What is rhodium plated sterling silver

Rhodium plated jewelry adds an extra layer of protection to jewelry and produces a brighter white than sterling silver, white gold, or platinum. Realistically, jewelry cannot be crafted from solid rhodium because, despite its strength, rhodium is brittle. A layer of rhodium plating must be just the right thickness to keep it from cracking Any thinner and the metal underneath would show; any thicker and the coating would crack.

That perfect layer of rhodium can enhance the appearance, quality, and longevity of your jewelry. Rhodium is hypoallergenic because it does not contain nickel that can cause serious skin reactions. It actually guards against other metals alloyed with nickel to keep your skin safe. If you have a nickel allergy or just want to protect your skin, then rhodium is an excellent choice for you. Rhodium is non-toxic and completely safe.

Because rhodium is nickel-free, it does not irritate ears or leave behind skin rashes. Rhodium is nickel-free, so it does not tarnish. Rhodium is also corrosion-resistant and does not rust.

Because rhodium is strong, it does not need to be alloyed with other metals like nickel or copper that, over time, will corrode and leave behind dark green marks on your skin. Rhodium plating comparison. Rhodium plated silver is sterling silver coated in rhodium to make it whiter and brighter. Silver is a softer metal, so rhodium protects it from scratches or wear. Solid silver is too soft to be fashioned into jewelry, so it contains The traces of copper and nickel in sterling silver cause tarnishing.

Adding rhodium plating prevents this from happening. Silver is not as white or reflective as rhodium. It is softer and must be combined with other metals that make it susceptible to tarnishing. Sterling silver is often a base metal for rhodium since it is sturdy and high-quality. Rhodium adds some value and imperishability to silver.

Whether you prefer rhodium plated or sterling silver jewelry is based on preference. But luckily, you're not forced to choose. Rhodium plated and sterling silver jewelry work best together. Sterling silver does contain nickel and copper and will tarnish and turn your finger green over time. But when coated in a layer of rhodium, silver becomes a better metal. Rhodium protects your skin from the small amount of nickel silver and removes the risk of tarnishing. Rhodium plating, also known as rhodium dip or rhodium flashing, is used to increase the durability, luster and light reflection of a piece of jewelry.

Because it is a hard metal, a rhodium plated piece of jewelry will be more scratch resistant. Rhodium plating is mainly used on silver-hued metals, such as white gold, palladium or silver. Most rhodium plating has a thickness of. The ideal thickness for rhodium plating is. Although this may sound extremely thin, it is considered thick enough for rings and other jewelry items that are exposed to rough wear.

For jewelry items such as earrings and pendants that are more sheltered or for jewelry that is not worn frequently, a thickness of. If, however, rhodium plating is too thin, it can cause the jewelry to become discolored.

Jewelers have to ensure that they plate the jewelry with the ideal thickness. Rhodium plating can be used on yellow gold to change its color to white. However, bear in mind that as the plating starts to wear off, the yellow color will start to bleed through. This will result in a piece of jewelry that looks discolored or yellow-tinted. To avoid that, the piece may require re-plating more frequently.

Sterling silver is a white metal and does not need rhodium plating to acquire its color. However, it tends to tarnish over time. To prevent this, rhodium plating silver jewelry will ensure that the piece is highly lustrous and remains tarnish-free for a long time. Over time, as the plating wears off, the white of the silver will come through, but will not be noticeable like gold.

Those exposed sections may acquire some tarnish but this can easily be polished at home. Rhodium plated ring with black sapphire by Delarah. Yes, it is. This is because rhodium does not contain any allergens such as nickel. Instead, you can choose sterling silver and polish it when required. When sterling silver is rhodium plated, the durability of the jewelry is increased.

Rhodium is a hard metal unlike silver which is quite soft. Rhodium plating reduces the likelihood of the piece gaining scratches, making the piece more resistant to scratches. Silver in its pure form is hypoallergenic but sterling silver is not always so. This is because sterling silver is an alloy and can contain common metal allergens such as nickel. For those sensitive to metal allergies, sterling silver can sometimes cause reactions. Rhodium plating is permanent but like all types of plating, it tends to flake off over time due to exposure and wear and tear.

As a result, rhodium plated sterling silver jewelry may require re-plating after a while, often every 2 years or so. For less exposed jewelry such as earrings or necklaces, replating may only be required about once in 10 years.

The good news is that because sterling silver is white, it will be difficult to see when the plating has worn off, unlike with white gold, where the base metal is yellow-tinged. The best way to keep rhodium plated sterling silver jewelry lustrous and reflective is by maintaining it carefully. Although rhodium is brittle, it is hard and durable.

Therefore, plating sterling silver with rhodium will transfer the durability of rhodium to the sterling silver piece. The durability of a rhodium-plated piece is further enhanced by its corrosion-free state.

The hardness of metals is determined by the MOH hardness rating. This rating determines the hardness of metals, relative to their resistance to scratching. On this scale that runs from 1 — 10, rhodium is rated 6 while sterling silver is rated 3. Therefore, rhodium is more resistant to scratching than sterling silver.

Sterling silver is known for its natural glossy finish, but we also know that sterling silver tarnishes with time, leaving you with an ugly looking piece. Rhodium-plating keeps a piece of jewelry looking great from the time you first buy it to its next reapplication.

Today, your search for the best jewelry piece is guided by several elements of the jewelry and on top of that list is whether the piece will react with your skin or not. With most of us suffering the effect of the nickel allergies from jewelry, having a non-reactive piece of jewelry is a welcome relief.