Palladium is a precious metal that is approximately   30 times rarer  than gold. It is a naturally white metal that has a   luster similar to  the better known precious metal platinum. It is   strong and durable,  lasting a long time without wear. It is resistant   to tarnish and intense  heat. 

It is a member of the platinum group   metals (PGM), a group which  also includes platinum, osmium, rhodium,   ruthenium, and iridium. Though palladium should not be   confused with platinum, another member of the  platinum metals group.

Locations   of palladium mines are few, with  the largest, most productive mines   being in the Bushveld Igneous Complex  in the South African Transvaal;   the Stillwater Complex in Montana, USA;  Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, and   the Norilisk Complex in Russia. Palladium is also recycled from   scrapped catalytic converters.  Over fifty  percent of the available   supply of Palladium is used in the production  of catalytic converters,   which convert much of auto exhaust into less  dangerous substances. It   is also widely found in electrical goods such  as computers,   televisions, mobile phones, electrical contacts,  multi-layer   ceramic capacitors, and component plating.