Palladium is the new precious metal now becoming popular for jewelry. It is softer than platinum and is easier to work although of the same family. It is also considerably cheaper than platinum and so you get more palladium for your dollar.

It looks great though, like shiny steel and does not tarnish or wear away so requires no coating to maintain its brilliance.

As well as jewelry, palladium is used extensively in industry in automobile parts as well as such dentistry, surgical instruments, electrical contacts and components. Watch making and oxygen sensors among many other uses.

The US government places no restrictions on palladium at this point so there are no hallmarks, as there are with platinum products. Palladium is also becoming popular with coin collectors since various mints, such as the Royal Canadian Mint, the US Mint and the Royal British Mint, for example, are now striking coins and small bullion bars in palladium.

Palladium coins and small bars are subject to the same conditions as gold and silver coins and bars. They should all come sealed in a transparent plastic bubble and with a valid certificate of authenticity. Of course one should not touch the coins especially as that can leave what are known as cracks on the surface. This applies especially to proof coins which have been stamped several times to achieve the brilliant sheen that proof coins have.

Storing them away out of heat and bright light is a good idea also. Provided they are well looked after your palladium coins and bars will last for a lifetime and retain their value and, as palladium becomes more and more popular, will perhaps even increase in value.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 12th, 2006 at 2:26 pm and is filed under All About Palladium.