Metal Casting Zone Info Blog

Archive for December, 2009

Precious metal clay (brand names are PMC and Art Clay) is modern-day alchemy. PMC is a clay base with tiny pieces of silver suspended within it that, when heated, burns off the clay leaving a solid silver residue. The clay base acts as a binder for the metal particles. Once this has been removed, the remaining silver particles bind together, giving you the finished product.

The real beauty of precious metal clay is that it can be manipulated like any ordinary modelling clay, making it perfect for jewellery making. The modern precious metal clay can be using a jeweller’s torch, as the firing temperature is much lower than the early versions of this clay. However, a small kiln will produce a much more constant temperature range and can be controlled exactly, meaning that the results will be more consistent.

Precious Metal Clay once had a very bad reputation for shrinkage, making it unsuitable for fine work or detail. Modern precious metal clays have a much lower shrinkage rate (around 10-15%), but you still need to factor this into the final piece to ensure that really fine detail is not lost in the firing process.

Once fired, the silver piece will seem very lacklustre and dull, so it will need finishing. The dull matt surface hides the real beauty underneath, so finishing and polishing will reveal the shining silver below. When soldering finished precious metal clay pieces it is essential to remember that the surface will be more porous than standard sterling silver, so it is best to burnish the piece prior to soldering. But because it is almost pure silver there is little risk of fire stain on the surface and the final results are almost indistinguishable from sterling silver.

Because precious metal clay is a clay, it takes impressions very well. A design can be pressed onto the surface of the clay and be revealed in the final silver piece. Patterned rollers, lace or even leaves can be used to create unique effects that are difficult to reproduce in ordinary silver unless it has been cast. Precious metal clay is a popular way of making silver beads. The clay can be formed into beads, decorated with a surface pattern and then fired in a kiln quickly and easily, producing high quality silver beads.

Safety considerations have to be taken into account when working with precious metal clay because of the high temperatures required to fire the clay. A small enamelling kiln allows you to safely achieve the temperatures required for optimum results, but ensure that you have all the correct equipment such as tongs with heat resistant handles to extract work from the kiln safely and a heat-proof surface upon which to work.

Precious metal clay is an ideal medium to work in if you want to create pieces of silver jewellery that are unique to you. The only thing that limits you is your imagination. Precious metal silver clay is widely available from good jewellery equipment suppliers. There are two main brands – Precious Metal Clay and Art Clay Silver. The clay is also available in other metals including gold, but the cost is significantly higher than the silver clay.

Ernest Race the textile and furniture designer was recognized as one amongst the most creative and challenging personality of mid-century design. His furniture designs included for dining, lounge and furniture for case, which was completely, constructed using metals and other improvised materials. His famous works included B.A 3 chair, Antelope chair, Heron chair, Purple chair and so on. His designs were contemporary and liked by all and were in constant production.

The metal furniture designed by Race was enthusiastically bought by the private firms as well as the contractors of the market. He has his best orders for chairs and tables of 1500 in number for troop-ships. Gradually his orders increased day by day, mostly placed by the private sector. Later Race opened his own showroom which was stylish, decorated with plain walls on which coconut mats were hung. Race with his outstanding abilities, demonstrated the essentials of assessing the market needs against the restriction of materials.

The famous B.A3 chairs were preferred for the interiors of a ship. These were constructed out of five interchangeable materials which consisted of sand cast and polished aluminium. He used ingenious paneling which is provided with highly polished laminated plastic and with scratch resistant wooden finish. He covered the honeycomb shaped edges of the table, using aluminium in the form of ribbon. This B.A 3 stood on four raised tapering legs which seem to appear light and contrasting.

The Great Britain festival gained more fame for the works of Race. His works like the Springbok, the Antelope chair were on the display in the exhibition. The Antelope chairs had high aesthetical appearance.

Race continued to design the furniture using steel rod which had an appreciable demand in market. He developed the rocking chair in the year 1948, after being inspired from a 1850s Winfield rocking chair made of metal. A special feature of the rocking chair was pretty interesting; it had a seat with a back made of undulating steel wire.

In the year 1955, Race introduced the Heron armchair, which was a very creative internal work, constructed with welded steel rod. He replaced the use of wooden frames with the steel rod and also latex foam which was of light weight. This furniture provided at most comfort.

Race Rockers, was a metal rocking chair designed by Race in the year 1948. The chair is a linen union, and was manufactured in three colours. The race rocker was recently auctioned for a sum of £464.12.

Isokon Penguin Donkey 2 was one of the best utility furniture. It was basically a desk like thing, an ideal place for books, CDs, magazines, newspapers, remote control and so on. This furniture was the second design in the Penguin Donkey series of furniture.

The Neptune chair, renowned furniture was designed by Race in the year 1953. This was made of Beachwood and webbing. This had a large scale sales world wide.

Race’s contribution to the world of furniture design was a significant one, which led to the evolution of modern furniture designing.

Though metal beds were quite popular during early times, nowadays wooden beds are the choice people go with. Though it does depend on the preferences of people, wooden beds are easier to modify and enhance.

Wooden beds are popular nowadays owing to many factors. They are more economical, easier to handle, and easily blend into your rooms. Metal beds, on the other hand, are made from tubular pipe like structures and are used more at dorms, hospitals and for children. They are indeed built to meet the entire safety requirement. However, in case you need to make any modifications, it turns out to be a cumbersome task.

The canopy bed also known as the four poster bed is one of the most popular wooden beds available in market. They are very grand and are mostly used in big rooms and even hotels. Though not as popular as wood, the metal canopy bed has also gained some continued popularity. Though in most cases metal is seen as sturdier, modern times have decreased the popularity of Canopy beds and thus have increased the sale of twin beds. Wood is seen as less damaging as metal beds and its lack of rails makes it the best choice for parents and canopy bed manufacturers.

However, in case of loft beds, metal creations are more popular as they take up less space and also allow a greater amount of decoration as compared to their wooden counterparts.

Earlier only the wealthy could afford metal beds. However, with them being more economical these days with chic and elegant designs, they do sell well. They come in various finishes such as iron, wrought-iron or hand casting. These beds are not only pleasing to the eyes; they also make you travel back in time during the period of renaissance when these beds were quite a rage. Also, metal beds, according to experts, tend to look more feminine.

Though some experts agree that metal beds are more durable and last long, there are also similar opinions for the wooden beds. Furthermore, with the elegant appeal of metal beds, contemporary looks, and the fact that these days such beds come with the do-it-yourself kit, metal beds have still not lost their popular appeal.

Even today wood tends to be a more popular choice for beds than metal or iron although all three choices are available on the market.  Whichever choice you make, make sure that the bed suits your personality and has the same appeal as you have on other people.

Metal fabrication refers to the process of constructing metal by changing the standard raw metal materials with the use of specialized tools and equipment. Metal fabrication techniques, depending on the temperature at which the metal is processed, can be either be cold, hot or warm.

Examples of metal-fabricated products are everywhere. In fact, many of the common objects that we see and use in the house or office such as paper clips, nails and bolts are made using metal fabrication processes. Machines, automobiles, computers, heavy equipment, structural frames, hand railing and stairs of buildings are also constructed through metal fabrication.

Metal fabrication techniques are different from other metal methods such as, for instance, casting where you need to use some kind of mold to create the structure. In the case of fabrication, you utilize hand tools or machinery and a little elbow grease to come up with the desired output.

There are various techniques in fabricating metal components. One of them is metal forming. It is said to the oldest form of metal fabrication. Ancient civilization used the art of metal forming to create armaments. By just utilizing simple tools such as wooden mallet and metal hammer, Greek and Roman craftsmen were able to produce helmets and cuirrasses. The category of metal forming consists of forging, rolling, extrusion, drawing, deep drawing, bending, spinning, and many others.

Another metal fabrication process is called machining or material removal, which involves the use of a cutting tool to remove unwanted metal materials from a workpiece to come up with the desired shape. This is an application that is designed to perfect metal surfaces, ranging from abrasive techniques to precise spot removal methods for parts as small as jewelry.

Common metal removal processes include sawing, tapping, broaching, boring, turning, drilling, milling and grinding. All of them are a common part of most manufacturing processes.

With the advent of modern technology, advanced metal fabrication techniques have also been invented to make the job easier and reduce production time. Nowadays, laser cutting, electro discharge machining, wire electro discharge machining and waterjet cutting are becoming more and more popular among metal fabricators and hobbyists.

While watch repair is being carried out, it is necessary to hold watch parts in place. Bench vices are tools to hold intricate watch components in place while working on them.  Hand vices let the worker hold the subject with a firmer grip and hold the subject closer to the eyes for better inspection.

With the Bergeon 2021 watchmaker’s precision bench vice, watch makers, jewellers and precision engineers have a great tool to let them carry out their work with ease. This tool is made for professionals and has high, reliable quality. This vice is made of hardened steel and is sturdy. It has jaws that are 45 mm wide, parallel to each other and can open up to 40 mm. There is a dovetail slide on which the jaws move. The vice is coated with fawn coloured enamel. The tool is set up by screwing the sole plate permanently on to a bench. The vice can be fixed or removed by using a reliable clamping device which has its operating lever on the side of the vice. This tool has a metal stump for more precise work.

The Hand Held Spring loaded Large Vice is a precision tool made of hard stainless steel. In the holding area, it has zigzagging teeth that interlock; this provides for a solid grip. The tool has a 5 cm head; overall length is 30 cm with the hand grip length at 20 cm. It is loaded with a spring which is heavy gauge to give that additional force for a firmer grip. The small variant in this model has an overall length of 25 cm out of which the hand grip is 15 cm; this tool has a compression ring that allows for storing the tool safely. The Hobby 50 mm Swivel Table Vice has a swivelling base that can turn one full circle. It has other features like large capacity jaws, cast iron frame with an anvil and plated steel screws for high endurance. This tool carries the Silverline Tools Ltd guarantee forever to be free from defects in material and workmanship.

The Top Quality Watch makers Bench Vice is a compact vice that is made with precision. It has a sturdy sole plate that can be fixed on to any bench. There is a slide clamping and releasing facility to fix and remove the vice head to allow easy access to the subject being worked on, closer inspection, further work etc. The jaws are perfectly parallel to each other, they are 49 mm wide and can open up to a maximum width of 40 mm. The jaws move on a smooth machined dovetail slide. This product is a very useful addition to the tool collection of watchmakers, jewellers and precision engineers. This product costs much less than its branded counterparts though there is absolutely no compromise on quality of the product.

There are many articles on precious metals on the web and some of them are quiet professional with a lot of details and data. I will try not to give you just another one. Here I will offer you a simple version and avoiding extensive technicality add my professional opinion on the best use of these metals in order to utilize their unique properties.

In this article we will focus on the most popular precious metals used for jewelry: gold, platinum and the fast growing in popularity palladium. Pure gold and platinum are soft metals which are extremely dense. pure gold is about two and half times heavier than iron and pure platinum is just under three times. While really bright in color pure metals are not suitable for fine jewelry because of their softness. Soft metals are easy to damage, difficult to polish, and unsuitable for detailed work. This is why they are mixed (alloyed) with other metals, in order to give them the desired properties. This is also where all this “carats” and confusing numbers come into play. In fact it is pretty simple. All pure metals in nature are white or gray in color except two, gold – bright yellow and copper- reddish pink. Now we go back to precious metals. All different colors of precious metals are achieved by mixing these colored metals with white ones.

Carat is a confusing name for purity or fineness of precious metals. It is confusing because the same word is used as a weight measurement for precious stones. That carat is equal to 0.2gr. and have nothing to do with metal fineness. To differentiate the one carat from the other, in some standards, weight carat is marked with ct and purity karat with kt or k. We can accept this rule to avoid confusion in further articles, therefore when we address metal purity we will use “karat”. Karat is used mainly to define purity of gold alloys. Different countries have different standards for gold purity and the most used globally alloys are: 9kt or 375, 10kt or 416, 14kt or 585, 18kt or 750, 21kt or 875 and 22 or 916. The alternative number which alone can be used as hallmark indicates the number of fine gold parts in the alloy out of 1000. The easy way to translate this into a manageable information is to perceive it as the percentage of fine gold used x10. For example 750 means 75% pure gold content or 18kt.

Platinum is used in almost pure form and 95% hallmarked 950 is a standard alloy. All alloys with pure platinum content of 95.0% or higher can be also marked with the full word “platinum” or “”plat.” Other used alloys are 900 (90%), 800 (80%) and 585(58.5) also called karat platinum. The amazing qualities of this amazing metal are better described in another article where I am comparing it with the white gold alternative.

Palladium 950 alloys are as white as the platinum, blending well with white diamonds and eliminating the need of rhodium plating. Palladium is a light metal with weight close to the one of sterling silver and much lighter than platinum and high carat gold alloys, thus making it the metal of choice for items like large earrings. At the time of writing, the price of 950 palladium alloys is about a third of the price of the 18k white gold offering great possibilities for large solid pieces at significantly reduced price. One disadvantage though is that quality casting of palladium requires materials and equipment, currently not viable for small workshops

The hallmarks you will usually find on your precious metal jewelry are:

1). Karat or fineness stamp (e.g. 18kt/ct or 750)

2) Manufacturer’s stamp

The karat stamp does not have much value without the manufacturers stamp because the declaration of purity is not signed. Beware; in most countries you can buy a karat stamp for few dollars.

Variety in gold colors and mechanical properties is achieved by alloying fine gold with one or more other metals. White gold for example is a gold alloy with whitening metals, usually palladium, nickel or silver or combination of them. Since the fine gold is always yellow, it is the alloy (base) metals that give the karat gold its color and properties. For example to be able to stamp an item as 18k it must content at least 75% of fine gold. The remaining 25 percent of alloy metals will determine its color and physical properties. If 8.4% of copper and 16.6% silver is used in the alloy, we will end up with the traditional rich 18k yellow gold color. If we mix the same amount of fine gold with 15 % of palladium and 10% of silver we will have good quality white gold. The constant content in 18k gold alloy is always 75% pure gold. Higher than 18k white gold alloys are not possible because the alloying metals are not in sufficient quantity to absorb the yellowness of the pure gold. 21k or 22k gold is always yellow, very yellow. The same principle applies for platinum and palladium, although these metals are used in much purer form (95% is a standard) and there is not detectible changes in color. The only changes there are in physical properties.

Now, with our newly acquired knowledge of precious metals we will probably arrive at the questions: What are the best alloys? What metal jewelry should I buy?

Different metals are good for different purposes. As a general rule (and if you can afford it) buy alloys with higher precious metal content. That applies mainly for gold, since platinum and palladium are used in almost pure form. 18kt gold or higher have distinctive gold color and real precious metal properties. My opinion is that alloys with less than 50% gold content (under 14k) should not be called gold, but gold brass or something else defining the inferior gold content. If you are looking for big bold and heavy pieces the best is to go for silver with gold accents or the very new precium (25%palladium and silver alloy developed by Handy & Hartman)which may be already on the market at the time you read this article. For your fine jewelry pieces choose 18k gold and platinum. 18k white gold can be used for heavier, thicker pieces while platinum is the best for delicate settings with a lot of detail. It does not make sense to set $10 000 diamond in white gold just to save $ 300-400 difference on platinum setting. Besides the aesthetical superiority, the security of platinum setting is immensely greater. When we come to earrings, especially large ones, choosing lighter alloys is essential. Palladium is the first choice followed by 14k white. For yellow, stick to 18k. You can never get the right color in lower karats. Then, your goldsmith’s ability to work light will come handy. Try to find the right craftsman. It is really making all the difference. The weight of the stud settings is rather small even in the case of large diamonds, thus making the platinum the obvious choice for white metal. The difference in price will be insignificant but the difference in strength and safety and quality – vast. Another advantage of the platinum studs – they could be made very delicate and retain their strength.

Returnable packaging reduces waste created by every business. The EarthWorks Group estimates that 30% of landfill waste is created by plastic and paper packaging. The use of cardboard products and other one-time-use packaging products contribute to this waste.

Troy Cain is General Manager of Whitehead Die Casting Co., Inc. located in Gainesville, Georgia.  Cain recently interviewed said, “We wanted to find good usable containers from a reputable source without too much risk. We found the Container Exchanger listing on internet and the web page was very helpful in finding what we needed.”

Sixty percent of the total packaging is now reused and the same percentage comes from Container Exchanger.  Cain noted, “We have been very pleased with the professionalism and level of service from everyone we have worked with at Container Exchanger.”

Folding bulk containers, industrial totes, and metal storage bins are used over and over again within a facility or between a supplier and a customer. They can be used literally thousands of times. These bulk boxes are much cheaper in the long term when compared to buying cardboard boxes and wood crates every time that product is shipped. Savings can be observed in the per piece packaging cost. While the upfront investment in returnable packaging may cost more, savings can be realized quickly through repeated use (the same bulk containers, metal bins, and totes are used over and over), labor (no more box assembly), material handling (fewer moves from stackable containers), quality (fewer rejects due to damaged packaging), and floor space (plastic and metal containers can stack very high). The per piece packaging costs for used bulk containers and totes can be as low as 5% of the costs for a comparable expendable solution, depending on shipping volumes.

Container Exchanger (www.containerexchanger.com) is dedicated to the sale and resale of reusable packaging and containers. The firm resells folding bulk containers, metal storage bins, plastic industrial totes, plastic pallets, and used gaylord boxes nationwide. When a company is finished using a returnable packaging fleet, Container Exchanger represents the seller and finds a buyer for the used bulk packaging. Sellers enjoy a high sales price for a better return on investment. Buyers save significantly in comparison to new packaging prices.

Container Exchanger

www.containerexchanger.com

David Madden, President

pr@containerexchanger.com

404-551-5599

Collecting miniatures is a very popular pastime that many people still enjoy. Getting started with miniatures is not all that hard if you are willing and eager to learn about them. Miniature figures are used in role playing games and they also double as collectibles. It is basically just a small scale replica of a real life object or person. People have been playing with miniatures and collecting them for many years. Many of these collectibles are very elaborately designed and painted. Many collectors choose to display their miniatures even when not in use. There are many fabulous resources where one can learn more about miniatures and collecting them.

When you first get involved with the collecting of miniatures, you may be somewhat confused by the scale measurements. Understanding the scales looks more complicated than it really is. Quite often you will find the scale measurements in metric form. There are various scale types and sizes that one can choose from for their miniature games. On average, a miniature representing a 6 foot tall man will be just 30mm in size. Depending on the game and the collectible type, this ratio will not always be the same. You can easily look up certain ratios for specific games or purposes.

The scale size of miniatures tends to vary based on such things as what type of game you will be playing with them. Certain games like war games may require smaller scale sizes. This is the type of thing that you should look into carefully before you go out and start to purchase your miniatures. Getting the right scale size is important, especially if you are spending a substantial amount of money. Always check over all of the details included in the manufacturer information. It will give you a clear indication of the exact scale size of the miniatures.

There can be a few problematic areas that can come into play when choosing miniature scales. For one, certain proportions on different figures might interfere with the listed scale size. Certain deviations such as a wider body could affect this. Miniatures have evolved quite a lot over the years so you may want to do some research before you start making any purchases. If you have a specific type of game in mind, then you may want to use a certain type of miniature. The material that it is made out of may also be important to you.

A lot of miniatures are made out of metal and plastic casting. Molds are used to shape the figures. The cost of miniature figures will be affected by the material they are made out of as some materials cost much more than others to produce. Many collectors and enthusiasts choose to make their own sculpted miniature figures, designing and painting them entirely. Do some online browsing or research in order to learn more about collecting, purchasing or designing miniature scaled figures. It certainly is a vast hobby that continues to grow in popularity even after all this time.

Amber, which is actually fossilized pine sap, has become, through the creativity of men, part of jewelry. Amber jewelry is today more or less a part of our lives. The difference between now and decades ago is only one: everyone can afford a piece of amber jewelry today and doesn’t know what to do with it, but a long time ago people suspected its powers and a lot of them couldn’t afford to own this kind of jewelry.

The first name given to Amber was electron. After that, around the sixth century B.C., the scientists of that time discovered that, if you rubbed amber against a wool cloth, it became electrically charged. Because of its property it could attract small pieces of paper, fact which amazed the people of that time. Carrying a negative electrical charge, it was thought that the stone itself was able to draw power and energy into its bearer. This belief helped make the stone famous and valuable. People started using it in amber jewelry and making amulets and magical objects. Besides being able to attract energy, it was believed that it aided the intellect. It was prescribed for a lot of curious illnesses like memory loss, anxiety and eccentric behavior.

Amber jewelry was known for its capacity to influence the mood of the bearer. People though that wearing amber jewelry would help them and that the small yellow-brown stone could lighten the burdens of their lives filling their spirit with white light. The results of its actions were supposes to be a feeling of happiness and joy. From the healer’s point of view, the idea was that amber jewelry somehow activated the altruistic side and made people realize the power of their spiritual intellect to the fullest.

For thousands of years Amber has been regarded as a precious substance for its warm beauty. Because no one knew then were it came from, it was thought to be of divine origin. People believed that no harm could come to the one that wore amber jewelry because the stone would protect him. Because of these beliefs the stone become used for medical purposes. Philosophers and alchemists have tried for a long period of time to explain how the amber stones came to be and looked the way they did. Around the first century A.D. a Roman senator and historian recorded a popular belief on the forming of the stone. He wrote it was formed from the urine of the lynx. The male was supposed to produce the dark colored stones and the females the lighter ones with yellow colors. Since there was no explanation to how this miraculous gem appeared, people became superstitious. Another one of the spoken beliefs was that the rays of the setting sun were concealed in the evening sea and then they were cast upon the shore in the form of the stone we all know. This is why we can say that amber jewelry is a piece of brilliant sun. Around the year 240 B.C., an astrologer, Sudines, came pretty close to the real origin of amber. He said that the gemstone is the product of a tree called the “lynx”. It was indeed the product of a tree. Amber was a resin.

The one that made the amber color and amber jewelry famous was Nero. He compared his wife’s hair to the color of the gemstone. From that point on every respectable woman, wives of the noble men at that time, started to aspire to that color and it became a symbol. The woman with the red hair that had the setting sun reflected in the evening sea trapped in her hair felt very proud of the similitude between the amber stone and her beauty. That’s why amber jewelry is regarded the way it is. A small piece of “brilliant sun” or “frozen gold” hides the mysteries of the gem in the beauty of the amber jewelry.

As for the medical use of amber, nothing can be scientifically proven. The ancient Romans had great confidence in the powers of baltic amber jewelry and they used amber in other ways too. They thought that some powder of the gemstone taken in a cup of wine could cure illnesses like fever, asthma or even infections of the throat. This type of medicine was used by the ancient Romans for ear and eye problems too. A fine powder was mixed with honey and, sometimes, with oil made from roses and it was either poured on the infected area or taken internally. Not all types of amber were thought to have healing proprieties, only the reddish stones. Nowadays, it’s also recommended to wear some amber jewelry around the neck (a necklace or a pendant) for the same purpose.

Wearing amber jewelry is a double win situation: it looks good and makes you feel good also. Precious, mysterious and miraculous, amber is by far the most complex gemstone. Its past and its aspect still fascinate a lot of people. Amber jewelry can create an effect that no diamond can ever do and is indeed, as poets say, “a slice of sunshine”.

Palladium, not to be confused with platinum, is one of a group of white precious metals that can be used for a variety of commercial applications (i.e. computers, mobile phones, dentistry, medical equipment, fuel cells) as well as in the manufacturing of beautiful pieces of fine jewelry. Most palladium today, however, is used in the manufacture of automobile catalytic converters.

Palladium, named after the asteroid Pallas, was first discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston. Palladium is a rare metal with the largest deposits found in South Africa, Montana, Canada, and Russia.

The first recorded use of palladium in jewelry was in 1939 as an alternative to platinum or white gold. This precious metal provides the contemporary look of a white metal. Unlike white gold, palladium is naturally bright white and its color will never fade. Palladium has a low melting point but becomes very strong when cooled, making it a good alternative to softer white metals. It can be hammered into very thin leaves just like gold, and can, in fact, be used in the production of white gold.

Palladium offers many of the desirable traits of platinum at a terrific price, considered a fashionable, affordable choice for custom jewelry. The metal is 40% lighter, harder and less expensive than platinum and provides a hypoallergenic metal suitable for those with nickel sensitivities.

Until recently, the use of palladium in jewelry has been limited due to the difficulty of casting this metal. Recent advances, however, have produced a new alloy of palladium that is perfectly suited for jewelry manufacturing, offering consumers an ideal substitution for platinum at a reasonable cost. The most common combination of the metal is 95% palladium and 5% ruthenium, known as 950 Palladium.

Palladium settings are preferred over gold for extra large diamonds and gemstones, since the metal is more durable than gold and less likely to incur damage during every-day wear. Many customers who opt to wear their fine jewelry selections daily prefer the lighter feel of palladium. Larger earrings and necklaces made of palladium can be worn comfortably all day.

If you have found that you are allergic to other types of metals, you may find that palladium is just what you have been looking for. It is a hypoallergenic metal, meaning it won’t leave you itching or with a rash where it touches your skin. Since many pierced earring wearers are especially sensitive to some metals, finding studs, hoops and posts that are made of palladium can truly make wearing earrings fun again.

The Chinese have historically been the biggest buyers and producers of palladium jewelry. However, the advances in palladium casting techniques and recent escalation in gold and platinum prices are driving an increasing demand for palladium fine jewelry around the world. The demand is expected to continue to increase as many consumers discover the beauty, durability, and lightness of this lustrous white precious metal. As a result, there is an increasing availability of palladium jewelry in jewelry stores around the world, especially wedding bands and engagement sets, in jewelry stores around the world.