1. Check for Markings. One of the easiest ways to check authenticity is to look for markings on the piece.
2. Use a Magnet. Palladium isn’t magnetic.
3. Look for Silver Plating. Palladium and silver have a similar appearance, and this is one of the appeals of palladium for jewelers.
4. Weigh the Jewelry.
5. Take It to an Appraiser.

Are palladium rings stamped?

In the UK, hallmarks have long been compulsory on gold and silver. They became compulsory on platinum items in 1975, and palladium was included after January 2010. Hallmarks are a UK legal requirement on all articles containing precious metals.

Does palladium have a Hallmark?

Palladium is now officially a precious metal for fine jewellery with the introduction of a compulsory UK hallmark from 1 January 2010. Many jewellers are experimenting with palladium, which has had a voluntary legally recognised UK hallmark since July 2009.

Can a jeweler use palladium as a hallmark?

There is no actual hallmarking laws regarding palladium in the U.S. at present, but jewelers will mark palladium jewelry in much the same way as platinum, except using the marks pall or Pd instead of plat or Pt.

What kind of jewelry is made of palladium?

Jewelry made with 95% palladium will be marked 950 and the remaining 5% is made with ruthenium. Items made with 90% palladium are marked 900 and will be mixed with 10% ruthenium. Both palladium and ruthenium are from the PGM family of metals otherwise known as the platinum group. PGM metals are found naturally white and are considered precious.

What are the purity levels of palladium jewelry?

The recognized palladium hallmarks are 500, 950 and 999, which denotes the purity levels of the metal. A piece of palladium jewelry marked 500, for example, simply means that there’s 50% of the alloy is composed of palladium while 999 has a much higher purity level at 99%.

Why are wedding rings made out of palladium?

This makes palladium appear more attractive as an engagement or wedding ring choice for daily wear. Because of the high levels of purity in palladium used in jewelry, the metal tends to be hypoallergenic. Typical palladium alloys contain 95% palladium and 5% ruthenium, with some trace amounts of other elements.