Palladium leaves its mark!

[Alan Hadley]

It was announced on 21st July 2009 that palladium had become the fourth precious metal to be awarded hallmark status by the government, following platinum, silver and gold. At present the new hallmark is voluntary but will become compulsory on January 1st 2010.

Currently being marketed as a 'new' metal, Palladium wedding rings were first popular around the time of the Second World War but 'fell from grace' only to be given this recent new lease of life due to high Platinum and gold prices and the surge of consumer requirements for 'designer' metals in jewellery.