# Palladium

> Palladium is a white precious metal of the platinum group, light and hypoallergenic, used pure and in white-gold alloys.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/palladium/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-08-06
- Updated: 2026-08-17
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/paladio/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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Palladium is a white precious metal from the [platinum](https://www.711grados.com/en/platinum/) family. It is lighter than platinum and gold, does not tarnish and is very well tolerated by the skin, so it is used both for palladium jewelry and, above all, as a component of white gold.

## Properties

- **Color:** natural grayish white that needs no plating.
- **Density:** about 12 g/cm³: lighter than platinum (21.45) and gold (19.3)
- **Melting point:** around 1555 °C.
- **Usual purity:** 950 (95% palladium) in pure jewelry.
- **Reaction to air:** it does not tarnish; it only softens with wear.

## Uses in jewelry

- Alloying metal for [white gold](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold/): in 18-karat white gold it is combined with gold and silver instead of nickel.
- Pure 950 palladium wedding bands and rings.
- Settings for stones, thanks to its hardness and neutral color.
- A more affordable alternative to platinum.

## Pros and cons

### Advantages

- Naturally white: no rhodium plating needed.
- Hypoallergenic and light.
- Corrosion-resistant.

### Limitations

- Its price swings a lot on the market.
- It is harder to work and solder than silver or gold.
- It is less well known and harder to find in jewelry stores.

## Care and cleaning

- Clean with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush.
- If it scratches, a jeweler can polish it again.
- Store it apart from other jewelry to avoid scratches.

## See also

- [Platinum](https://www.711grados.com/en/platinum/)
- [Rhodium](https://www.711grados.com/en/rhodium/)
- [Gold](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold/)