The Most Frequently Asked Questions
- Are the working characteristics for 950 palladium the same as those for 950 platinum?
- I tried palladium 25 years ago and didn't have much luck with it. Are there any differences with palladium alloys being made today vs. alloys produced then?
- When sizing a ring, what is the best method for rejoining the shank?
- What solder should I use when soldering a palladium setting to a gold shank?
- What special equipment do i need for soldering palladium?
- What is the best solder for soldering 950 palladium jewelry?
- Does 950 palladium change or discolor when soldered?
- How can I remove the blueish-purple surface discoloration that sometimes developes on 950 palladium when i solder with Pd hard solder?
- Can gold be soldered to palladium?
- What is the process for soldering findings onto 950 Pd rings?
- When soldering, how is palladium best prepared for joining?
- Does 950 palladium jewelry require rhodium plating?
Are the working characteristics for 950 palladium the same as those for 950 platinum?
There are many working similarities betwween 950 palladium and 950 platinum which include dead setting of gemstones, little or no memory when bending prongs or forming wires, superior non-yellowing white color and both are highly malleable. The differences with palladium include loss of polished luster when heated with a torch, fewer steps required for pre-finishing and polishing, inability to torch weld, sensitivity to laser welding and melting techniques required for casting.
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I tried palladium 25 years ago and didn't have much luck with it. Are there any differences with palladium alloys being made today vs. alloys produced then?
Modern palladium alloys for jewelry manufacturing are similar to alloys used 25 years ago but can have trace elements of other metals to improve certain characteristics such as hardness, fluidity when cast and wearability. These trace elements have made significant difference in palladium°Øs performance at the bench and for casting and have resulted from extensive research and access to modern technology. And new developments have improved solder used for soldering palladium and gold to palladium.
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When sizing a ring, what is the best method for rejoining the shank?
The best and most efficient method for rejoining a ring shank when sizing a ring up or down is with a torch using hard palladium solder. 1,400 or 1,500 palladium solder will work too but for the best color match and a strong bond, hard palladium solder is most desirable. Palladium is oxygen hungry and it is not realistic to use a torch to weld palladium without solder.
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What solder should I use when soldering a palladium setting to a gold shank?
A cadmium free medium or easy flowing gold solder that matches the color of the gold being applied to the palladium.
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What special equipment do i need for soldering palladium?
Use a platinum soldering block, protective eyewear with a minimum rating of No. 5 and if the piece is being held use tungsten carbide, palladium or platinum tipped tweezers.
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What is the best solder for soldering 950 palladium jewelry?
Use of cadmium free palladium solder is highly recommended. Lower temperature platinum solder will work but for the best bond and color match, palladium solder is used.
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Does 950 palladium change or discolor when soldered?
Yes. Like when soldering karat gold pieces, 950 palladium will lose its polished luster. Using hard or high heat solders can cause a light surface blueish-purple oxidation on the surface of palladium that°Øs easily removed. (This surface oxidation cannot be removed by pickling.)
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How can I remove the blueish-purple surface discoloration that sometimes developes on 950 palladium when i solder with Pd hard solder?
The surface discoloration is actually a light oxidation. It is easily eliminated by using a torch with a vented torch tip and a neutral flame (equal amounts of gas and oxygen). Mildly heat the piece for 20 to 30 seconds and the discoloration will be removed. It can also be removed mechanically using abrasives. This will eliminate the discoloration and leave the piece a dull white.
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Can gold be soldered to palladium?
Yes. The color difference is striking because of palladium°Øs superior whiteness. When soldering gold to palladium the piece is covered with a mixture of denatured alcohol and powdered boric acid. Gold solder and flux is then used to complete the joint. No eye protection is required because the heat required is less than palladium soldering and similar to other gold to gold soldering applications.
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What is the process for soldering findings onto 950Pd rings?
The setting and shank should be pre-finished with fine grade abrasives and pre-polished. The two pieces should have a tight fit with no gaps and irregularities at the connecting joints. No fire coating or flux is used, only easy flowing palladium solder. If the pieces require holding devices, they should be palladium, platinum or tungsten carbide tip tools. Avoid contamination from other metals or debris with palladium. No pickling is required after joining. Like with gold, mechanical restoration of the polished luster will be required after assembly and soldering.
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When soldering, how is palladium best prepared for joining?
When assembling palladium setting and shank, or palladium wires for a fabrication project, the palladium should be clean, have tightly fitting joints and directly soldered.
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Does 950 palladium jewelry require rhodium plating?
NO! Palladium is bright white. For the whitest, brightest results when polishing palladium use white jewelers rouge and then 8,000 grit platinum rouge as the final step in the polishing process. The acquired finish after these two polishing compounds used will rival rhodium plated white gold.
Palladium will not yellow over time eliminating the need for re-rhodium plating as required to keep white gold white.
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