Several times a week we have customers wanting a new setting in a white metal and intuitively ask about the differences between Platinum and white gold.
Many do not know that there is a third alternative if you do not count silver. That alternative is palladium. What is palladium you ask?
In an earlier reply to a question about palladium on this blog, it was explained that palladium is a metal in the platinum family that is hypoallergenic like platinum, a white metal very similar to platinum. It is 10% harder than platinum making it more scratch resistant that allows it to stay shinier longer. It is also less dense and lighter than platinum, making it about the same weight as 14k gold but considerably less expensive than platinum. Its cost is similar to 14k white gold.
As mentioned palladium makes a good alternative for those wanting a metal whiter than white gold, that is harder than platinum which also costs less.
So, now, you ask what does it look like compared to the other whiter metals.
The following picture is from left to right, silver, 14k white gold, platinum and palladium.
If Palladium appeals to you, ask your jeweler to show it to you, it may just be what you are looking for.
