Rhodium Plating

Rhodium is a precious metal and a member of the platinum family. On jewelery, rhodium electroplating is used to provide a surface that will resist scratches and tarnish and gives a white, reflective appearance.

Why use Rhodium Plating?

The term white gold is something of a misnomer. Gold is actually yellow. What jewelers call white gold today is an alloy (mixture) of gold and a white metal – usually nickel, silver, or palladium (another member of the platinum family). Metals known as white are actually more of a gray color, so white gold has a yellowish cast. The higher the karat weight, the more gold there is in the alloy, therefore the more yellow the cast appears. Since the wearer of white gold is looking for a bright white look, a very thin layer of rhodium electroplating is used to make that jewelry shine. White gold plated with rhodium will also keep its good looks longer - rhodium will not tarnish or discolor, and since it is a harder substance, it is much less likely to get scratched.

Will Rhodium Plating Wear Off?

Yes it will. It is important to be aware that rhodium plating does not last forever. The plating on something that takes a lot of wear, like a wedding ring, can wear away in as little as two years, while a necklace or pin that is worn less frequently or comes in less contact with your skin or the elements can keep its plating for ten or more years. You can tell when the plating is wearing away by the look of the piece; the area without the plating will show the yellowish color of the original white gold. Discoloration can also occur on the un-plated areas, and in some rare instances, your skin will have a slight reddening reaction to the exposed alloy.

How Long Will Rhodium Plating Last?

Two Tone white gold ring with rhodium platingIt all depends on the body chemistry of the person wearing the ring, how active they are and the alloys of the item itself. We have some people who get their ring re-plated every 18 months, others every six months. You will be the best judge, as you wear your jewelry item and if you notice any color change than have it re-plated.

Can I Get it Re-plated?

Yes you can. A quick trip to the Miner's Dens is all it takes to bring your piece back to life. Most jewelry items can be easily re-plated, although re-plating a two-toned piece will be more expensive because the work needs to be done by hand. Prices will also vary according to the thickness of the rhodium plate that you choose to use, the thicker the plating, the more metal is used, therefore the more expensive the process is. Choose thicker layers for items you wear every day, like a wedding or engagement ring. The extra one-time expense will be well worth it in the long run, because you won’t have to have the item re-plated as frequently.

Re-plating will not fill in dents, dings and scratches, it will only make them shinier and more noticeable! We will always clean and polish your jewelry before it is re-plated. The smoother the piece is to start with, the better the effect you will get from the re-plating process. Remember, all items purchased at the Miner's Den are re-plated at a discount.

What Other Metals are Rhodium Plated?

Sometimes platinum or silver jewelry is rhodium-plated. In the case of platinum; rhodium is a bit brighter than platinum, so it is used to enhance the shine. The reasons for silver are a little different. Silver is actually more reflective (shinier) than rhodium, but silver is also a much softer metal, and can be scratched very easily. So the owner of a rhodium-plated silver piece is trading a small bit of shine for a longer, scratch-free life.

When the plating begins to wear away from a platinum or silver piece, it will be much less noticeable because the metal underneath will appear to be gray, not yellowish. Silver can tarnish, but platinum won’t, and neither sterling silver nor platinum will cause a skin reaction if exposed. In this case, have the item re-plated when the look of it is bothersome.

If you are shopping for a new piece of jewelry in white gold, platinum, or silver, be sure and ask if the item has been rhodium plated. Often, customers buy rhodium-plated pieces without realizing it. Knowing how your new jewelry was made will help you maintain it properly and enjoy its beauty for years.