What is it made from?

In the wonderful world of fountain pens the use of precious metal elements are used widely but what are they?

We are generally familiar with gold, silver and platinum but rhodium, palladium and iridium are a little more exotic.

Rhodium, palladium and iridium are chemically inert mineral elements which are part of the platinum group and are similarly rare. They are used industrially either alloyed with other platinum group metals or used as catalysts in chemical processes, with palladium being used extensively in catalytic converters in cars. However, used as a plating finish and polished, rhodium and palladium offer a highly durable, deep shine finish which is resistant to discolouration through oxidisation, making them especially suitable for nibs and trims on fountain pens.

The use of 'rhodium coating' is where a fine 'layer' of rhodium is plated onto silver or other substrate as a means of preventing discoloration of the base through oxidisation. Rhodium plating onto gold nibs is a means of retaining the physical properties of the gold while maintaining the decorative silver colouration required for a silver trimmed pen.

Iridium, a relatively dense element, can also be used in the manufacture of nibs to offer a more durable writing tip.

The principle link on this blog is to a Caran d'Ache Leman Ebony Black fountain pen which uses rhodium onto both gold and silver.