Metals · Pd
Palladium
Updated October 16, 2026
Palladium is a naturally white precious metal from the platinum family. Jewellery palladium is 95% pure, stamped "950 Pd" or "PALL". Like platinum it never needs rhodium plating, and it is hypoallergenic for most people, but it is much lighter (about 12 g/cm³ against 21.5 for platinum), so a palladium ring feels lighter and uses less metal. It is also a common ingredient in white gold.
- Element
- Pd, atomic number 46
- Density
- 12.0 g/cm³: lighter than platinum, close to silver
- Jewellery standard
- 950 palladium: 95% pure
- Biggest producer (2023)
- Russia, about 92 of the 210 tonnes mined worldwide
Palladium vs platinum
Both are white all the way through and never need plating. Platinum is heavier and more traditional; palladium is lighter, so a band costs less in metal even when the price per ounce is similar. Palladium scratches a little more easily and is harder for some jewellers to resize or repair, so ask before you buy.
Palladium in white gold
Much white gold is made white by alloying gold with palladium instead of nickel. Palladium white gold is better for people with a nickel allergy, and it is a slightly warmer white under its rhodium plating.
Where it comes from
Almost all palladium comes from Russia (Norilsk) and South Africa (the Bushveld Complex), mostly as a by-product of nickel and platinum mining. Most of it goes into car catalytic converters.
The palladium atom
A simplified picture: real electrons are fuzzy clouds, not dots on rings, but the count in each shell is real. The cube shows how the atoms stack in the solid metal.
Electron shells from each element's ground-state configuration; crystal structures at room temperature. Source: electron configurations of the elements and crystal structures of the elements.
Real palladium pieces on Amazon
Each listing's own metal details were read on October 16, 2026 and match the title; we show its star rating, and leave out anything under 4 stars. Prices change, so the link goes to the live listing.
Palladium bands
Solid 950 palladium, stamped as such on the listing.
Sonia Jewels solid palladium comfort fit band, 2.5 mm 2.5 mm wide Stamped 950 palladium See it on Amazon → 
Pompeii3 950 palladium brushed band, 6 mm 6 mm wide Stamped 950 palladium See it on Amazon → 
Sonia Jewels solid palladium milgrain band, 7 mm 7 mm wide Stamped 950 palladium See it on Amazon → 
Sonia Jewels solid palladium comfort fit band, 5 mm 5 mm wide Stamped 950 palladium See it on Amazon → Frequently Asked Questions
Is palladium better than platinum?
Not better, different. Palladium is lighter and usually cheaper for the same ring; platinum is heavier, more traditional and a little tougher. Both are naturally white and hypoallergenic.
Is palladium a precious metal?
Yes. It is one of the six platinum-group metals and trades on the same markets as gold, silver and platinum; the live price is at the top of this page.