Both are members of the precious metals’ PGM family, but they vary in terms of price and composition.

As precious metals go, platinum bullion and palladium bullion lack the attention and regard that gold and silver get. Yet, in times of economic gloom, platinum and palladium perform well as safe-haven assets and a hedge against inflation. Furthermore, unlike gold, the white metals – platinum, palladium and silver – often withstand slides in the precious metals market due to their high industrial value better than gold.

For these reasons, precious metals investors are wise to expand their portfolio with metals other than gold and silver – making platinum and palladium excellent diversification tools. But which one should you choose?</p>

PGM Similarities

Both platinum and palladium are naturally-occurring members of the PGM (Platinum Group Metals) family. Iridium, osmium, rhodium and ruthenium are also considered PGMs. Platinum-group metals are widely renowned for their catalytic properties and resistance to wear, tarnish, and chemical degradation – qualities that make PGMs highly valued by the auto manufacturing and jewelry industries.

Platinum and palladium, in particular, are like two sides of the same coin. In fact, they are often found mixed in together during the mining process. Plus, platinum and palladium are nearly identical; it is difficult to see any difference between them.

However, as you’ll learn below, their seemingly minor differences can have major implications when deciding which to invest in.

Rarity

Platinum: Platinum is much rarer than gold or silver. In fact, the global supply of platinum is estimated to be 1/10th that of gold and 1/100th that of silver. (Consider this: It is commonly said that all the gold ever mined could fit into 3¼ Olympic-sized swimming pools, but the entire world’s supply of platinum could easily fit inside your home!).

Palladium: Palladium is one of the rarest metals on earth and even more scarce than platinum – 15 times more rare to be precise. If all the platinum in the world fits in your house, then every ounce of palladium can easily squeeze inside your living room.

Price

Platinum: Historically, platinum prices were higher than gold; however, in recent years platinum has traded lower than gold. Platinum and palladium will often maintain a similar price ratio, but the two white metals are indeed capable of solo surges.

**Palladium: Though it is rarer than platinum, palladium is typically a lower-cost investment. Because nearly 80 percent of the world’s palladium supply is controlled by just two countries (Russia and South Africa), prices can be more volatile than other precious metals. (For example, from 2005-2011, palladium sunk to a low of $168 per ounce and then rebounded to a high of $858 per ounce.)

Density

Platinum: Platinum is more dense than palladium, making it less susceptible to breaking and more valued by some manufacturers and jewelers. This quality is a major reason why platinum prices are often double palladium’s going rates.

Palladium: Palladium has many of the same chemical properties as platinum, but is less dense and has a lower melting point.

Industrial Use

Platinum: Because of their unique properties, both platinum and palladium are heavily used by the auto industry to make catalytic converters for vehicles, as well as a common material in jewelry. Platinum, in particular, is valued by jewelers since it is heavier and more durable.

Palladium: Many analysts believe palladium is gradually replacing platinum in the industrial sector because of its lower cost and ability to perform virtually the same role as platinum. Dentistry and electronics are two other major sources of demand for palladium and platinum.

Etymology

Platinum: When the early Spaniards first stumbled upon a white metal that looked like silver, they gave it the name platina – the Spanish term for “little silver” – and threw it back in the ground to “mature” into real silver. Now, of course, we call this metal platinum.

Palladium: Palladium was named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, Pallas, and an asteroid of the same name by William Hyde Wollaston after his discovery of the metal in 1803.

Start Investing in Platinum Metals Today

Whether you’re interested in platinum or palladium (or both), make Provident Metals your home for all your precious metal needs. We’ve got beautiful platinum bullion coins in stock like the American Platinum Eagles and Canadian Platinum Maple Leafs, as well as rare palladium coins!

If you are still in the process of learning about platinum and palladium investing, consider browsing our knowlege center and blog for more information. For starters, check out our overview of palladium investing, as well as this infographic showing the many industrial uses of PGMs.