Ruthenium Necklace with ruthenium beads
Periodic Table Poster   My periodic table poster is now available!Periodic Table PosterPeriodic Table PosterPeriodic Table Poster
Necklace with ruthenium beads.
According to the eBay seller, the pewter-colored beads in this quite pretty necklace are made of solid ruthenium (not plated). Unfortunately, this is not the case. Analysis by x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy at the Center for Microanalysis of Materials, University of Illinois (partially supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under grant DEFG02-91-ER45439) indicates that they are copper-based with a thin plating of gold and ruthenium.

So, on the plus side, they do contain ruthenium and are thus a legitimate sample of this element. But solid ruthenium would have been a lot cooler. From this experience I learned that ruthenium is a commonly used plating for costume jewelry, which means I can add it to the list of elements you can buy at Walmart.

Source: eBay seller shiningjewel
Contributor: Theodore Gray
Acquired: 14 February, 2003
Price: $45/necklace
Size: 0.15"
Purity: 99%
Ruthenium