The process of rhodium plating of products involves applying a bright pink powder – rhodium – with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.25 microns to a metal plane. This is a very durable element. It has a high melting point, is resistant to external mechanical influences, does not oxidize, is not afraid of aggressive acidic, fluorine, sulfuric, chlorine environments, and is hypoallergenic. Rhodium is used as an anti-corrosion coating. It is resistant to temperature changes and does not fade over time.
Rhodium is rare in nature. It belongs to the platinum group metals. These two factors determine its high price.
Using an electrochemical reaction, a layer of rhodium is applied to the product. In a galvanic bath, an electric current passes through a special solution and, as a result, rhodium is released. It settles on the product, forming a protective film. The galvanic procedure is preceded by ultrasonic cleaning and degreasing of the entire surface to be coated. Preliminary polishing and grinding helps to obtain a perfectly smooth and clean surface for subsequent spraying. This correctly applied coating allows you to protect the product from environmental influences and create a platinum shine. Spraying has a high reflective ability. Therefore, rhodium plating is widely used by jewelers.
What kind of silver is this
Silver shines nobly, but over time it turns black. Blackening is a symptom of oxidation of copper, which is part of the alloy, therefore, the lower the sample, the more noticeable the oxide film on the surface (patina) will be. The ligature oxidizes as a result of interaction with sulfur compounds present in human sweat (therefore, it is recommended to remove silver jewelry while playing sports). Rhodium plating protects the metal from contact with the skin.
Which is correct - radiated or rhodium plated?
That's right - rhodium-plated, which means “silver plated with rhodium.” A metal called radium also exists, but it is radioactive and is not used on jewelry - it would be deadly.
Radium was isolated in its pure form by Marie Curie. He killed his discoverer: in 1934, Maria died from the consequences of many years of radiation. But rhodium is safe and does not cause allergies, which allows it to be used to improve the properties of the metals that we wear on our bodies.
Why is it plated with rhodium?
Rhodium is a noble metal of the platinum group. It is not subject to oxidation and corrosion, is very hard (2 times harder than platinum and 5 times harder than silver) and rare - rhodium is found in only a few tons on the entire planet. It is not flexible enough to be used in jewelry on its own, but rhodium plating on gold and silver is a popular technique because it prolongs the life of jewelry, protects it from patination, and gives it a specific shine.
Composition and properties
I will list the main features of rhodium that have led to its widespread use as a coating:
- hardness and strength;
- cold shine that does not fade;
- corrosion resistance.
Under ideal external conditions, rhodium reflects 80% of the rays of the visible spectrum. Gold reflects only 60%, that is, rhodium shines much brighter, and in combination with its resistance to mechanical damage, even longer. If an ordinary ring becomes covered with a network of small scratches and begins to require polishing just six months after purchase, then a rhodium-plated ring will retain its original appearance for several years.
Expert opinion
Vsevolod Kozlovsky
6 years in jewelry making. Knows everything about samples and can identify a fake in 12 seconds
Polishing in itself is not useful for jewelry, although it returns it to its marketable appearance. When processed with a machine, a layer of metal is removed, and the structure of the product weakens - this is not noticeable after one trip to the jeweler, but regularly polishing the ring over several years can seriously damage it. Rhodium plating helps avoid frequent processing and extends the life of jewelry.
The color of rhodium is white-silver, cold, more reminiscent of platinum than silver. If you put two rhodium plated rings side by side, one of which is made of silver and the other of white gold, it will be difficult to notice the difference. This allows you to wear jewelry made of different metals as a set, while wearing chains or rings of different shades together is considered a sign of bad taste.
Strength
Rhodium is a very durable metal and increases the wear resistance of a silver item when plated. A rhodium-plated ring is more resistant to deformation than a regular one and will serve the owner longer.
The hardness of rhodium on the Mohs scale is 6, the characteristic of a mineral with a similar hardness is “scratches glass, can be processed with a file.” Pure gold and silver have a hardness of 2.5, which is slightly higher than the hardness of materials that can be scratched with a fingernail (plaster, mica).
Samples
Silver is rhodium-plated with pure metal without a ligature (otherwise technically impossible). The fineness of rhodium-plated silver is usually 925. Gold is plated with rhodium more often, since it is more expensive than silver, and the coating greatly increases the cost of the item. According to the law, rhodium-plated products are branded according to the samples of the materials from which they are made.
Occasionally, costume jewelry is also rhodium-plated, but not mass-market jewelry, but designer jewelry, especially if it is produced in a limited edition.
White gold rhodium plating
Rhodium plating on the entire product is most often used on white gold. Such a metal does not exist in nature. White gold is an alloy of platinum, nickel, gold, and silver. It has a yellow tint. The higher the metal standard, the yellower the product itself. Rhodium plating gives the jewelry a platinum white shine and a marketable appearance. Such products are readily purchased. A rhodium-plated white gold engagement ring will not lose its original shine for many years. With daily wear, friction, and exposure to the environment, rhodium coating will prevent the ring from deteriorating.
The rhodium-plated surface has a mirror-like shine and zero roughness. Light is perfectly refracted in such a product. This looks most advantageous on white gold jewelry.
Receiving technology
Rhodium is applied to metal objects by electroplating. The anode (electrode with a positive potential) is the auxiliary product, and the cathode (electrode with a negative potential) is the decoration. The result is a layer of rhodium with a thickness of 0.1 to 25 microns.
Before starting the process, the item must be thoroughly polished, otherwise the coating will visually highlight the damage present on the surface. The best option is to process the item immediately after purchase (if this was not done at the factory).
How is it different from regular silver?
The differences are visible to the naked eye: rhodium plated rings and earrings look more shiny than bare ones. Not everyone likes this: many love the characteristic shade of silver and are not ready to exchange it for the bright, but erasing the individuality of the metal, shine of rhodium. Coated jewelry also features:
- increased wear resistance;
- hypoallergenic;
- corrosion resistance;
- long service time.
Advantages and disadvantages
To the advantages of rhodium plating, you can add the ability to choose the color of the coating (black looks chic and modern in combination with precious stones) and even change the color of an old piece of jewelry by simply taking it to the workshop.
Reading about the positive qualities of rhodium-plated silver, it is difficult to imagine that someone might not like it. Let's be fair - in addition to resistance to damage and aristocratic radiance, there are negative aspects. I will dwell on them in more detail.
- It is difficult to damage rhodium, but it is possible. If a scratch or crack appears on the surface, polishing will not do the job - you will need to completely remove the layer and reapply it. The same applies to damage to the material itself - for example, breakage of a ring.
- Rhodium plating needs to be renewed every 3–6 years (depending on the intensity of use of the item).
- If the jewelry is antique or antique-style, it will not be possible to protect it from damage with rhodium - it will begin to shine like new, and the rhodium may lie unevenly.
- The coating significantly increases the cost of the finished product.
How to care for rhodium-plated jewelry
Here are a few simple tips that will help preserve the rhodium coating for as long as possible:
- Do not use abrasives or chlorine-containing detergents to clean products.
- Remove jewelry before working out in the gym or swimming in the pool. Sweat and water purification products negatively affect the protective layer.
- Do not store rhodium-plated items in cardboard boxes, as they contain sulfur, which can destroy the coating.
- Try to avoid contact of products with any other jewelry. Do not wear rhodium-treated or regular rings on adjacent fingers.
- Use running water and jewelry wipes to clean items.
Before purchasing the product, check with the seller how long it will take to contact the workshop to re-apply the protective layer.
Where can you buy or sell
Rhodium-plated products are subject to the same rules as jewelry without an additional layer. It is better to buy from trusted stores, especially since the coating makes it difficult to recognize a fake: base metal coated with rhodium looks the same as silver or gold. Rhodium-plated items are accepted in pawnshops at the same price as ordinary ones, but it hardly makes sense to hand over silver - its price is low.
How much does 1 gram of this silver cost today?
In jewelry stores, rhodium-plated silver is more expensive than regular silver, since both rhodium itself and galvanic electrolysis are expensive. You can follow the course of pure rhodium according to the schedule:
| Price 999 standard according to the Central Bank | Market value of the sample today | Scrap price | Price in jewelry |
Rhodium plating of jewelry price
The rich and attractive shine of rhodium-plated products cannot leave jewelry lovers indifferent. Even those who are allergic to metal can afford rhodium-plated rings, earrings and chains. The strength of such a coating will leave the product itself intact for many years. If the layer is damaged, it will not be difficult for the jeweler to apply it again to the jewelry. The price for rhodium plating of jewelry in jewelry workshops starts from 1000 rubles/piece.
Recommendations for care, cleaning and storage
Rhodium protects silver from the harmful effects of the environment and minor scratches, but the protected ring also requires care:
- Protect the item from contact with aggressive substances (varnishes, solvents, ammonia, alcohol, household cleaners).
- Store separately in a case so that it does not come into contact with others.
- Take it off while you sleep, take a bath, or play sports.
- Clean only with cloths soaked in warm water or soapy water, without using abrasives.
Following the rules will protect the surface layer from rapid abrasion and prolong the life of the decoration. You can see in the photo what a rhodium-plated silver ring looks like when cared for with love:
Why is jewelry rhodium plated?
Rhodium is a metal that is designated in the periodic table as number 45, and it is indicated that it is white.
In this regard, many people have a question - why cover yellow, rose gold or silver with white? In fact, rhodium is a unique metal. It is not only much more expensive than even platinum, but also many times stronger. Accordingly, rhodium plating, that is, rhodium coating, is an excellent protection for jewelry from all mechanical damage and exposure to adverse external factors, including aggressive environments.
Over time, micro scratches appear on any piece of jewelry; soft metals such as gold are especially susceptible to such damage. In addition, when washing, washing dishes and other contacts with aggressive environments, the metal becomes dull, loses its shine and attractiveness. Every owner of jewelry knows that after some time, both silver and gold jewelry can become dull and unattractive. Rhodium plating of jewelry allows you to solve this problem. Rhodium plating reliably protects the product and extends its service life.
In addition, rhodium has an incredible shine, surpassing even platinum in this indicator. Thus, rhodium plating makes it possible not only to protect the jewelry from various damages, but also to give it a special shine, that is, to make it more attractive.
Reviews
Anna Ivanova: I'm delighted, it just shines. I decided to plate an old ring, my mother’s, with rhodium in order to wear it longer. I paid 800 rubles for a thin ring, but in my opinion, it’s worth it.
Tatyana: And I love such jewelry, it’s especially nice that they shine like gold and cost almost like silver.
Ivan: We applied this coating to wedding rings and noticed that as it wears out, the yellow color of the gold appears. Looks like an amateur. But there really are no noticeable scratches.
