Disclosure: Some of the links you’ll encounter are affiliate links. If you click and buy something, I’ll get a commission. If you’re reading a review of some precious metals company, please understand that some of the links are affiliate links that help me pay my bills and write about what I love with no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Does palladium rust? Does it oxidize and corrode?
No, palladium doesn’t rust. It also doesn’t corrode or oxidize.
Palladium is rust-resistant because it’s a noble metal impervious to most of the world’s elements. But also because rusting is something only iron and stainless iron do.
Palladium over time develops a patina which to untrained eye looks like it’s rust and corrosion. Patina isn’t rust and a professional jeweler can easily polish your palladium object (jewelry item, coins, bars, ingots…) for you.
Learn the specifics below because there’s more to palladium rusting than just this short explanation.
Note: here an awesome quiz about palladium and corrosion. Take it after you’ve read this article for best results.
- Does Palladium Bullion Rust?
- Does Palladium Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Water?
- Does Palladium Corrode and Oxidize When Exposed to Moist Air?
- Does Palladium Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Toothpaste?
- Does Palladium Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Lemon Juice?
- Does Palladium Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Flame or Fire?
- Does Palladium Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Baking Soda?
- Does Palladium Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Vinegar?
- Are Different Types of Palladium Susceptible to Rust and Corrosion?
- Does Palladium Jewelry Rust and Oxidize? What about Plated Palladium Jewelry?
- Is Palladium More Resistant To Rusting, Oxidizing and Corrosion than Platinum?
- Is Palladium More Resistant To Rusting, Oxidizing and Corrosion than Gold?
- Is Palladium More Resistant To Rusting, Oxidizing and Corrosion than Silver?
Table of Contents
Does Palladium Tarnish? Is Tarnishing the Same as Rusting?
No, palladium doesn’t tarnish. Palladium jewelry and bullion develops a slight patina, which isn’t tarnish but is a soft, natural glow that many people find desirable and endearing.
Any object that’s rusted is seriously damaged and tarnish doesn’t compare to it.
Does Palladium Bullion Rust?
No, palladium bullion doesn’t rust. Palladium as a noble metal is resistant to corrosion. It’s especially true for IRA-eligible palladium bullion.
IRA-approved palladium bullion are palladium coins and bars you can buy and store in a self-directed individual retirement account (IRA) (gold IRA’s are popular SDIRA’s).
IRA-eligible palladium must be pure (at least 99.95% pure), purchased in the form of bars or rounds and come from NYMEX/COMEX-approved national mints and refiners.
Check out Augusta Precious Metals if you’re looking to buy IRA-approved palladium. Augusta are the best gold investment company in the USA and working with them gives you security and protection form rampant gold IRA frauds.
Does Palladium Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Water?
No, palladium doesn’t rust or corrode when exposed to water.
Palladium is highly resistant to corrosion and it won’t oxidize or lose its shine when exposed to water.
This means your palladium jewelry is safe is you decide to take a bath with it or you go for a swim in the pool or sea.
I mentioned pool and sea specifically because swimming pool water is always chlorinated, whereas sea water is chock full with sea salt.
Chlorinated water doesn’t rust and corrode palladium. Salt water is also powerless against this precious metal.
Does Palladium Corrode and Oxidize When Exposed to Moist Air?
No, palladium doesn’t corrode and oxidize when exposed to moist air.
Palladium slightly tarnishes in sulfur-containing air, forming palladium sulfate (PdSO4).
Palladium sulfate layer is red-brown and resembles rust at the first glance. However, it’s neither corrosion nor oxidation and you can easily clean it off your palladium jewelry with a dish soap and water cleaning solution.
Does Palladium Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Toothpaste?
No, palladium doesn’t rust or corrode when exposed to toothpaste. Palladium is a noble metal that’s highly resistant to toothpaste and other common household substances (for example alcohol doesn’t rust palladium as well).
However, repeatedly exposing your palladium jewelry to toothpaste will cause it to develop a slight patina. Palladium patina isn’t rust, corrosion or oxidation and professional jewelers can easily remove it.
Bottom line is that the ingredients and pH in toothpaste aren’t corrosive enough to significantly affect palladium’s integrity.
Does Palladium Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Lemon Juice?
No, palladium doesn’t rust or corrode when exposed to lemon juice. Palladium is highly resistant to corrosion, rusting and oxidation and the mildly acidic lemon juice can’t significantly affect palladium’s integrity.
Lemon juice can’t permanently damage palladium. But that doesn’t mean you should use it to clean your pallidum coins, bars and jewelry.
Lemon juice can tarnish palladium and it can inflict many tiny scratches upon the surface of the item. Over time this will dull the appearance of your palladium object.
Does Palladium Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Flame or Fire?
No, palladium doesn’t rust or corrode when exposed to flame or fire.
Finely divided palladium (like powder) is combustible and ignites in air, especially when containing adsorbed hydrogen. But pure palladium metal isn’t flammable as a solid.
Fire can’t corrode and damage your palladium items, but it can melt them if it reaches extremely high temperature of 2,831°F (1,555°C).
The average temperature of a house fire is generally between 1100°F (593°C) and 1500°F (816°C). In case of emergency focus on saving yourself and your family and your palladium jewelry and bullion will survive unscathed.
Does Palladium Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Baking Soda?
No, palladium doesn’t rust or corrode when exposed to baking soda.
Palladium as a noble precious metal is resistant to oxidation and corrosion, including those caused by alkaline substances like baking soda.
Baking soda is abrasive but it won’t damage your palladium item in any significant and permanent way. You can even use baking soda to clean your palladium jewelry and bullion.
Just be aware that baking soda’s abrasiveness can cause multiple tiny scratches to your item which over time will cause palladium to change in texture and lose it’s luster.
For this to happen you need to expose your palladium item to baking soda many times over a long time periods (several years). Once or twice won’t do any harm.
Does Palladium Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Vinegar?
No, palladium doesn’t rust when exposed to vinegar.
However, vinegar corrodes palladium upon prolonged exposure.
Vinegar acids chemically react with palladium and cause small surface damage. Repeated exposure or prolonged exposure causes palladium to first tarnish and then severely corrode.
Don’t use vinegar to clean your palladium bullion or jewelry. It’s not safe.
Are Different Types of Palladium Susceptible to Rust and Corrosion?
The common types of palladium are:
- 999 Palladium– this is the purest form of palladium (99.9% pure), and it’s often used in jewelry and for making IRA-approved bullion. 999 Palladium is completely immune to corrosion, and rust.
- 950 Palladium: This is the predominant palladium form used in jewelry industry. The 5% of other metal in this alloy is potentially susceptible to rust and corrosion, depending on the metal.
- 900 Palladium: This grade contains 90% palladium and 10% other metals. 900 Palladium is highly resistant to corrosion and rust, and the 10% of other metal in the alloy is susceptible to corrosion and rusting, though this is highly dependent on the alloy metal.
- 500 Palladium: This grade contains 50% palladium and 50% other metals. This palladium alloy is harder than others and is often used for intricate items. Palladium 500 is highly susceptible to rust and corrosion if palladium is alloyed with a susceptible metal (for example iron or stainless steel).
Does Palladium Jewelry Rust and Oxidize? What about Plated Palladium Jewelry?
No, palladium jewelry doesn’t rust and oxidize. Pure palladium is a highly resistant material and your jewelry is safe if it’s made from it.
However, most palladium jewelry is made of an alloy of 95% palladium and 5% other metals.
That 5% could be ruthenium which means your palladium items won’t rust and oxidize as ruthenium is both rust and oxidation resistant.
However, your jewelry will rust and oxidize if that 5% is iron or stainless steel as both iron and stainless steel are highly susceptible metals.
Is Palladium More Resistant To Rusting, Oxidizing and Corrosion than Platinum?
No, palladium isn’t more resistant to rusting, oxidizing and corrosion than platinum.
Platinum doesn’t rust, corrode or oxidize and is even more resistant that palladium.
Is Palladium More Resistant To Rusting, Oxidizing and Corrosion than Gold?
No, palladium isn’t more resistant to rusting, oxidizing and corrosion than gold. Gold also doesn’t rust, corrode and oxidize and palladium and gold are roughly equal in those areas.
Is Palladium More Resistant To Rusting, Oxidizing and Corrosion than Silver?
Yes, palladium is more resistant to rusting, oxidizing and corroding than silver. Silver also doesn’t rust, corrode and oxidize but is a slightly more susceptible noble metal than palladium.
Does Palladium Rust? Does it Oxidize and Corrode (Conclusion)?
Pure platinum doesn’t rust. It also doesn’t corrode and oxidize.
If you have questions LMK in the comment section below.
References:
- Does Palladium Rust? Guide to Protecting Palladium and Jewelry- https://knollmont.com/metals/does-palladium-rust/
- Discoloration on my wife’s palladium ring.- https://www.reddit.com/r/Moissanite/comments/et9rtt/discoloration_on_my_wifes_palladium_ring/
- How does the wear resistance and durability of palladium-plated items compare to those of other precious metals?- https://www.proplate.com/how-does-the-wear-resistance-and-durability-of-palladium-plated-items-compare-to-those-of-other-precious-metals/
- Jewelry: Do palladium rings get damaged by the water in a chlorinated swimming pool?- https://www.quora.com/Jewelry-Do-palladium-rings-get-damaged-by-the-water-in-a-chlorinated-swimming-pool
- How does the corrosion resistance of palladium-plated components compare to those of other plated metals?- https://www.proplate.com/how-does-the-corrosion-resistance-of-palladium-plated-components-compare-to-those-of-other-plated-metals/
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
