This fascinating metal is tied closely with platinum from both history and its properties. Palladium is a sister to platinum, a "noble metal" (member of the platinum group of metals) with some rather unique properties that ensure a place for it in industry and as a precious metal investment. By comparison, worldwide mine production of gold totaled approximately 70 million ounces in 1998, while supplies of newly mined silver totaled approximately 440 million ounces. Palladium is among the world's scarcest metals.Īpproximately 5 million ounces of palladium entered Western markets in 1994. Palladium is one of the most widely used of the six platinum group metals (PGM) the group also includes platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, and iridium. Palladium is flexible and resistant to corrosion. It is one of the transition elements of the periodic table. Palladium (element), symbol Pd, is a silvery-white, soft metallic element, with an atomic number of 46 and an atomic weight of 106.4. From palladium metal, palladium coins (or rounds) and bars are made to form a physical product that is bought or sold based on palladium content. Palladium Bullion is the form of palladium traded for investment purposes.