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Previous | Home | NextThe palladium-gold alloy was analyzed by Berzelius in the early 1800s and found to contain a typical composition of 85% gold, 10% palladium, and 5% silver. The naturally occurring alloy was given a mineral name, "porpezite" (from the region Porpez, which today is known as Pompeu or Pomeo, 140 km northwest of Belo Horizonte). However, most of the palladium-gold alloy was traced back to Itabira (80 km northeast of Belo Horizonte). The alloy typically has a tannish cast, thus appearing slightly different from pure gold. "Porpezite" is now considered an archaic name and is no longer used. Courtesy, Museu do Ouro.
