Platinum vs. Palladium — What's the Difference?

A metal known for its high resistance to corrosion and tarnish.

A key component in automotive catalytic converters.

A catalyst in various chemical reactions.

A metal that is lighter and more abundant than platinum.

A chemical element with the symbol Pt and atomic number 78.

A lustrous, silvery-white metal used in electronics.

Platinum is a chemical element with the symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a dense, malleable, ductile, highly unreactive, precious, silverish-white transition metal.

A chemical element with the symbol Pd and atomic number 46.

A trademark for a certification indicating that a recording, such as an album of music, has sold a million copies.

A precious metal often used as an investment.

Symbol Pt A silver-white metallic element occurring in alluvial deposits in sperrylite and nickel ores, usually mixed with other metals such as iridium, osmium, or nickel. It is ductile and malleable, does not oxidize in air, and is used as a catalyst and in electrical components, jewelry, dentistry, and electroplating. Atomic number 78; atomic weight 195.08; melting point 1,768.2°C; boiling point 3,825°C; specific gravity 21.45 (20°C); valence 2, 3, 4. See Periodic Table.

Palladium is a chemical element with the symbol Pd and atomic number 46. It is a rare and lustrous silvery-white metal discovered in 1803 by the English chemist William Hyde Wollaston.

A medium to light gray.

A soft, ductile, lustrous gray-white, tarnish-resistant, metallic element occurring naturally with platinum, especially in gold, nickel, and copper ores. Because it can absorb large amounts of hydrogen, it is used as a purification filter for hydrogen and a catalyst in hydrogenation. It is alloyed for use in electric contacts, jewelry, nonmagnetic watch parts, and surgical instruments. Atomic number 46; atomic weight 106.4; melting point 1,554.8°C; boiling point 2,963°C; specific gravity 12.02 (20°C); valence 2, 3, 4. See Periodic Table.

The chemical element with atomic number 78 and symbol Pt; a dense, malleable, ductile, highly unreactive, silverish-white transition metal of great value.

A safeguard, especially one viewed as a guarantee of the integrity of social institutions

A whitish grey colour, like that of the metal.

A sacred object that was believed to have the power to preserve a city or state possessing it.

(music) A single or album that has achieved platinum sales, i.e. over 1 million or 2 million.

A safeguard.

A platinum-based drug: a platin#Etymology 2.

A chemical element (symbol Pd) with an atomic number of 46: a rare, lustrous silvery-white metal.

Of a whitish grey colour, like that of the metal.

(countable) A single atom of this element.

Of a musical recording that has sold over one million copies (for singles), or two million (for albums).

Any statue of the goddess Pallas; esp., the famous statue on the preservation of which depended the safety of ancient Troy.

Very expensive, or of very high quality

That which affords effectual protection or security; a safeguard; as, the trial by jury is the palladium of our civil rights.

(computer games) to reach platinum level in a game

A rare metallic element of the light platinum group, found native, and also alloyed with platinum and gold. It is a silver-white metal resembling platinum, and like it permanent and untarnished in the air, but is more easily fusible, with a melting point of 1555° C. It can also be prepared as a finely divided black powder. It is unique in its power of absorbing hydrogen, which it does to the extent of nearly a thousand volumes, forming the alloy Pd2H. It is used for graduated circles and verniers, for plating certain silver goods, and somewhat in dentistry. It was so named in 1804 by Wollaston from the asteroid Pallas, which was discovered in 1802. Symbol Pd. Atomic number, 46. Atomic weight, 106.42. Density 12.0.

A metallic element of atomic number 78, one of the noble metals, classed with silver and gold as a precious metal, occurring native or alloyed with other metals and also as the platinum arsenide (sperrylite). It is a heavy tin-white metal which is ductile and malleable, but very infusible (melting point 1772° C), and characterized by its resistance to strong chemical reagents. It is used for crucibles in laboratory operations, as a catalyst, in jewelry, for stills for sulphuric acid, rarely for coin, and in the form of foil and wire for many purposes. Specific gravity 21.5. Atomic weight 195.1. Symbol Pt. Formerly called platina.

A silver-white metallic element of the platinum group that resembles platinum; occurs in some copper and nickel ores; does not tarnish at ordinary temperatures and is used (alloyed with gold) in jewelry

A heavy precious metallic element; gray-white and resistant to corroding; occurs in some nickel and copper ores and is also found native in some deposits

A dense, malleable precious metal used in fine jewelry.

A valuable commodity often traded in financial markets.

Platinum is a dense, malleable, precious metal used in jewelry and industry.

Platinum is heavier and denser than palladium.

Platinum is generally more expensive than palladium.

Palladium is a lighter, more abundant metal used in electronics and automotive catalytic converters.

Platinum has a higher melting point than palladium.

Yes, both platinum and palladium are used in jewelry, though platinum is more common.

Palladium is more reactive than platinum.

Yes, but palladium is more commonly used in catalytic converters.

Yes, platinum is often used as an investment metal.

Platinum maintains its luster, while palladium can develop a patina.

Jewelry, industrial applications, and high-end electronics.

Palladium is more abundant than platinum.

Automotive catalytic converters and electronics.

Yes, palladium is also used as an investment metal.

Yes, both metals are hypoallergenic.