Rising prices of platinum and gold are increasing interest in palladium, reports the Wall Street Journal.

The article highlights the benefits of palladium ahead of Valentine's Day beyond the price difference, however,  the comparable colour and lighter weight being highlighted as advantages to palladium jewellery. It is acknowledged however, that, palladium does lack some of platinum's cachet.

Johnson Matthey figures for the worldwide demand for palladium in 2006 at 1.12 million ounces, compared to platinum demand of 1.74 million ounces are cited in the piece.

The largest market for palladium jewellery remains China, although demand in the US is said to be growing with 2,000 shops reported to be now stocking the jewellery. .

Palladium is seen mostly as a rival to white gold, with celebrity jewellery designer Scott Kay, who uses the metal, predicting in the next five years there will be more diamonds set in palladium than white gold.

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