More than 200 years after its discovery, palladium has gained popularity in the world of jewelry. One of the rarest metals in the world, palladium has only recently been in the spotlight by fine jewelry makers. The naturally white, oil-resistant metal is hypoallergenic, non-tarnishing and a member of the platinum group of metals. These metals, which are resistant to corrosion and oxidization, are commonly referred to as “Noble Metal”.
Palladium shares its name with the asteroid Pallas and its namesake Pallas Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. So why have jewelers only recently wised up to its starry charms? Producers of the metal say that shifting a buyer’s attention away from the standards to market a new metal takes time and patience. In an interview with the New York Times, a leader in the palladium industry explained that platinum took 15 years to be established as a metal “brand.” Marketing palladium as an equal to other precious metals is a work in progress.
Palladium seems to be well on its way with its fast and trendy take on the traditional timelessness that is assigned to precious jewelry. Palladium engagement rings and wedding bands have spiked in popularity in recent years. While it may be similar to platinum and in the same group of metals, it is much lighter making it more affordable.