Did you know that the most sold precious metal color is white? Not shades of gold, as many believed. This is due to the fact that against the background of white metal, diamonds and other stones shine more elegantly and aesthetically. You can see the best photos of palladium jewelry in this article.
A little bit of metal history
The history of the origin of palladium began in 1803, thanks to the English chemist William Wollaston. The scientist experimented with platinum and once added NaOH to neutralize the ore. The chemist then used ammonium chloride to precipitate the platinum. Finally, he added mercuric cyanide, which formed Palladium (Pd). The name of this metal comes from the star of the same name (Pallas).
Benefits of palladium jewelry
To produce palladium products, an alloy of the base metal and nickel, as well as ruthenium and cobalt, is used. On the territory of Russia it is possible to see 950, 850 and 500 samples of metal. In jewelry, the hallmark of palladium plays an important role - the higher the hallmark, the more malleable the metal; craftsmen know this and skillfully use this feature. The most common types of jewelry are 500 and 850, and 950 can be seen on wedding rings, which are easier to roll out to increase volume.
The chemical element palladium belongs to the platinum group of metals and is a very light precious metal. This advantage allows you to create light and voluminous products. The peculiarity of palladium lies in its low price compared to white gold, silver and platinum. Compared to silver, palladium jewelry does not tarnish or blacken over time.
Attention of foreign designers
Experts admit that palladium is only gaining popularity in the jewelry industry. Famous fashion designers are also helping to increase the demand for jewelry made from this metal. Among the first to include palladium products in her collections was Vivienne Westwood, known for her extravagance. Her exclusive collection was designed to draw attention to the natural world and environmental issues.
Another English jeweler, Stephen Webster, known for his creations in Gothic and Victorian styles, used palladium as an experimental material. In his opinion, the metal is universal, so standard palladium rings are a small part of what jewelers can make. The Stephen Webster brand focused on unusual women's jewelry and directed its efforts to creating unique brooches and women's cufflinks that are part of modern fashion.
The Italian company Antonini also produced asymmetric pendants and rings made of palladium. Photos from fashion shows confirm the interest in such jewelry from world famous stars. The company's designers in their collection relied on a combination of two precious metals: palladium became a symbol of new times, and gold – the traditions of past years.
The David Alan company, which creates traditional jewelry with precious metals, has also become a fan of metal. In the company's collections you can find earrings for every taste: the base of the product is palladium surrounding a diamond. The House of Cartier offers its clients men's accessories made of palladium: watches, key rings, lighters and pens.
The popularity of palladium in jewelry is not great, but experts agree that the time for this metal has not yet come. Nowadays such jewelry is considered something unusual, but at the same time elegant and modern. Jewelers believe that very soon, wedding rings made of palladium will become commonplace, and the demand for other products made from the precious metal will increase along with its value.
Applications of palladium
The precious metal is used to create earrings, signets, pendants, cufflinks and tie clips. Palladium jewelry is resistant to scratches, various types of deformation and has hypoallergenic properties. Jewelry can be with semi-precious and precious stones or without them at all.
To add additional shine to the white color of the metal, jewelers use the following stones: amethyst, onyx, garnet, cubic zirconia, sapphire, emerald and diamond. Experts are convinced that the cool shine of diamonds looks perfect on the sparkling surface of palladium jewelry. The strength of the metal allows you to firmly hold the stone in the setting of the product and guarantees long service.
What kind of light platinum is it?
Place of palladium in group 10 of the periodic table of elements of the periodic table.
Physical properties of metal:
- Density 12 g/cm3.
- Of all the platinoids, this is the most fusible metal - 1552 degrees Celsius.
- The metal color is stable, silver, white.
- Palladium is a very soft metal, but adding ruthenium or nickel to the alloy significantly increases its hardness.
- Palladium can accumulate hydrogen in large quantities, especially in a finely divided state.
The lattice structure is face-centered.
The precious metal has a copper structure (Bravai structure).
The chemical properties of palladium are somewhat different from those of the platinoids. Of the entire family, the metal is the most chemically active. It reacts with hot concentrated acids (H2SO4, HNO3 - sulfuric, nitric).
But palladium does not react to dilute alkalis and acids.
According to the characteristics, palladium is close to its neighbors on the periodic table. The luster and color are close to silver; its chemical properties are similar to platinum.
The easiest way to distinguish palladium from platinum is by weight. The densities of these metals differ by almost two times. Outwardly, both metals are similar, like twins.
| Properties of the atom | |
| Name, symbol, number | Palladium (Pd), 46 |
| Atomic mass (molar mass) | 106.42(1)[1] a. e.m. (g/mol) |
| Electronic configuration | [Kr] 4d10 |
| Atomic radius | 137 pm |
| Chemical properties | |
| Covalent radius | 128 pm |
| Ion radius | (+4e) 65 (+2e) 80 pm |
| Electronegativity | 2.20 (Pauling scale) |
| Electrode potential | +0,987 |
| Oxidation states | 0, +1, +2 (most common), +3, +4 (common), +5, +6 (very rare) |
| Ionization energy (first electron) | 803.5(8.33) kJ/mol (eV) |
| Thermodynamic properties of a simple substance | |
| Density (at normal conditions) | 12.02 g/cm³ |
| Melting temperature | 1554 °C |
| Boiling temperature | 2940 K |
| Ud. heat of fusion | 17.24 kJ/mol |
| Ud. heat of vaporization | 372.4 kJ/mol |
| Molar heat capacity | 25.8[2] J/(K mol) |
| Molar volume | 8.9 cm³/mol |
| Crystal lattice of a simple substance | |
| Lattice structure | cubic face-centered |
| Lattice parameters | 3.890 Å |
| Debye temperature | 274 K |
| Other characteristics | |
| Thermal conductivity | (300 K) 71.8 W/(mK) |
| CAS number | 7440-05-3 |
We recommend: TANTALUM - hard, rare and expensive
Types of Palladium Jewelry
Modern jewelry stores boast a huge selection of palladium jewelry for both men's and women's lines. To create such products, jewelers use palladium itself, enamel inserts and a variety of precious stones. Using some artistic techniques, craftsmen give jewelry an original and unforgettable look; experts also note the malleable texture of the metal, which is visible in wavy and angular lines.
The female audience can treat themselves to rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets made of palladium. The products are decorated in every possible way with precious and semi-precious stones. The variety of forms of jewelry allows you to use them both in everyday life and to complete a festive look.
The most popular jewelry made from palladium are rings. The huge demand for them can be characterized by some advantages. Firstly, palladium is a very strong metal, but relatively light, which means a massive ring will not weigh too much. Secondly, this platinum group metal is not exposed to air, does not rust or scratch. These properties allow the metal to maintain its attractive appearance and shine.
Reviews from owners of palladium wedding rings
The metal does not darken, does not cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction, so rings and other jewelry made of palladium can be worn for a long time without removal. The white color of the alloy looks stylish; if desired, the product can be decorated with other jewelry made from a different metal. It is thanks to these positive properties that wedding rings have earned good reviews. Palladium jewelry costs less than its gold and platinum counterparts, which is another plus in favor of the white metal.
Reviews left in online stores and some jewelry boutiques fall into two categories. Some people have never heard of original and inexpensive palladium jewelry, while others take full advantage of this jewelry, buying various jewelry that is not inferior to white gold or silver. Expensive precious metals now have a quality competitor.
Wedding rings made of platinum group metal are becoming more popular than gold ones, why is this happening? Every second review from the owner of palladium jewelry says that the fashion for gold has long passed, and high-quality alloys look much brighter and more original. The service life of palladium products is not inferior to silver or gold. It is not advisable to wear gold wedding rings every day, because the top layer of rhodium wears off and the jewelry loses its original appearance. Visiting a jeweler is an additional cost, so is it worth it? Palladium products do not wear off and the shine does not fade, so feel free to purchase and use such jewelry.
Where is star metal found?
Our current hero is a rarity. Data on palladium reserves vary: some analysts say that it is 2-3 times more than gold, others are sure that the mineral occurs in nature 20 times less often than gold.
In nature, the formation of palladium (solid solution) in native platinum is frequent. The silvery metal is found in the form of grains in platinum placers.
Minerals of palladium-containing ores:
- kotulskite;
- michenerite;
- merenskyite;
- atokit;
- Zvyagintsevit.
In Russia there are deposits of the “brother of platinum” in the Urals (Nizhny Tagil); the Konder ridge in the Khabarovsk Territory is ready to share silver metal; The Norilsk deposits of the Krasnoyarsk Territory are a complete basket of platinum group metals.
1 gram of palladium at the rate of the Central Bank of Russia costs about 5,200 rubles (as of April 2021). We recommend: NIOBIUM - myths and reality
We are proud: Russia produces about 60% of stellar platinum.
Goldschmidt's classification classifies the metal as a siderophile.
Where to find the "platinum brother"
Sources of palladium in the world:
- SOUTH AFRICA. The famous Bushveld complex, there is an unimaginable amount of minerals and ores. Platinum group metals (almost 90% of the world's reserves), chromium, vanadium, iron, titanium... Palladium produces 20% of the world's production here.
- Australia, New South Wales. Mining is carried out from nickel ores.
- Zimbabwe. Here, in the Great Dyke, a huge ore-bearing area of chromite and platinum minerals, palladium veins are found.
- Brazil, Minas Gerais state. Placer deposits.
- Canada, Ontario. Millions of years ago a huge meteorite fell here, now people collect “gifts” - platinum group metals, nickel. Mining is carried out by open-pit mining.
- Colombia, Chocó province. Placer platinum, gold, palladium.
Main palladium mining areas
Men's jewelry
A palladium chain or pendant will help complete your business look. Experienced craftsmen who know how to use modern technologies are able to make not just standard pendants, but also jewelry woven from palladium thread (wire). The result of the work looks very unusual and elegant. The lightness of the metal allows you to create large decorative jewelry.
Some jewelers believe that palladium is an exclusively masculine metal, which is why more and more new collections of jewelry for the stronger half of humanity appear on the market. Signets and crosses look very bright and beautiful. A tie clip and cufflinks are the perfect complement to a business suit. Designers suggest using a combination of a tie clip, cufflinks and a ring in the same style so as not to disrupt the integrity of the image.
