Using Rhodium for Plating Silver Jewelry
Rhodium plated silver ring with smokey quartz
Rhodium Plating silver jewelry is used to protect it from oxidation and also make it more durable and protect it from scratches.
Rhodium is a member of the platinum metals group and it is found in Russia, South Africa, and Canada. It is considered the most expensive metal on earth.
Among numerous other physical characteristics such as hardness, and high reflectivity, rhodium has an extraordinary resistance to most acids and corrosive substances. It is one of the few “white” metals that will remain bright and reflective under all atmospheric conditions at ordinary temperatures. As a result, electroplated surfaces that utilize rhodium plating remain scratch resistant, bright and attractive for years.
One of the minor cosmetic trade-offs for plating rhodium onto silver is that the rhodium finish will not be as bright or reflective as the original silver finish. Rhodium reflects about 72%-80% of the light rays that strike it. Silver reflects up to 95% of all incidental light that strikes it. However, over the long term rhodium will stay “brighter” than silver because of its superior resistance to tarnishing and scratching.
Rhodium is a member of the platinum metals group and it is found in Russia, South Africa, and Canada. It is considered the most expensive metal on earth.
Among numerous other physical characteristics such as hardness, and high reflectivity, rhodium has an extraordinary resistance to most acids and corrosive substances. It is one of the few “white” metals that will remain bright and reflective under all atmospheric conditions at ordinary temperatures. As a result, electroplated surfaces that utilize rhodium plating remain scratch resistant, bright and attractive for years.
One of the minor cosmetic trade-offs for plating rhodium onto silver is that the rhodium finish will not be as bright or reflective as the original silver finish. Rhodium reflects about 72%-80% of the light rays that strike it. Silver reflects up to 95% of all incidental light that strikes it. However, over the long term rhodium will stay “brighter” than silver because of its superior resistance to tarnishing and scratching.