Palladium
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Palladium is one of the rarest precious metals on earth — scarcer than gold and platinum combined — and it sits at the intersection of monetary investing and high-stakes industrial demand. Roughly 80% of mined palladium is used in catalytic converters for gasoline-powered vehicles, with the balance flowing into electronics, dentistry, hydrogen technology, and a small but growing investment market for coins and bars.
- •Used in ~80% of gasoline catalytic converters
- •Primary mine supply: Russia and South Africa
- •.9995 minimum purity for IRA eligibility
- •Historically more volatile than gold or silver
Why investors watch palladium
Palladium prices are notoriously volatile. Mine supply is highly concentrated in Russia and South Africa, recycling from spent catalytic converters meets a meaningful share of demand, and the auto cycle drives sentiment in either direction. The result is a metal that can move 20–30% in a quarter on supply disruptions, EV adoption headlines, or shifts in emissions regulations.
Investment products and IRA eligibility
The most common physical products are the Canadian Maple Leaf (.9995 fine) and bars from refiners such as PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, and Credit Suisse. IRS-approved palladium bullion meeting .9995 minimum purity is eligible for self-directed precious metals IRAs, alongside gold, silver, and platinum.
What to read in this category
Our palladium coverage tracks supply-and-demand fundamentals, the platinum-group-metals (PGM) basket, the impact of EV adoption on long-term auto-catalyst demand, dealer premiums, and how palladium fits into a diversified precious-metals allocation.
