Two 'metal movers' combine bullion alloy research and casting technology to give jewellers the best results in Palladium.

Baird & Co and Niagara Falls Castings have partnered in research and development of palladium alloys to give jewellers the best results in palladium jewellery production. Tony Baird, managing director of Baird & Co in London, says,

'We have developed an easily worked super white .950 palladium alloy, Bianco-TRU-white, that is suitable for casting or drawing and polishes beautifully.
The colour is exceptional and compares very favourably with the appearance of platinum but without the high cost. We have suitable solder products and polishing materials available and can also offer semi-fabricated products such as sheet and wire as well as our finished range of plain and patterned wedding bands for sale direct to retailers.

Baird & Co will also stock the full range of castings available from Niagara Falls.

Philip Roberts of Niagara Falls Castings explained,

'We have used palladium in our white gold alloys for many years and it was critical in allowing us to declare all our alloys 'nickel free' well before the introduction of the European Nickel Directive'.
'NFC have been following the interest in Palladium jewellery since 2004 and have been trialling alloys for over a year. The TRU-White alloy has been very successful and the response from customers like Flash Jordan & Dower and Hall, who have helped us with field trials, has been fantastic'.

'Over the last ten years we have worked extremely hard to develop the highest quality Platinum casting service and this has left us well placed to cope with the demands of casting in Palladium'.

'We are very much looking forward to working with existing (and hopefully new) customers to take full advantage of this exciting opportunity'.

The New Opportunity

Palladium presents a new opportunity for retail jewellers, providing a less expensive, high margin product to exploit the continuing popularity of white metals.

Palladium jewellery has already taken off in China with 22 tonnes made in 2005 alone.

At the Las Vegas JCK Fair a number of manufacturers including Scott Kay and Novelli presented palladium jewellery as a huge opportunity for American retailers. Kay was evangelical in his promotion of palladium, 'It's not a substitute. Palladium needs to be sold in its own right.'

Michael Allchin, the Birmingham Assay Master, said at a recent seminar, 'The Assay office knows from enquiries that there is interest in the UK. Manufacturers are beginning to experiment with palladium. Top designers, such as Martyn Pugh, are making jewellery with palladium designing to its particular qualities.'

What is Palladium?

Palladium is a platinum group metal which is white, light, workable and relatively inexpensive.

White metals have been popular with jewellery buyers for several years. White has a clean, simple contemporary feel exploited by designers and trendsetters. The rise of platinum exemplifies the values of rarity, exclusiveness and purity which palladium will be able to build upon however at lower price points and with a less dense feel. Palladium has the whiteness consumers demand without the tarnishing of silver and the need to rhodium plate as it is a naturally white metal.

Palladium jewellery has the potential for high margin, low cost and high perceived value. As it is not widely available yet the jewellery has no preconceived ideas about price or value. Jewellers need to ensure that this trendy 'new' metal retains its credibility and high status as a platinum group metal of rarity and value.

Niagara Falls Castings (UK) Ltd
Budbrooke Road, Warwick
CV34 5XH
Tel: +44 (0) 1926 496258
Fax: +44 (0) 1926 496250
sales@nf-castings.co.uk
www.nf-castings.co.uk

Baird & Co. Ltd.