Palladium Engagement Ring - Precious Asset or Cheap Substitute
Posted: Monday, January 18, 2010
by Vasco Kirov
Kirov Jewelry Studio
It all depends on one`s value system. For some individuals jewellery have value equivalent to the amount of money spent on the purchase. For other, the top ingredient is the intrinsic value, uniqueness or fashion compliance. Different value systems cause one object to be ranged in two opposite categories.
What about the palladium diamond ring? Is it cheating, being intrinsically cheaper, or it is a great deal being presently under priced?
It should be made from rare, preferably pure precious metal, set with genuine diamond and skillfully designed and crafted. It is a courtship gift, thus pricey and beautiful. These are the approximate guidelines.
Let us now scrutinize palladium diamond ring setting under the above assessment points:
How scarce and precious is palladium?
It is rarer than platinum which is approximately 15 times rarer than gold. It is a member of the Platinum Group Metals (PGM) also known as noble metals due to their superior resistance to corrosion. Palladium is one of only 4 metals which have an ISO currency code. The other 3 metals are Gold, Silver and Platinum. Just a couple of years back, at the close of 2001, palladium was more expensive than both - gold and platinum, and considering its increasing popularity, it is quite possible to leap back there.
How beautiful is palladium?
Reading some recent posts about palladium on some well known jewellery forums made me realize how poor informed are even some members of the jewelry trade, advising potential buyers to stick to the familiar and safe white gold settings, if they cannot afford platinum. According to this "experts" palladium has off-white color and it does not polish well or even worst; it does not retain its polish. Nothing can be further from the truth. There is no detectable difference between finished platinum and palladium diamond ring mountings in color and luster and they are nearly indistinguishable in mechanical properties. The only two noticeable differences from the customer`s perspective are the weight (palladium is 40% lighter) and the price. My knowledge on palladium is the effect of my own, hand on experience with this metal as a bench jeweler. I have challenged few doubting colleagues to differentiate polished palladium from platinum ring mountings (both ruthenium alloys) without feeling the weight. The results were conclusive: there is no noticeable difference. The price of palladium ring is approximately a quarter of an identical platinum one.
With the above said, the only definition that comes to mind is under priced bargain.
This is where the diamond comes in the picture. With savings of more than $600 on average diamond engagement ring mounting contributed to the diamond, ones precious asset will look much bigger and brighter. Some will say I am attempting to manipulate people's opinion because I have palladium jewellery website. It is the other way around; I have created my palladium only devoted website, as a result of working with this amazing metal and recognizing its superior properties and potential.
Vasco Kirov is an experienced designer and master goldsmith with vast knowledge in every aspect concerning fine jewelry. He has been awarded many prestigious design awards for excellence in diamond jewelry design. Vasco's recently launched Gemstone and Jewelry Blog contains plenty of industry's insider tips on "how to" in today's jewelry market. For practical answers to all your jewelry questions visit http://www.jewelgateway.net
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