The Rodin of Gold
Discovered in 1803, rhodium is a rare and noble platinum group metal with a vibrant silver-white color. Almost 80% of all rhodium comes from platinum mines in South Africa and, with only a small amount available annually (around 20 tonnes), it is the most expensive metal in the world - up to 25 times more more expensive than gold.
Why should jewelry be plated with rhodium?
This thin layer deposited on the surface of the jewelry enhances the appearance, quality and longevity of the jewelry. Rhodium does not tarnish, does not corrode and is extremely durable. However, it is a very brittle metal and is not easily shaped, and as a result, pure rhodium cannot be made into jewelry. But when used to plate other jewelry, rhodium improves the metal's durability, adds an extra layer of protection, and produces a brighter white than silver, white gold, or platinum. Being a hard metal, a rhodium-plated piece of jewelry will be more resistant to scratches.
In addition, rhodium plating is hypoallergenic. And this is because pomegranate does not contain allergens such as nickel. If you have a piece of jewelry that causes skin reactions, rhodium plating the piece can eliminate this problem.
What is the cladding procedure?
Plating can be done galvanically (galvanizing is an operation that consists of depositing layers of rhodium on other metals, such as gold for example) in a galvanic bath or using a plating system with a galvanic pen – this procedure is only used for surfaces small and for fine corrections. There are two types of rhodium solutions for galvanic baths: white and black. The white rhodium solution creates a beautiful silvery white luster, and when black rhodium is used, the jewelry has a shiny black surface.
The ideal thickness for rhodium plating is 0.75 to 1.0 microns.
How long does rhodium plating on a piece of jewelry last?
Like any other metal used in jewelry, rhodium tends to degrade with exposure to the environment. Typically, a ring should be replated every 1-2 years, but this can vary depending on how much wear the part has as well as the thickness of the plating. If it is a piece that is not worn daily, plating can last 7-10 years.
