BRITAIN’S WAR BRIDES

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23718, 17 August 1942, Page 6

BRITAIN’S WAR BRIDES

. WEDDING RINGS MADE OF PALLADIUM LONDON, March 3. Between six and 10 wedding rings of-platinum will supply the electrodes for the sparking plugs of one aero engine, Britain’s! war brides are, therefore wHh rings made planet Greek gbddfesS of Fmowledge, *%hose image the' .ancients "believed brought good fortune. . .. x , . ■ British jewellers like the metal because it works quite as easily as platinum. In engagement rings it holds the stones secilroly, and with its untarnishable brilliance brings out all their fire and colour. It is indeed proving ideal for all kinds <9L rings, and also, as it is about 40 per cent, lighter than platinum, for cigarette and vanity cases, bracelets and other articles where lightness, strength, and beauty are desired. Pure palladium, like pure platinum, is too soft for jewellery work, so it is being toughened by the addition of small quantities of rhodium and ruthenium, two even more precious metals of the platinum group. In this state it is called by the trade kerba palladium, which comes to Britain chiefly from Canada. Kerba palladium costs £7 10s an ounce, as against £9 an ounce for jewellers’ platinum, but, as it is so much lighter, it goes further. In value it is comparable with 18-carat gold, and it is much more desirable because even in the alloy state it is precious metal throughout. *