If you’ve never considered purchasing a luxurious palladium engagement ring or wedding band – or even if you’ve never heard of this precious metal before – then grab a cup of coffee, sit back and relax…

…Because you’re about to learn why you should choose a beautiful palladium ring!

When it comes to choosing the perfect precious metal for that engagement ring or wedding band, most couples think that their choices boil down to three choices: gold, white-gold or platinum. However, these choices didn’t arise from a specific agenda against palladium; in fact, this precious metal was once considered nearly impossible to work with until technology caught up to speed. Finally, jewelers had a way to shape this incredibly durable (read: tough) metal into effortlessly elegant engagement rings and wedding bands.

So what’s the big deal about palladium – and how does it stack up against the highly desirable (and highly expensive) platinum metal?

First and foremost, palladium and platinum aren’t that different from each other; in fact, palladium is part of the platinum metal group. Both metals share the same qualities: extremely high purity (95% pure, in fact), high luster and a silver-like appearance that platinum is so famous for. However, the similarities end there. Palladium is far less dense than its platinum cousins, doesn’t tarnish and has an extremely low melting point. Yet despite its low melting point and density, palladium is a notoriously difficult metal for jewelers to work with.

So what are some other advantages of choosing a beautiful palladium ring?

• Because palladium doesn’t require nickel to strengthen it (palladium is 95% pure, after all!), this means that palladium rings are perfect for consumers with nickel allergies. A 10K white-gold ring, on the other hand, can contain as much as 60% nickel.

• Palladium’s durability allows for more intricate designs than white-gold.

• When it comes to rings with prongs, palladium leaves white-gold behind in the dust. Because palladium is so durable, it can withstand more friction than white-gold. This means that your gorgeous diamond will be far safer and more secure in a palladium prong than a white-gold one.

So what’s the biggest benefit to choosing a palladium ring? For budget-conscious fans of platinum wedding bands and rings, palladium offers the best of both worlds: the look of platinum at a jaw-dropping budget price. Due to its popularity, platinum costs over $1300 per ounce, while palladium comes in at a meager $300 per ounce. That means you can have an palladium engagement ring or wedding band with the same look and quality as a traditional platinum ring for just a 1/5th of the price.

If you’re ready to make the leap into marriage, consider placing a gorgeous palladium ring on your sweetheart’s finger – your wallet will thank you for it!