✨ What is Silver Rhodium Plating?
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Rhodium plating (or rhodium plating ) is a finishing process that is commonly applied to silver jewelry (but also to white gold jewelry) to improve its appearance, durability, and resistance to oxidation (tarnishing).
Essentially, rhodium plating involves covering the silver object with a very thin layer of rhodium , an extremely rare and expensive precious metal that belongs to the platinum family.
Why is Rhodium Used?
Rhodium is the metal of choice for this process for three main reasons:
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Color and Luster: Rhodium gives silver a bright, mirror-like white finish that is highly desirable and helps silver keep its new appearance longer.
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Tarnish Protection: Silver is notorious for its tendency to tarnish and blacken over time due to its reaction with air and sulfur compounds. The rhodium layer acts as a protective barrier that prevents the underlying silver from coming into contact with oxidizing agents.
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Hardness: Rhodium is a very hard metal, which means it provides greater resistance to scratches and everyday wear than untreated silver.
💡 Benefits and What to Expect
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Advantages: Rhodium-plated silver is brighter, more resistant to tarnishing and wear than untreated silver. It also gives an appearance very similar to high-quality white gold.
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Durability: It's important to note that the rhodium layer is a plating and, with time and use, can wear and fade , especially on rings or pieces that are subject to more friction. When this happens, the jewelry can be re-rhodiumed to restore its finish.
In short, rhodium plating is the secret to keeping your silver jewelry beautiful, shiny, and tarnish-resistant for much longer.