Now that that the price of gold and platinum to an extent seem to have peaked, what is the demand for palladium?

I am a full time jeweller. I have been working with silver and gold. I know it has been used as a cheap option for engagement and wedding rings instead of platinum, though it isn't as hard or dense as platinum, but almost as white, in contrast to the white gold alloys.

I have been told by some bullion suppliers that goldsmiths complain that palladium is difficult to solder,the joints show, and not as user friendly. Soldering temperature almost as high as platinum. Is it though considered to be as easy for setting as platinum, with no "memory"? I set stones myself so this can be very helpful. If palladium is soft, like 18ct high palladium white gold, how safe is it for claws? I don't usually do claw settings but it would be good to know.

I am trying to gauge whether it's worth using it as a whiter than white gold alloy which doesn't need gold plating or move straight on to platinum? I am aware of the platinum costs and they can be reflected on the finished pieces, the customers will pay if they want platinum.

I also have a PUK 4 so that may help with some of the jointing. I hand make everything so how easy is palladium to hand work? I have been looking it up a lot on ganoskin and google but I would welcome everyone's feedback in the uk, what do your customers go for? What age people go for it? My customers are mostly over 40s.

Any contributions/ tips welcome!