If you are reading this, you are no doubt considering whether or not you
should buy palladium jewelry, or gold jewelry. This particular advice is not intended to
“sell” you on either one, but provide you enough information to help with making your own informed
decision depending on your preferences.
Of the two materials, palladium is the least well-known, yet you will also find numerous details
about gold jewelry that much of the population doesn’t have knowledge of. Let’s begin with taking a look at
palladium first.
Palladium Jewellery
Palladium Ring
Palladium is a silvery white metal, that’s rather similar to look at and makeup to Platinum, though it is slightly more white.
Although it has been utilized in the past to to convert gold into white gold, pure Palladium jewelry has become available, and increasing in popularity. In contrast to 925 silver, palladium jewelry won’t react to oxygen, and for that reason doesn’t tarnish as easily.
One more reason for Palladium’s greater use in jewellery is the advancement of casting processes in the past several years. This, and its decrease in cost over this period, can make it a viable alternative to Platinum.
Palladium is actually more hypoallergenic when compared with gold, mainly because it does not contain as much nickel, and does not release nickel as fast as gold or white gold jewelry does. It is also much harder, which makes it more durable. Palladium jewelry is additionally 40% lighter than platinum, which makes it incredibly comfortable.
Finally, Palladium is not only an exceptional metal, it also has a unique place in the marketplace.
Gold Jewelry
A Gold Ring
Gold is still the most well-known metal found in jewelry. Most people know of the different carats of gold, but few know what they really mean:
9k Gold typically is 37.5% gold
14k Gold is 58.33% gold
18k Gold is just 75% gold
24k Gold is just pure gold
Many people are quite surprised once they discover how little gold is in fact in their jewelry. This is due to gold is a really soft metal, and to cope with everyday wear, it has to be mixed with other stronger metals. The metals usually utilized are nickel and copper. This may create problems, as nickel can result in skin discomfort, and copper will cause tarnishing.
The truth is, Gold Jewelry’s principal advantage is probably that it is gold! Gold has a place in a lot of people’s imaginations that simply can’t be filled by anything different. It possesses a vibrant heritage going back 1000′s of years, so if you’re a “gold person”, then there’s hardly anything else that can change it, inspite of disadvantages and limitations.
One characteristic that should be considered though, is the societal and ecological effect of “gold fever”. It’s estimated that around twenty tons of ore must be extracted to get enough gold to make one ring, and depending on the place that the gold comes from, some of the operators provide their personnel minimal payment and poor working conditions. This is an issue that must be thought about.
So which should you ultimately choose?
Well this is up to you! What exactly is your budget? Do you value the lightness and comfort of palladium? Or would you choose the status of gold? Would you like something distinctive and relatively unheard of? Or would you like something your friends is going to be jealous of? They are both rare and exquisite metals, but only you can make a decision according to your situation. Good luck!