It's six months. I just looked at the appendix in the back of the LOTR books, and it says that September 23, 3018 is the date at which Frodo sets out for Bree from Bag-End. The ring is destroyed on March 25, 3019.

Palladium Engagement Ring - Precious Asset or Cheap Substitute

It all depends on ones value system. For some individuals jewelry have importance equivalent to the amount of money spent on the buy. For other, the top ingredient is the intrinsic value, uniqueness or fashion compliance. Different value systems cause one object to be placed in two very different categories.

What about the palladium diamond ring? Is it cheating, being per se cheaper or it is a bargain being presently underpriced?

Let us start by defining what the diamond engagement ring should be. It should be made from rare, preferably pure precious metal, set with real diamond and skillfully designed and crafted. It is a courtship gift, thus expensive and exquisite.  These are the rough guidelines.

How rare and precious is palladium?

It is rarer than platinum which is approximately 15 times rarer than gold. It belongs to the Platinum Group Metals (PGM) also known as noble metals due to their superior resistance to corrosion. Palladium is one of only 4 metals which have an ISO currency code. The other 3 metals are Gold, Silver and Platinum. Just few years ago, at the end of 2001, palladium was more expensive than both - gold and platinum, and considering its accelerating popularity, it is quite possible to leap back there.

How beautiful is palladium?

Reading some recent posts about palladium on some well known jewelry forums made me realize how ill informed are even some members of the jewelry trade, advising potential buyers to adhere to the well known and safe white gold settings if they cannot afford platinum. According to this "experts" palladium has grayish color and it does not polish well or even worst it does not retain its polish. Nothing can be further from the truth. There is virtually no detectable difference between finished platinum and palladium diamond ring mountings in color and luster and they are almost indistinguishable in mechanical properties. The only two evident differences from the customer`s view are the weight (palladium is 40% lighter) and the price. My knowledge on palladium is a result of my own, hand on experience with this metal as a bench jeweler. I have challenged a couple of skeptical colleagues to distinguish polished palladium from platinum ring settings (both ruthenium alloys) without feeling the weight. The results were definitive:  there is no detectable difference. The price of palladium ring is about a fourth of the same platinum one.

With the above said, the only definition that comes to mind is underpriced bargain.

This is where the diamond comes in the picture. With savings of more than $600 on average diamond engagement ring mounting imparted to the diamond, ones precious asset will look much bigger and brighter. Some will say I am trying to manipulate peoples view because I have palladium jewelry website.  It is the other way around; I have launched my palladium only devoted website, as a effect of working with this impressive metal and recognizing its superior properties and potential.

About the Author

Vasco Kirov is an experienced designer and master goldsmith with vast knowledge in every aspect concerning fine jewelry. He has been awarded many prestigious design awards for excellence in diamond jewelry design. Vasco’s recently launched Gemstone and Jewelry Blog contains additional information about palladium engagement ringsand plenty of industry’s insider tips on “how to” in today’s jewelry market. For practical answers to all your jewelry questions visit http://www.jewelgateway.net