Palladium 500 — What This Hallmark Means

A "Pd500" or "500Pd" mark indicates the jewelry is made from an alloy containing 50% pure palladium and 50% other metals, typically silver and copper. Palladium is a member of the platinum group metals (PGMs) and shares many of platinum's desirable properties — it's naturally white, doesn't require plating, and is hypoallergenic. However, palladium is significantly lighter than platinum, approximately 40% less dense.

Palladium was officially recognized as a hallmarkable precious metal in the UK in 2010, with two legal standards: 500 (50% purity) and 950 (95% purity). The 500 standard has become popular for jewelry that benefits from palladium's light weight and natural white color while being more affordable than platinum or higher-purity palladium.

The metal's lightweight nature is particularly appealing for larger pieces of jewelry — a palladium ring or bracelet feels notably lighter on the hand than an equivalent platinum piece. This makes it an excellent choice for people who prefer lighter jewelry or who find platinum too heavy for comfortable daily wear.

Palladium marks follow the same conventions as other precious metals — inside ring bands, on clasps, and on tags. The mark may appear as "Pd500," "500Pd," "500 PALL," or with the UK hallmark symbol for palladium (which depicts the head of Pallas Athena alongside the 500 fineness mark).

Since palladium hallmarking is relatively new, you're most likely to find Pd500 marks on contemporary jewelry. Older pieces containing palladium may not be specifically marked, as there was no legal requirement before 2010 in the UK.

Variations include "Pd500," "500Pd," "PALL 500," "500 Palladium," and in the UK system, the Pallas Athena head symbol with 500. The higher-purity standard, Pd950, is also available and marks jewelry containing 95% palladium.

Some manufacturers use proprietary names for their palladium alloys, so you may encounter brand-specific designations alongside the standard purity mark. In the US, the FTC requires palladium jewelry to be marked with the word "Palladium" or "Pall." and the purity.

A common misconception is that palladium is a cheap substitute for platinum. While palladium is generally less expensive, it is a genuine precious metal from the same family as platinum. Its price has actually exceeded gold at certain points in recent years due to its critical role in automotive catalytic converters.

Another myth is that palladium 500 is too low in purity to be considered fine jewelry. The 500 standard was established specifically for jewelry use and provides a durable, attractive, hypoallergenic option. The additional alloying metals improve the metal's working properties without compromising its precious status.

If you have a palladium 500 piece, you own jewelry made from a genuine platinum-group metal. Care for it similarly to platinum — clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Palladium doesn't tarnish and maintains its white appearance without plating.

For insurance or resale, have the piece appraised by a jeweler familiar with palladium. As palladium is a less commonly encountered precious metal, not all jewelers may be experienced in working with it, so seek a specialist if repairs or resizing are needed.