What Is Rhodium Plating?

What Is Rhodium?

Rhodium is an extremely durable metal that is part of the platinum family and is a bright silvery-white color. Highly reflective, it will not tarnish and is allergy-friendly and harder than gold – which makes it ideal for jewelry plating!

What Is Rhodium Plating?

Jewelers use two methods to rhodium plate jewelry – electrical or chemical. The procedure bonds a thin layer of one metal over another metal. Most rhodium plating processes use electroplating. Jewelers clean the original piece to remove any dirt or contaminants that could affect the plating process. After cleaning, the jeweler applies a positive electrical charge to the piece, then fuses a thin layer of rhodium over it.

Electroplating is a precise procedure that can take up to 90 minutes per piece of jewelry. Jewelry that people wear daily, like rings, needs a thicker layer of rhodium than pieces like earrings or pendants.

Can Rhodium Plating Be Used Over Yellow Gold?

Rhodium plating can be used over yellow gold. Rhodium plating will cover the yellow, but as the plating wears off, the yellow gold will show.

 

What Are The Benefits Of Rhodium?

Here are a few of the benefits:

• The plating process gives metals like white gold more shine and protects against daily wear, preventing softer metals from scratching.
• Rhodium is easy to clean.
• Jewelry plated with rhodium does not cause skin reactions – great for people with sensitive skin and metal allergies.
• Shiny rhodium plated jewelry does not tarnish, but it does wear out over time.

How Long Does Rhodium Plating Last?

Like other plated jewelry pieces, you’ll need to have your rhodium pieces dipped occasionally. Harsh chemicals, like hand sanitizer, chlorinated pool water and cleaners, can reduce the lifespan of rhodium plating. Some perfumes and cosmetics can damage rhodium and other precious metals, so clean jewelry as soon as you notice any residue.

Pieces you wear daily might need to be dipped every 12 to 24 months. Most jewelers can rhodium dip your jewelry and have it ready for you in a few days. Pieces you wear infrequently might need to be dipped every ten years.

How To Increase The Lifespan Of Rhodium Plating

You can extend the life of your rhodium-plated pieces by wearing gloves or taking off your rings when working with chemicals. Remove your jewelry before you go swimming, use hand sanitizer, when you wash your hands and put on your jewelry after you’ve applied fragrances and makeup. While water won’t harm the rhodium plating, the friction from towel drying can wear it down.

If you have yellow-gold jewelry with rhodium plating, you’ll notice the yellow color show through as the plating wears. White gold pieces take longer to show as the plating is similar in color. You’ll most likely notice areas with less luster as the rhodium plating wears.

Rhodium Plating FAQs

Does Rhodium Plating Turn Green?

Pure rhodium that is nickel-free does not tarnish – it’s also corrosion-resistant and therefore won’t rust. But because rhodium is ultra-durable, it is often alloyed with metals like nickel or copper that can leave behind green marks on your skin.

Is Rhodium Hypoallergenic?

As long as it does not contain trace elements of nickel, rhodium is hypoallergenic. It acts as a guard between the metal and the skin to keep it safe. If you have a nickel, gold, or other allergy rhodium is the perfect choice to protect your skin from irritation.

Does Rhodium Tarnish?

Rhodium does not tarnish. It should be kept clean, however. You can use soap and a toothbrush to gently cleanse your jewelry of dirt or other build up. Or you can bring your jewelry to Diamonds by Monet for a free steam clean. To protect the integrity of the rhodium don’t wear it when you go swimming or perform other strenuous activities.

How Do I Know If My Jewelry Is Rhodium Plated?

Rhodium displays a much more silvery finish than white gold which tends to appear more yellowy. Most white gold in the jewelry industry is rhodium plated and you can always check with a local jeweler whether or not your item is plated.

How Often Do I Need To Get My Jewelry Rhodium Dipped?

Plan on getting your jewelry dipped with rhodium once a year for regular use. If it’s a ring and you wear it all the time, you may want to consider getting it plated twice a year to retain durability and ward off scratches.