Palladium is one of the lesser-known precious metals, yet in recent years it has commanded prices that surpass even gold.

Part of the platinum group metals (PGMs), palladium’s rarity, industrial importance, and market volatility have made it a subject of growing interest among investors, manufacturers, and policymakers.

Its story blends scientific discovery, industrial necessity, and shifting global supply chains.

Compared to gold and silver, which have been used for thousands of years, palladium is a relative newcomer to human history. It was discovered in 1803 by English chemist William Hyde Wollaston, just after he identified platinum. The metal was named after the asteroid Pallas, itself named for the Greek goddess Athena.

Initially, palladium was used in jewelry and dentistry, but as industrial applications expanded in the 20th century, its strategic importance grew sharply. Continue reading How Palladium Became One of the World’s Most Valuable Metals →