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10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RHODIUM PLATING
What is rhodium and why we should care about it when it comes to purchasing a white gold jewelry item? Actually, there is nothing called pure white gold and there is always a rhodium coating over any white gold jewelry pieces because this adds to its durability and luster.
With that said, this article will take a closer look at Rhodium plating and why it is a great option for your jewelry. Whether you have never heard of it, or simply want to know more, here are the top ten things you need to know about rhodium plating.
1. What is Rhodium?
Rhodium is a silvery-white metal in the platinum family. It has highly reflective quality (up to 80% of light) that does not tarnish. Rhodium is allergy-friendly, harder than gold, and extremely durable.
Although there has been huge demand for rhodium especially in jewelry industry, this metal is very rare as it is never found as a single mineral. The production rate of the metal globally is roughly 30 tons yearly, which is actually very small compared to other metals. Copper, for example, is produced at a rate of 20 million metric tons per year. Aluminum comes in at 63 million metric tons. Due to the high demand yet it’s scarcity, rhodium is the world’s most expensive precious metal.
Rhodium has been used as a coating for jewelry and silverware since the 1930s.
2. What is Rhodium plating?
Rhodium plating is used to create a white reflective appearance on jewelry. As it is part of the platinum metal family, it is harder than gold so provides jewelry with a durable surface which resists scratches and tarnish. It is most commonly used to plate white gold as this metal naturally has a yellow tone, so by electroplating a layer of rhodium, the piece of jewelry will have a bright white finish.
3. What are benefits of Rhodium plating?
- Enhances luster: A thin coating of rhodium makes jewelry to be extra shiny enhancing the elegance of the jewelry.
- Safe to use: It is safe for people of all ages due to its hypoallergenic nature.
- Highly durable: Rhodium is not affected by air and water up to 1,112° F (600° C). This means it can withstand a high level of heat and moisture, while still remaining in good condition.
- Not overly costly: Although rhodium is the most expensive metal in the world, rhodium plating is more affordable than other precious stones. This is because only thin coating of Rhodium is needed to place any jewelry piece.
- Protects jewelry: It protects jewelry from scratching and enables it to last longer because of its strength.
4. What is ideal thickness of Rhodium plating?
As said, it seems pricey to use Rhodium to plate your jewelry but the fact is proper rhodium plating thickness is usually between 0.75 and 1.0 micron thick which sounds incredibly thin if we compare to gold plating.
At PNJP, we follow the international standard of rhodium thickness on our Silver and Gold jewelry lines to achieve the stable quality.
5. How long does Rhodium plating last?
Like gold plating, rhodium plating will eventually wear off over time due to contact with everyday elements such as air, water, and chemicals. The more frequently a piece of jewelry is worn, handled, or exposed to the elements, the faster the rhodium plating will degrade.
Thickness as well as quality of the plating also affects the lifespan of rhodium coating. A thicker rhodium plating will last longer, while a thinner layer of rhodium will need replacing more frequently. With a decent quality and thickness and regular maintenance and care, rhodium plated pieces can last for years before needing replacement.
A common misbelief is that rhodium plating only needs to be done once and is permanent.
As it is a metal, like any other metal used in jewelry, it is subject to wear and tear through exposure. So most white gold pieces on average will need to be rhodium plated every 12-18 months. This depends on how the item of jewelry is worn. Additionally, if the jewelry piece needs to go through any repair work or polishing, in most cases this also removes the rhodium plating and therefore will require it to be rhodium plated on completion.
6. Can I rhodium plate a yellow gold piece?
As yet Rhodium plating works well on silver and white gold, are you wondering if it is possible to have your yellow gold jewelry rhodium plated, in fact changing your jewelry color from yellow to bright white?
The answer is yes!
Apparently when you do this, you are giving your jewelry protection and improving its longevity. However, one thing you must know that as time goes by and the plating wears off, hints of the original color (yellow) or the jewel will begin to show. This might affect the overall appearance of the piece, making it look less attractive. Moreover, the exposed areas can be highly at risk of being tarnished when not re-plated immediately.
7. How many color options available for Rhodium plating?
Traditional rhodium is a vibrant silvery-white and highly reflective when clean. It’s often used to plate white gold or platinum to not only make the metal more durable, but also to give it a more silvery, attractive color.
Less popular one but desired by many people who look for a bold and unexpected look is Black rhodium. Exactly what it sounds like! Black rhodium is a dark, metallic gray plating composed of rhodium and other metals that can coat any of our precious metal selections and give them a cool, edgy aesthetic.
Both Black and White Rhodium are semi-permanent plating, meaning they will fade naturally over time the more you wear your piece
8. Is Rhodium plating expensive?
Don’t you know that Rhodium is one of the rarest and most expensive metal? While gold prices stand at over $1,990 per ounce at the time of publication – impressive, but nothing compared to rhodium. Currently the most expensive precious metal and one of the rarest, the price per ounce of rhodium stands at $8,300 at the time of publication. Hence, it is undeniable that Rhodium plated jewelry is expensive for sure.
Dependent on quality and size of jewelry that needs to be coated, Rhodium plating cost varies. Check out our rhodium plated jewelry: Melody of spring collection
9. Is Rhodium plated jewelry safe to wear?
At PNJP we can guarantee that our rhodium plated jewelry is safe to wear. You must know that rhodium is hypoallergenic and it acts as a guard between the metal and the skin to keep it safe. Many people face allergy/ irritation problem with their jewelry because of the allergy triggers such as nickel (used to make your gold jewelry more durable but irritate the skin and cause rashes and blisters, at PNJP we confirm the nickel content is in compliance with European standards) or even gold. Rhodium itself doesn’t easily oxidize, corrode, or react to your skin that’s why it is a great plating option for all jewelers.
Rhodium plated jewelry is absolutely safe to wear and Rhodium does not contain allergens. It is safe for young children and anyone with sensitive skin. However, over time, Rhodium plating can wear off, and this can re-expose the surface of the jewelry that contains nickel, which can give you irritation. The solution to this is to have your jewelry re-plated.
10. How to extend the lifespan of Rhodium plating?
Here are some tips on how to care for rhodium-plated jewelry:
- Do not store rhodium-plated jewelry and other precious metals in the same jewelry box to avoid scratching.
- Wear gloves or take off your jewelry when working with chemicals. Harsh chemicals such as chlorine can harm your rhodium coating.
- Do not wait for a year to rhodium plate your jewelry if you wear them often. If you go early enough to your jeweler, it could be done free of charge, depending on their purchase policy.
- Do not wear multiple metal rings on one hand to avoid friction and scratches on your rhodium-plated jewelry.
- Remove your jewelry before swimming, taking showers or even just washing your hands. Constant contact with water will make it wear off faster.
Final words
Without a doubt, Rhodium plated pieces of jewelry have their own advantages. It helps improve the durability of the jewelry as well as make your jewelry items look more attractive with the bright appearance. However, it depends on your demand and how you willing to pay extra as the rhodium plated items are normally a bit pricey that not-plated ones. Last but not less, if you have already owned some rhodium plated jewelry items, make sure you follow the guidance to increase the lifespan of the plating.
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Related News
10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RHODIUM PLATING
What is rhodium and why we should care about it when it comes to purchasing a white gold jewelry item? Actually, there is nothing called pure white gold and there is always a rhodium coating over any white gold jewelry pieces because this adds to its durability and luster.
With that said, this article will take a closer look at Rhodium plating and why it is a great option for your jewelry. Whether you have never heard of it, or simply want to know more, here are the top ten things you need to know about rhodium plating.
1. What is Rhodium?
Rhodium is a silvery-white metal in the platinum family. It has highly reflective quality (up to 80% of light) that does not tarnish. Rhodium is allergy-friendly, harder than gold, and extremely durable.
Although there has been huge demand for rhodium especially in jewelry industry, this metal is very rare as it is never found as a single mineral. The production rate of the metal globally is roughly 30 tons yearly, which is actually very small compared to other metals. Copper, for example, is produced at a rate of 20 million metric tons per year. Aluminum comes in at 63 million metric tons. Due to the high demand yet it’s scarcity, rhodium is the world’s most expensive precious metal.
Rhodium has been used as a coating for jewelry and silverware since the 1930s.
2. What is Rhodium plating?
Rhodium plating is used to create a white reflective appearance on jewelry. As it is part of the platinum metal family, it is harder than gold so provides jewelry with a durable surface which resists scratches and tarnish. It is most commonly used to plate white gold as this metal naturally has a yellow tone, so by electroplating a layer of rhodium, the piece of jewelry will have a bright white finish.
3. What are benefits of Rhodium plating?
- Enhances luster: A thin coating of rhodium makes jewelry to be extra shiny enhancing the elegance of the jewelry.
- Safe to use: It is safe for people of all ages due to its hypoallergenic nature.
- Highly durable: Rhodium is not affected by air and water up to 1,112° F (600° C). This means it can withstand a high level of heat and moisture, while still remaining in good condition.
- Not overly costly: Although rhodium is the most expensive metal in the world, rhodium plating is more affordable than other precious stones. This is because only thin coating of Rhodium is needed to place any jewelry piece.
- Protects jewelry: It protects jewelry from scratching and enables it to last longer because of its strength.
4. What is ideal thickness of Rhodium plating?
As said, it seems pricey to use Rhodium to plate your jewelry but the fact is proper rhodium plating thickness is usually between 0.75 and 1.0 micron thick which sounds incredibly thin if we compare to gold plating.
At PNJP, we follow the international standard of rhodium thickness on our Silver and Gold jewelry lines to achieve the stable quality.
5. How long does Rhodium plating last?
Like gold plating, rhodium plating will eventually wear off over time due to contact with everyday elements such as air, water, and chemicals. The more frequently a piece of jewelry is worn, handled, or exposed to the elements, the faster the rhodium plating will degrade.
Thickness as well as quality of the plating also affects the lifespan of rhodium coating. A thicker rhodium plating will last longer, while a thinner layer of rhodium will need replacing more frequently. With a decent quality and thickness and regular maintenance and care, rhodium plated pieces can last for years before needing replacement.
A common misbelief is that rhodium plating only needs to be done once and is permanent.
As it is a metal, like any other metal used in jewelry, it is subject to wear and tear through exposure. So most white gold pieces on average will need to be rhodium plated every 12-18 months. This depends on how the item of jewelry is worn. Additionally, if the jewelry piece needs to go through any repair work or polishing, in most cases this also removes the rhodium plating and therefore will require it to be rhodium plated on completion.
6. Can I rhodium plate a yellow gold piece?
As yet Rhodium plating works well on silver and white gold, are you wondering if it is possible to have your yellow gold jewelry rhodium plated, in fact changing your jewelry color from yellow to bright white?
The answer is yes!
Apparently when you do this, you are giving your jewelry protection and improving its longevity. However, one thing you must know that as time goes by and the plating wears off, hints of the original color (yellow) or the jewel will begin to show. This might affect the overall appearance of the piece, making it look less attractive. Moreover, the exposed areas can be highly at risk of being tarnished when not re-plated immediately.
7. How many color options available for Rhodium plating?
Traditional rhodium is a vibrant silvery-white and highly reflective when clean. It’s often used to plate white gold or platinum to not only make the metal more durable, but also to give it a more silvery, attractive color.
Less popular one but desired by many people who look for a bold and unexpected look is Black rhodium. Exactly what it sounds like! Black rhodium is a dark, metallic gray plating composed of rhodium and other metals that can coat any of our precious metal selections and give them a cool, edgy aesthetic.
Both Black and White Rhodium are semi-permanent plating, meaning they will fade naturally over time the more you wear your piece
8. Is Rhodium plating expensive?
Don’t you know that Rhodium is one of the rarest and most expensive metal? While gold prices stand at over $1,990 per ounce at the time of publication – impressive, but nothing compared to rhodium. Currently the most expensive precious metal and one of the rarest, the price per ounce of rhodium stands at $8,300 at the time of publication. Hence, it is undeniable that Rhodium plated jewelry is expensive for sure.
Dependent on quality and size of jewelry that needs to be coated, Rhodium plating cost varies. Check out our rhodium plated jewelry: Melody of spring collection
9. Is Rhodium plated jewelry safe to wear?
At PNJP we can guarantee that our rhodium plated jewelry is safe to wear. You must know that rhodium is hypoallergenic and it acts as a guard between the metal and the skin to keep it safe. Many people face allergy/ irritation problem with their jewelry because of the allergy triggers such as nickel (used to make your gold jewelry more durable but irritate the skin and cause rashes and blisters, at PNJP we confirm the nickel content is in compliance with European standards) or even gold. Rhodium itself doesn’t easily oxidize, corrode, or react to your skin that’s why it is a great plating option for all jewelers.
Rhodium plated jewelry is absolutely safe to wear and Rhodium does not contain allergens. It is safe for young children and anyone with sensitive skin. However, over time, Rhodium plating can wear off, and this can re-expose the surface of the jewelry that contains nickel, which can give you irritation. The solution to this is to have your jewelry re-plated.
10. How to extend the lifespan of Rhodium plating?
Here are some tips on how to care for rhodium-plated jewelry:
- Do not store rhodium-plated jewelry and other precious metals in the same jewelry box to avoid scratching.
- Wear gloves or take off your jewelry when working with chemicals. Harsh chemicals such as chlorine can harm your rhodium coating.
- Do not wait for a year to rhodium plate your jewelry if you wear them often. If you go early enough to your jeweler, it could be done free of charge, depending on their purchase policy.
- Do not wear multiple metal rings on one hand to avoid friction and scratches on your rhodium-plated jewelry.
- Remove your jewelry before swimming, taking showers or even just washing your hands. Constant contact with water will make it wear off faster.
Final words
Without a doubt, Rhodium plated pieces of jewelry have their own advantages. It helps improve the durability of the jewelry as well as make your jewelry items look more attractive with the bright appearance. However, it depends on your demand and how you willing to pay extra as the rhodium plated items are normally a bit pricey that not-plated ones. Last but not less, if you have already owned some rhodium plated jewelry items, make sure you follow the guidance to increase the lifespan of the plating.