What is Rhodium Plating technology?

Rhodium plating of gold jewelry

White gold jewelry looks beautiful, expensive and unusual. Now they are at the peak of their popularity. On the pages of magazines, no, no, and a celebrity with a white ring on his finger will flash by.

But the white shade of metal has some peculiarity that most people are not aware of. It simply does not exist in nature.

It is produced by alloying the chemical composition of ordinary yellow gold and depositing a layer of rhodium on its surface. Otherwise, this process is called gold rhodium plating.

What is rhodium

In natural conditions it is quite rare. Rhodium is a platinum group metal. The total volume of the studied deposits does not exceed several tens of tons. Deposits of this metal are always located in close proximity to palladium ores. It looks very similar to silver and platinum. It differs from them in a brighter shine.

Rhodium belongs to the group of refractory alloys. Its melting point is 1963 ºC. The metal begins to boil at 3700 ºC. The density of rhodium exceeds lead and is equal to 12,410 kg/m3. It stands out for its high mechanical characteristics. Its tensile strength is 470 MPa, and its hardness ranges from 1350 GPa according to Brinell. Does not react chemically with most organic and inorganic acids. Resistant to alkalis.

Surprisingly, in the middle of the 20th century in our country rhodium was considered almost a useless metal. It was sold for mere pennies to European powers, or even worse, completely thrown into waste. This happened due to the lack of proper knowledge about the unique properties of rhodium. The situation changed only during the Soviet era, when the government decided to open an institute for the study of precious metals.

Now Russia occupies one of the leading positions in the extraction and sale of this metal.

Nowadays, one of the key areas of application of rhodium is the jewelry industry. Gold jewelry is coated with rhodium to give it a white, noble color.  

Gold rhodium plating technology

Plating gold with rhodium occurs using galvanic chemistry methods. This method has been known since the beginning of the 20th century. Its essence lies in the deposition of one metal onto the surface of another in a special solution - an electrolyte - by passing an electric current through it. This technology makes it possible to obtain coatings several micrometers thick.

The coating process itself is as follows:

• A bath with a capacity of 100-200 liters is filled with an electrolyte, which is a compound based on rhodium and acid.
• Gold and a metal plate are immersed in the bath, which will serve as the cathode and anode respectively.
• Then connect the container to an electric battery. Under the influence of current, the electrolyte disintegrates into ions - positively charged rhodium and negatively charged acidic residue.
• Further, as we already know from the school physics course, charges with opposite signs begin to attract each other. As a result, the gold jewelry is completely covered with the purest rhodium.

However, before sending yellow gold jewelry for rhodium plating, it must first be prepared to ensure better and tighter adhesion to the rhodium layer. This process consists of the following stages:

• Mechanical cleaning. Gold jewelry is polished with special fine-grained sandpaper. This is necessary to clean the surface of the gold from remaining small impurities.
• Chemical cleaning. It is carried out by degreasing method. Gold is dipped into an alcohol solution and kept there for several minutes. The goal is to remove moisture from the surface of the precious metal.
• Immediately before rhodium plating, decoping is carried out. Gold jewelry is placed at room temperature for 20-30 seconds in a 100% sulfuric acid solution. This is done in order to achieve a more even surface and, accordingly, a tighter adhesion of rhodium to gold.

The advantage of rhodium plating

White gold is made by alloying regular yellow gold with metals such as palladium, platinum and nickel. Each such alloy differs not only in mechanical properties, but also in color.

Palladium makes gold look more like steel, with its characteristic metallic gray hue. This gold has good performance characteristics. It is noticeably stronger than its yellow “brother”. Rhodium plating is used here to give wear resistance to the precious metal and a brighter shade. The only drawback of palladium white gold is its relatively high cost.

Platinum-based white gold is in no way inferior in its properties to the material described above. Its color is even deeper and richer. But the price of such metal is also several points higher.

White gold made from nickel has a yellowish-gray tint. Quite durable. Solid. Convenient to use. But it has one significant drawback. The fact is that nickel itself is an allergen for some people. Wearing jewelry containing it for a long time often causes redness and rashes on the skin. Rhodium plating is used to isolate nickel from contact with the human body.

Let's summarize all of the above. So, the main advantages of rhodium plating are:

• Wear resistance. Gold itself is a ductile metal and tends to scratch when it touches metal surfaces. Rhodium plating significantly reduces the risk of this defect.
• Original style. Plating with a layer of rhodium gives the gold a white, rich color that matches the latest fashion trends.
• Hyperallergenic. Rhodium protects human skin from the harmful effects of nickel contained in white gold.

But, as elsewhere, rhodium plating has its drawbacks:

• Due to limited supplies, rhodium has a fairly high price. The cost of rhodium plating depends on factors such as the thickness of the plating, the complexity of the design and the size of the jewelry. In Moscow, a 20 micron thick birth coating on a wedding ring will cost 1,000 rubles.
• After 1-2 years, the jewelry will require repeated rhodium plating. The reason for this is the gradual abrasion of the rhodium layer.

Source: https://prompriem.ru/metally/rodirovanie-zolota.html

Rhodium: the rarest precious metal | SOKOLOV Magazine

Those who have nothing to do with precious metals and see them only in jewelry sometimes underestimate rhodium. One interesting fact can refute this opinion.

Once upon a time, at a rhodium processing factory, there was a unique mortar for grinding the precious metal. She looked ordinary, except that she weighed 30 kg. However, its price turned out to be commensurate with the cost of the entire plant. And all because the material for the mortar was a very rare noble metal - rhodium.

What is rhodium?

In the periodic table D.I. Mendeleev, it is known as element 45, which in reality is one of the rarest precious metals on Earth.

Rhodium was discovered in 1803 by the famous English scientist William Hyde Wollaston. The researcher discovered a bright pink powder in a native platinum solution. After rolling in a hydrogen atmosphere, the reddish powder turned into a white heavy metal that looked like aluminum.

For its special shade it received the name ροδον, which translated from Greek means “rose”.

History of rhodium

The amount of rhodium in platinum is measured in fractions of a percent, and for a long time the precious metal was practically unattainable.

In 1819-1824, the richest placers of so-called raw (that is, native) platinum were discovered in the Urals. A few years after this, its quantity was about two tons. For further processing, platinum was sent to St. Petersburg, and rhodium and other accompanying metals were discarded.

Only in the 40s of the 19th century, Kazan University professor K.K. Klaus became interested in the Ural deposits and found in them “no small amounts of rhodium, iridium, osmium and palladium.” At the same time, the scientist discovered a previously unknown platinum group metal - ruthenium.

Despite the fact that until the beginning of the 20th century, about 95% of the world's platinum reserves were mined in Russia, the use of the rare metals accompanying it was never found, and rhodium was sold abroad, one might say, for next to nothing.

In 1918, the Institute for the Study of Platinum and Other Precious Metals was opened in our country, where the most important studies of rhodium were carried out. And already in 1925, the rarest metal was first obtained in the USSR.

Until now, it, like other platinum group metals, is obtained from “raw” platinum or during the process of refining gold. However, even in our time, the properties of this incredibly rare element are not fully understood.

Why is rhodium valuable?

Its high melting point (1960 degrees) and resistance to external influences have made it popular in many industries, including chemicals, glass and jewelry.

The world's rhodium reserves amount to only a few tens of tons. Despite the fact that the cost of rhodium is several times higher than gold, the demand for it is increasing every year.

Compared to other platinum group metals, rhodium is brighter and harder - it only becomes ductile when heated.

Rhodium does not oxidize in air, it is not afraid of a humid environment, the influence of acids, sulfur, chlorine, fluorine and other aggressive environments. Due to its high strength, rhodium is more durable than other metals. Its reflectivity is about 80%. Of course, it is lower than that of silver, but the resistance to corrosion and temperature effects of rhodium is much higher.

That is why it is used as a protective and decorative coating for jewelry made of gold and silver.

Rhodium plating

Rhodium plating is the application of a thin layer of rhodium (0.1 - 0.25 microns) to the surface of jewelry. The coating improves not only the appearance of metals, giving the surface a platinum shine, but also their chemical and mechanical properties. In addition, rhodium does not tarnish over time.

Metal is applied to jewelry using an electrochemical reaction. Electroplating requires special attention, precise adherence to the technological process itself and preparation for it.

The product goes through several stages: ultrasonic washing, degreasing in alkali and sulfuric acid solutions, washing and treatment in a steam generator. At the final stage, the surface is treated with a special marker under the influence of electric current or completely dipped into a galvanic bath.

Rhodium is a metal with a white luster, so the coating looks especially advantageous on jewelry made of white gold and silver. In products made of red gold, with the help of a decorative coating, a combination of several shades of metal is achieved in one piece of jewelry without the use of soldering different alloys.

Traditionally, rhodium is used to cover the settings of jewelry stones (for example, diamonds or sapphires) to highlight the shine of jewelry inserts.

Black rhodium plating

Jewelers often use black rhodium plating, which gives the jewelry a slightly aged or, on the contrary, a fresh, modern look, and the stones against this “background” look brighter and more expressive. What determines the color of rhodium?

If you carefully read the composition on packages of rhodium of various shades, you will notice that they all differ in only one component - a solution of salts. The color of the future coating depends on it. Otherwise, rhodium of different colors is absolutely identical, which means it retains all the same properties as the light metal we are used to.

Caring for rhodium-plated products

First of all, you need to remember that rhodium plating is just a coating, a thin protective layer on the surface of the jewelry. Therefore, forget about powders, sandpaper and other abrasive substances, the use of which risks damaging the product.

If the rod is damaged, the best thing is to contact a specialist who will quickly restore the decorative coating. If this is not possible, use the same methods as for cleaning silver.

Source: https://sokolov.ru/blog/about-jewelry/precious-metals/rodij-cennej-chem-zoloto/

Rhodium plating: benefits, cost and reviews

Products made from white gold are incredibly beautiful and noble. But it's not just about external attractiveness. Many people do not even suspect that this metal does not exist in nature. The white color of the metal is given by impurities of silver, nickel or palladium.

White gold alloys may vary in shade in different producing countries. And the thinnest rhodium coating gives them a snow-white color and shine. Around the world, most white gold jewelry is rhodium plated.

Rhodium is the 45th element in D.I. Mendeleev’s periodic table, a metal of the platinum group, in reality one of the rarest metals on Earth. Its world reserves amount to only a few tens of tons. Unlike platinum, rhodium is lighter in color.

Physical properties: 

• has a unique shine and high strength (it becomes plastic only when heated),
• It is resistant to various types of mechanical stress, as well as to the action of chemical compounds.

Due to its rather significant melting point (1960 degrees) and resistance to external influences, the element is highly valued in such industries as chemical, glass and especially jewelry. For its shade, it received its name from the Greek “ροδον” - rose.

For a long time, it was almost impossible to extract rhodium due to its low content in platinum (a fraction of a percent). But with the increase in the development of platinum deposits, the volume of production of the metals accompanying it has also increased. Yet the value of rhodium was not immediately appreciated.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, about 95% of all platinum on the planet was mined in Russia; the rhodium accompanying it was never learned to be used and was sold for next to nothing. It was only in 1925 that rhodium was first isolated and obtained as a separate metal.

To date, the properties of this element remain not fully understood. It is obtained from the so-called raw platinum or during the process of refining gold.

Jewelry rhodium reflects up to 80% of the visible part of the spectrum, which cannot be said about products made of yellow and red gold, which, in turn, reflect only 60% of the spectrum.

Thus, the product is transformed for the better, and its service life increases. Rhodium-plated jewelry is also suitable for those who are allergic to pure gold.

In addition to gold, silver and platinum are coated with rhodium; it can be used to highlight the beauty and exclusivity of diamonds and even hide their defects.

Rhodium plating of red and white gold

Rhodium plating is applied not only to white gold items, but also to yellow and red gold. The only difference is that the traces of abrasion of the coating on such products are more noticeable and striking.

Therefore, most often in red gold products those parts that contain decorative elements or inserts are rhodium-plated.

In fact, rhodium in such products is applied in order to emphasize the beauty of the product and only in those places where the risk of friction is minimal. Rhodium plating of yellow gold is also done segmentally.

What color is rhodium?

Rhodium is a platinum group metal that can be found in several colors - black, white, pink or yellow. Such properties are convenient for adding exclusivity to jewelry.

The most popular is white coating. The cold shine of rhodium looks best in combination with the shine of diamonds, cubic zirconia or other transparent stones.

Rhodium plating is a real salvation for products with inserts of small stones, because makes them shine and shimmer and contrast with gold of any color.

Rings coated with black rhodium with inserts of dark diamonds look fascinating. They are characterized by volume, sculpture and at the same time sophistication.

Such jewelry is rare, since the technology for their production is not available to every jewelry house. The color intensity can vary - from pale gray to intense black. The cost of black jewelry is quite high, which is explained by the complex technology of its production.

Cost of rhodium plating gold

Rhodium plating is applied in almost any jewelry workshop. You can coat equipment with a layer of rhodium, and the shine will be lost, but chemical stability to oxidation will remain and abrasion resistance will increase.

For jewelry such as a chain or ring, rhodium plating is done either by immersion or selectively. The selective method is used to highlight the beauty of the stones and make them shimmer beautifully in the light.

In a procedure such as rhodium plating of gold, the price is set depending on the source material of the product, the area of ​​work, the thickness of the coating and the price of rhodium set by the workshop itself.

Thus, technical rhodium plating will cost approximately 20-30 rubles per 1 cm. Decorative rhodium plating of a product will cost an average of 500 rubles. Restoration of coatings on precious metals costs from 800 rubles, and on costume jewelry from 1000 rubles.

Pros and cons of rhodium plating

People who know jewelry often underestimate rhodium. However, these people have absolutely no idea that this metal is very expensive.

A well-known fact: one rhodium processing factory had a mortar weighing 30 kg. It looked quite ordinary, but its cost exceeded the cost of the entire plant, because... it was made entirely of rhodium.

In order to obtain white gold, palladium, nickel or platinum is added to its alloy. Products made of gold and platinum are very beautiful and durable, but also expensive. Rhodium plating is not required for such jewelry.

Palladium gives gold a steely appearance, so rhodium plating will strengthen it and improve its appearance, giving it shine and shine.

In Russia, the most common gold is with the addition of nickel. Its shade is yellowish-gray. In addition, such an alloy, upon contact with human skin, can cause reactions such as rashes, redness and other unpleasant sensations.

Therefore, rhodium plating of such products has two goals - to improve the color and to prevent the possible occurrence of allergies in the future owner.

Advantages of the rhodium birth procedure:

1. Protection - prevents the appearance of microcracks, as a result of the procedure the product acquires increased strength. This is especially true for those products that are worn daily.
2. Aesthetics - the appearance of the product is noticeably improved - it acquires the original steel noble shine and radiance
3. Products coated with rhodium are absolutely hypoallergenic.

Despite the obvious advantages, there are still several disadvantages that cannot be ignored before purchasing rhodium-plated jewelry:

1. Unfortunately, over time, the coating wears out and its integrity depends on the thickness and operating conditions.
2. Although rhodium itself is an expensive metal, because... Its reserves in nature are limited, but its cost is compensated by the thickness of the coating of the products. And yet rhodium-plated jewelry is more expensive. So, 1 gram of 585-carat white gold will cost from 2,500, 750-carat - from 3,500 rubles per gram.
3. At high temperatures, rhodium can come off the surface of the metal.
4. It is impossible to assess the value and quality of a metal that is coated with rhodium, therefore, when selling, making sure that it is the declared precious metal under the rhodium layer can only be done by violating its integrity.

It is easy to care for a rhodium-plated product. It is enough to remember that despite the wear resistance, the coating gradually wears out, especially when in contact with liquids. Therefore, it is worth removing such jewelry before taking a shower or washing dishes.

A product that has lost the integrity of its coating looks even worse than if the coating was missing. And its restoration, although accessible, can take a lot of time. In the workshop, the old coating will be completely removed and covered with a new one.

In addition to careful wear, it is also necessary to regularly wipe the product with polishing cloths using a special product that can be purchased at any jewelry store. The use of abrasive substances is prohibited to avoid scratches on the product.

Reviews about rhodium plating

Judging by reviews on the Internet, rhodium-plated gold is more beautiful than its unplated counterpart, but not everyone likes it. Negative aspects include the fact that, despite their beauty, products coated with a layer of rhodium are still similar to each other, which does not suit everyone.

Another inconvenience is the need to restore the coating in workshops from time to time so that the product remains beautiful and shining for many years.

If jewelry with artificial or semi-precious stones is rhodium-plated, then craftsmen usually advise removing them, because. there is a risk of damage or deterioration.

Date: 03/20/2017

Source: https://pro-kamni.com/ukrasheniya/rodirovanie-zolota.html

Rhodium plating of gold - what is it and what is it used for, how much does the procedure of applying it to jewelry cost?

Hello, friends and random visitors. Now I intend to fully capture your attention in order to discuss with you the rhodium plating of gold - what it is, why it is used, what advantages and disadvantages jewelry processed in this way has.

What is it and what is it used for

Rhodium plating of gold (not to be confused with radiating) is the application of a thin layer of sputtering from another precious metal to a product. The substance used for this manipulation is rhodium. This is a noble precious metal of the platinum group, inert and hard. Another advantage is its high reflectivity, thanks to which it shines brightly.

This substance was discovered relatively recently - in 1803. Its content in nature is extremely low. No more than 30 tons of rhodium are mined annually around the world. The metal has a high cost, but at the same time the demand for it is growing every year, as new ways of using it appear.

Types of rhodium plating

Rhodium plating is used to achieve several purposes: the formation of a hard wear-resistant layer, the elimination of blackness in silver jewelry that occurs during the oxidation of silver, giving the product shine, and decorating inserts made of precious stones.

Standard

With standard rhodium plating, jewelry acquires a silver color with a cool, bright shine. Due to its hardness, rhodium perfectly protects soft precious metals from minor damage and scratches, preventing wear. The product remains attractive for a long time and looks new.

Black

Black rhodium plating, while maintaining its protective benefits, can give the decoration the noble blackness of an expensive antique item. The coating can range from pale gray to jet black. Such items inlaid with black pearls or black stones look amazing.

The effect is achieved by changing the chemical composition used in the rhodium plating of gold, as a result of which a layer of black rhodium oxide is formed on the surface of the product.

Rhodium plating technology

The process is carried out by electrolysis. Thoroughly cleaned jewelry is placed in special solutions and an electric current is passed through them. With this treatment, rhodium molecules are embedded in the top layer of another metal, forming a uniform, durable coating no more than 25 micrometers thick, which is 4 times thinner than a human hair.

White gold

When rhodium plating items made of white gold and silver, a layer of rhodium is usually applied to the entire surface of the item. This is due to the color of the base alloy - when the rhodium is erased, the damage will not be too noticeable, since the item itself is similar in color to the shade of the coating.

Red and yellow gold

Despite the same process technology, objects made of non-ferrous gold alloys are not sprayed over the entire surface, since over time the non-ferrous metal will begin to bleed through the rhodium, creating a sloppy effect and disrupting the aesthetics of the item. In products made from such alloys, the beds of precious stones are coated with rhodium. Due to the high reflectivity of this substance, the stones shine especially brightly.

Properties of rhodium-plated gold

Regardless of the color and grade, gold plated with rhodium acquires a silver-steel color and a bright shine. Due to the hardness of the protective layer, you can wear such things for much longer. At the same time, inertness to some oxidizing agents increases.

People who are allergic to gold can easily wear such jewelry.

What color is rhodium?

Pure metal is silvery white. Rhodium in typical compounds has a predominantly deep red color. Rhodium triamine trichloride is bright yellow, while rhodium oxide has all shades of gray up to completely black.

Cost of the procedure

Much depends on the method the jeweler uses for manipulation. Rhodium plating is offered in almost all jewelry workshops, and the indicated prices and the formation of the cost itself vary greatly: in some shops the weight of the product is taken as a basis, in others - the coverage area.

On average, a ring or chain can be plated with rhodium for about 300 rubles. However, prices for updating or restoring such coverage are usually 3-4 times higher than the initial procedure.

Pros and cons of rhodium plating

The obvious advantage is strengthening the surface layer of the metal, increasing service life due to increased resistance to scratches and damage. Many people find such jewelry more beautiful and sophisticated than jewelry made from conventional metals.

If you have a rhodium-plated piece of jewelry in front of you, then it is impossible to visually determine what gold or even what metal it is made of. I am inclined to classify this feature as a disadvantage.

Another negative side is that such coverage does not last forever. It wears off and may be damaged or scratched. If the procedure is performed poorly, the rhodium layer peels off from the surface of the product. And even a perfectly performed rhodium plating will require periodic repeat procedures, for which you will have to pay each time.

How long does the coating last?

Depending on the product and the intensity of its use, the service life of such a coating will vary:

• earrings and brooches – from 5 to 10 years;
• rings – 1-3 years;
• chains and pendants – up to a year.

How to care for rhodium-plated gold

Such jewelry does not require exceptional care. In order for the coating to last for a long time, it is enough to remove the jewelry before visiting the shower or swimming pool, or performing household work related to water.

Do not use cleaning products on rhodium-plated jewelry. In jewelry stores, you can purchase special wipes soaked in cleaning and polishing agent for these purposes.

Contact a specialist in a timely manner to renew the coating so that your jewelry looks elegant and fresh.

Also watch the video on the topic below:

Reviews

Maria: My husband gave me rhodium-plated earrings. I love them very much and wear them almost constantly. I am allergic to gold jewelry, but such jewelry does not cause any negative effects. True, it's time to update the spraying.

Svetlana: I bought myself a ring made of white rhodium-plated gold, but, unfortunately, not everyone is familiar with this method of processing products. Many people mistake this thing for jewelry, which I personally don’t like very much.

Olga: I received such a thing as a gift, but I wear it reluctantly. Although the metal is gold and really has a bright shine, its shine seems dead to me.

Conclusion

Recently, rhodium plating of jewelry has become increasingly fashionable and gaining popularity. Men especially appreciate such jewelry for its ease of care and excellent appearance. I myself would gladly buy a similar thing for myself.

On this positive note, I bid you farewell. Don’t forget to subscribe to get acquainted with all the new materials on our site in a timely manner, repost the articles you like and leave your comments - I will be pleased.

Source: https://zhazhdazolota.ru/interesnoe/chto-takoe-rodirovanie

Rhodium plating as one of the best jewelry platings

    Rhodium plating - how many times have you heard about this metal coating? Have you ever wondered how the rhodium plating process occurs and what it is used for in general? There is an opinion that rhodium plating is the best way to combat allergies to silver and gold. Do you think this is true? Well, then keep reading to find out the truth. We will tell you not only about the reasons for use, the effect on the body, but also show how the surface of the jewelry is covered with a layer of rhodium.

      Rhodium plating is the galvanic coating of metal with a thin layer of rhodium. It is widely used in jewelry and has a number of advantages over other types of coatings. True connoisseurs of exclusive and expensive jewelry know something about it, but we have prepared information that will allow you to become even better acquainted with this jewelry coating.

Rodius, how does he introduce himself?

    Rhodium is one of the most expensive precious metals. They first learned about it in 1803, thanks to William Wollaston. This element belongs to the platinum group metals. Rhodium prices are quite high because it is quite scarce and has low mining volumes.

    Is rhodium more expensive than gold? Without a doubt.

What is rhodium plating used for and what are the properties of rhodium?

    It all depends on what kind of rhodium plating you are interested in, because there are white and black.

White rhodium is used for two reasons:

1. Aesthetic appearance . Many people, when choosing white gold, ask us to plate the jewelry with white rhodium, because they do not like the yellow tint of white gold. Therefore, for those who love white color, this coating will be an ideal choice. In addition, rhodium-plated jewelry always looks magnificent and noble.

2. Protection . One of the reasons for applying this coating is to protect jewelry from damage. After all, the rhodium metal film is quite resistant to both mechanical and chemical factors. But it is worth noting that the layer is extremely thin and its thickness is measured in micrometers. This means that the film is easy to damage and scratch even in everyday conditions. Therefore, rhodium-plated jewelry is not armored.

Use of black rhodium

    Black rhodium plating actually performs the same role as oxidation. Some jewelers apply it entirely so that the jewelry becomes completely black. But we don’t practice this.

For us, black rhodium is an excellent opportunity to highlight the relief in a piece of jewelry and add contrast.

However, the question arises: why use rhodium if it is possible to coat it with oxidation? The fact is that gold, unlike silver, cannot be oxidized. Only gold of low purity and high copper content can be oxidized.  

What is the difference between white and black rhodium?

    The first difference is the color. The second difference is the functions they perform. The third difference is the end result.

    Black rhodium never (in our practice) completely remains on the jewelry, since the goal is not to make the product black, but to emphasize the relief.

    With white rhodium plating of jewelry, the product is completely covered and remains unchanged. To achieve the best effect, the coating should be carefully polished for better shine.  

What is gold rhodium plating?

Rhodium plating of gold jewelry is the application of a thin layer of rhodium to the surface of the metal. This allows the product to acquire a special shine, improve its original quality and characteristics, which will help to be more resistant to external irritants.

The metal itself has a special light shade and metallic luster, which, at first glance, is very similar to silver. The use of rhodium-plated coating has become relevant because the material is resistant to corrosion and has high strength.

Jewelers who deal with rhodium plating gold are ready to tell you what it is in this article.

What is rhodium plating used for?

Rhodium plating of gold or other metal will mean applying a layer up to 25 microns thick to the surface of the jewelry. This helps products acquire a number of advantages that they did not have before, namely:

1. Increased strength.
2. Lack of perception to external stimuli.
3. Hypoallergenic.
4. Shine.
5. No darkening over time.
6. Original appearance.
7. Resistance to reagents.
8. Corrosion resistance.
9. Resistance to non-standard temperatures.

Why rhodium?

Rhodium is a platinum group metal. Its advantages over other types are high hardness, original light and resistance to corrosive environments. And the high cost is explained by its rarity - only about 3 tons are mined per year.

Most white gold jewelry is plated with rhodium, otherwise it would not have such a shine, since without rhodium plating, Au has a duller color. Such a coating is capable of reflecting 80% of the light that hits it, while gold in its normal state can only reflect 65%, even if it is perfectly polished.

Rhodium on gold favorably sets off the precious stones on the jewelry, so a layer of metal is often applied separately in place of any inserts.

Together, all these advantages made metal the main one for giving jewelry its original appearance and protecting it from various types of irritants. Rhodium has properties that other metals of the platinum system cannot boast of.

How does rhodium plating occur?

What is rhodium plating and how does it happen? First, a specialist must prepare the surface of the product. He carries out preliminary polishing or grinding, this is necessary in order to obtain a perfectly clean and smooth surface for adequate application of rhodium plating. This procedure is typical for those jewelry that did not undergo rhodium plating immediately after manufacture.

Then the finished product must be degreased and washed to proceed to the last stage, lowering it into a galvanic bath containing a special solution. An electric current passed through this solution promotes the release of rhodium, which in turn begins to coat the gold with a thin layer.

The solution acts as a conductor for the metal salts that will be deposited on the surface of the gold. Among themselves, experts call this process “cooking.” The liquid has a negative charge, and the molecules of the deposited elements have a positive charge. This happens so that when current passes through the liquid, the negative begins to be attracted to the positive. And as a result, this workpiece is coated with rhodium.

To perform rhodium plating on jewelry, it is worth preparing water-soluble salts of the valuable metal, but obtaining them is not so easy.

It will also require complex installation parts. Therefore, enterprising people began to produce a ready-made composition of rhodium sulfate. After this, you can simply dilute it with water and obtain the required electrolyte.

It is not for nothing that the thickness of the rhodium plating is set at 25 microns. With a greater thickness of the layer from the inside, rhodium may tend to internal pressure. In this case, microcracks or pores may form. If this happens, gold rhodium plating will be useless.

Rhodium plating of gold jewelry

Rhodium plating of gold jewelry is most common. Such statistics are tracked because the price of gold jewelry is higher than that of other metals, so the owners of these particular rings and other types of products want to preserve their elegant appearance for as long as possible.

There are several goals that people pursue when giving gold for rhodium plating, these are:

1. Covering the fastener area.
2. To highlight the color of the stones.
3. Devotion to originality in decoration.

Sometimes clients only plan to attach the stone to jewelry, it could be a ring or earrings - in this case, a layer of rhodium is also applied to the place of the future stone, which will initially show the stone in the most favorable light.

Rhodium is applied to the clasp to strengthen it, ensuring its durability and protecting it from mechanical damage. If we talk about stones, a rhodium-plated diamond, as well as cubic zirconia, topaz or emerald, will look very advantageous.

The metal is often used to produce black gold. This decoration increases its price due to its durability and spectacular appearance. Precious stones look especially beautiful against the background of such gold.

Sometimes rhodium can be crossed with titanium - this combination will give the color of the product an original pearlescent tint; They can also add a little silver to the composition.

Rhodium-plated white gold also commands a high price. But this does not reduce the huge demand for such jewelry.

Rhodium plating of red gold

Rhodium plating of red gold, what is it? The process is absolutely no different from applying a layer to white or yellow gold. The properties will also be similar, what is the difference then? In fact, red gold is not rhodium-plated as often as jewelry, when compared with other types. There are several reasons for this.

Firstly, the price of such jewelry is more likely to fall than rise, since there will always be problems with the rhodium layer being erased, after which these gaps will be visible at first glance. As you know, the price of rhodium plating is not so low, and in this case re-application will be required quite often.

To partially solve the problem, rhodium is not completely applied to the product, but is applied to places where stones are installed, and there is a minimal likelihood that the layer will be erased.

How to care for rhodium-plated gold?

Once it has become clear what rhodium plating and rhodium plating in general are, the question of caring for such jewelry becomes relevant.

To begin with, you should understand that if a product has a rhodium coating, this does not mean that it will last forever, so you need to take care of it initially and remove it as soon as there is no longer a need to wear such jewelry. After all, if the layer begins to wear off, the product will take on a very unpleasant appearance.

There is no special technology for caring for rhodium-plated gold. You just have to follow a few simple rules for storing these jewelry, these include:

• storing gold in a separate box, and not where other jewelry is kept;
• do not allow unnecessary access to reagents;
• if you plan to wash dishes, it is better to remove the rings;
• Don't forget to take off your jewelry before going to bed.

But if it was not possible to save the jewelry or simply took its toll, repeated rhodium plating can be done in almost any specialized workshop.

The service will cost from 800 to 2000 rubles, depending on the product and its complexity.

Price table for rhodium plating of jewelry made from different precious metals:

Product Gold price rub. Silver price rub. Jewelry price rub.

Earrings	From 800	From 800	From 900
Rings	From 1000	From 750	From 850
Pendants	From 700	From 600	From 900
Chains	From 1000	From 1000	From 1000

What is rhodium plating of costume jewelry? Rhodium plating: technology, pros and cons

Rhodium plating of costume jewelry is a special process during which a thin layer of rhodium is applied to the jewelry. Depending on the purpose of the rhodium coating, the planned operating conditions, as well as the types of products processed with rhodium, the thickness of the coating varies from 0.1 to 25 microns.

 Rhodium plating allows you to increase the resistance of jewelry to high temperatures, ultraviolet radiation, corrosion, and also give it special protective and decorative properties. Thanks to this, such jewelry becomes an excellent alternative to more expensive platinum jewelry.

Rhodium in jewelry

Rhodium is one of the most commonly used elements for plating jewelry. Belongs to the noble metals of the platinum group. The key advantages of this metal are its high anti-corrosion resistance and constant reflectance, thanks to which rhodium-plated jewelry retains a non-tarnishing shine.

Externally, rhodium is a silvery metal with a bluish tint. When heated, it becomes plastic and easily interacts with other metals. This allows rhodium plating of costume jewelry on almost any base; in particular, electrolytic rhodium plating is used for jewelry made of copper, silver, gold, platinum, and palladium.

Rhodium plating: jewelry processing technology

The rhodium plating process itself is quite simple, and it is based on the basic laws of physics and the competent work of a jeweler. The metal should lie on the surface of the product in an even thin layer, and this is achieved by performing several simple operations:

1. The decoration is washed, polished and degreased;
2. The product is lowered into a galvanic bath with a working solution, after which an electric current is passed through the liquid;
3. Electricity passing through the solution catalyzes the release of rhodium, which is deposited on the surface of the jewelry in a thin layer.

The thickness of the protective layer depends on the duration of the procedure and the strength of the current passing through the solution.

You can purchase similar jewelry in the Jewel-classic online store. Here you will find an extensive collection of rhodium-plated jewelry. These are incredibly beautiful, durable and affordable jewelry that will pleasantly surprise even a lady with the most refined taste.

Source: https://www.jewel-classic.ru/2018/07/chto-takoe-rodirovanie-bizhuterii/

Rhodium plating of jewelry - what is it and what is it used for

The most commonly used precious metals in jewelry are silver, gold and platinum. However, not all connoisseurs of such products know that the platinum group metals, also classified as precious, include rhodium.

This metal has a noble white tint with a metallic sheen and is very similar in appearance to silver. Rhodium is characterized by increased strength, resistance to corrosion and acids. However, it will not be possible to find jewelry made entirely from it - the price of rhodium is very high, and the metal is too difficult to process.

Yet it is widely used in the jewelry industry to increase the wear resistance of items made from other materials, as well as to give them a presentable appearance and create unusual designs.

What is rhodium plating and what is it used for?

Rhodium plating is the process of coating a piece of jewelry with a thin layer of rhodium. Typically, the spray thickness varies from 0.1 to 25 microns. As a result of this procedure, the finished decoration acquires the following advantages:

• increased strength and resistance to negative environmental influences;
• steel shine that does not disappear over time;
• original design;
• hypoallergenic.

Plating a product with rhodium is carried out as follows:

The jewelry is subjected to pre-treatment - polishing or grinding to obtain a perfectly smooth surface, allowing the application of the thinnest layer of rhodium. Most often, products are rhodium-plated immediately after manufacture without additional processing;

The product is thoroughly washed and degreased, after which it is sent to a galvanic bath filled with a special solution. Under the influence of an electric current passed through the solution, rhodium begins to be released, gradually covering the product with a thin layer. Depending on the duration of the procedure and the intensity of the current discharge, the thickness of the final coating varies.

Rhodium plating of precious metals

Increasingly, in the manufacture of jewelry, a combination of natural yellow gold with artificially created white gold, which is essentially an alloy of yellow metal with palladium or nickel, is used.

However, the color of such an alloy is far from perfect - it has a yellowish or grayish tint, which is not a standard of aesthetics. It is on such alloys that rhodium is sprayed, which gives the product a noble white shining color.

Sometimes rhodium is used to lighten yellow gold, bypassing the stage of creating the alloy.

Silver items are rhodium-plated much less frequently. The cost of rhodium, which is a platinum group element, is quite high, and silver products are usually relatively inexpensive. However, in the manufacture of elite models, rhodium plating allows you to achieve the purest color that does not fade over time.

Another way to use rhodium, beloved by jewelers, is to combine the precious metal with diamonds. When using stones in items made of yellow gold, the shimmer of light in the edges is somewhat concealed, and the jewelry loses its charm. White alloys, on the contrary, focus attention on the diamond, emphasizing its purity and transparency. A skillful combination of rhodium and cool-toned stones allows you to create a product that attracts attention with its beauty.

Disadvantages of rhodium plating

Despite the fact that plating jewelry with rhodium has many advantages, this procedure still has some disadvantages:

• Over time, the coating wears off, and the period during which it remains on the product depends on its thickness and the operating conditions of the jewelry;
• in the case of selling a rhodium-plated product, the integrity of the coating will have to be damaged in order to make an accurate assessment of the cost of the jewelry;
• high cost of rhodium-plated jewelry.

Rhodium is a noble metal with high strength and resistance to adverse environmental influences, as well as a bright shine and cool white color.

It is these characteristics that have led to its widespread use in the jewelry industry, where it is used as a material for creating sputtering on products made from various types of precious metals.

The high cost of rhodium does not allow the production of products made entirely from this metal, but its combinations with other materials become the basis for the production of jewelry of stunning beauty.

Source: http://GoldInside.ru/poleznoe/rodiy-v-yuvelirnyih-izdeliyah.html

What is rhodium plating of jewelry: process, advantages and disadvantages, price

Everyone has a piece of jewelry that they want to keep in its original form for a long time: a valuable gift, a family heirloom, etc.

Silver and white gold are especially susceptible to oxidation and blackening, which is why the term rhodium plating is often heard in jewelry stores or workshops. Let's look at this issue.

Rhodium and rhodium plating

What is rhodium plating? Rhodium is a platinum group metal. It is its most expensive representative, as it has a number of features that elevate it above the rest.

Firstly, the metal has a bright white color in the literal sense of the word; rhodium seems to shine with its whiteness.

Another feature of rhodium is that it does not react with alkalis, acids, sulfur, etc. Rhodium is not used as an independent element, however, it has become widely known in jewelry.

The metal is plated over other white precious metals, particularly silver and white gold, to protect against damage and oxidation.

Rhodium plating of jewelry is coating the jewelry itself with a thin layer of metal. The minimum coverage is 0.1 micrometers, the maximum is 25 micrometers.

Products made of white gold are mainly coated, since the metal provides reliable protection for the product, and also makes it sparkle and shimmer in the sun.

This is especially beneficial for entrepreneurs involved in the jewelry business, because rhodium-plated products look much more presentable.

Silver metal is also plated with rhodium, but this happens rarely, mostly these are some kind of collectibles or family heirlooms.

This is due to the fact that rhodium is more expensive than gold itself, so there is a significant premium on the cost of a silver product, which is often chosen because of its inexpensive cost.

Rhodium plating process

From a scientific point of view, the rhodium plating process is nothing more than a galvanic process. The container contains the liquid needed to deposit the necessary salts on the metal that needs coating.

The liquid must be negatively charged, while the product is positively charged. Next, an electric current is passed through the liquid, which sets the atom in motion. Under its pressure, the minus is attracted to the plus, and the desired product is coated with rhodium.

This process requires salts that dissolve the precious metal in water, but to facilitate the work during rhodium plating, ready-made material has long been produced: a concentrated solution of rhodium sulfate.

The solution must be mixed in the required proportion with water and the galvanic process can begin.

Previously reported on the performance of rhodium plating, this is important information to ensure that the jewelry lasts as long as possible. If you increase the value to more than 25 micrometers, then rhodium can play a cruel joke, and the coated product will become covered with microcracks.

Advantages of rhodium coating

Rhodium-plated products have several significant advantages, some of which have already been mentioned earlier:

1. Attractive view. A product plated with rhodium has a bright shine, which adds luxury and high cost.
2. Protection from damage.
3. Extending the original appearance of a piece of jewelry.
4. Protection against allergic reactions: Some people tend to suffer from allergies when the skin comes into contact with precious alloys, however, rhodium performs a protective function in this case.

Disadvantages of rhodium coating

If there are advantages, then there are always disadvantages; rhodium coating also has them:

1. Fragility: This is a natural aspect, as sooner or later the rhodium will wear off from the jewelry. This process begins after five years of wearing the jewelry. The durability of the rhodium-plated coating depends on the indicator, as well as the frequency of wearing the jewelry;
2. Increased cost. A rhodium plated product is more expensive because a platinum group metal was used and additional work was done to process the product.

Cost of rhodium plating

Most jewelry workshops have included rhodium plating in their services.

In general, services throughout the country range from 800 to 2000 rubles. This is primarily due to the coverage area, so a pendant can cost much less than earrings.

Also, the price depends on the volume of coating; the thicker the rhodium layer, the more expensive the fee charged for the work performed.

Rhodium plating of silver is also possible in many workshops, the price for this service is negotiable, the master individually calculates the cost, and bargaining is also possible.

Rhodium plating of jewelry is an excellent solution for extending the presentable appearance of your jewelry. They will shimmer in the sun, play beautifully with light, and also retain their original appearance for many years.

If you have been thinking about purchasing jewelry for yourself or as a gift, then you should think about purchasing one with rhodium plating.

Source: http://VseoZolote.ru/yuvelirnye-ukrasheniya/rodirovanie-yuvelirnyh-izdelij.html

Pros and cons of rhodium plating gold jewelry - Shine Gem

Hello, friends and random visitors. Now I intend to fully capture your attention in order to discuss with you the rhodium plating of gold - what it is, why it is used, what advantages and disadvantages jewelry processed in this way has.

Rhodium plating of gold, stages of the procedure and its advantages

Rhodium plating of gold jewelry is primarily performed to protect it from mechanical stress. In addition, not only the shine of the products themselves increases, but also of the stones with which they are inlaid. What is rhodium? It is a silver-colored precious metal of the platinum group. Its hardness is 6 points, which is three times more than that of silver and gold.

Despite the high strength of rhodium, it is not used as a base raw material for making jewelry. This is due to its high cost and complex processing. However, for the surface layer on jewelry, metal is used quite often.

Rhodium color

The color range of rhodium is very diverse. This allows you to give your jewelry yellow, pink, silver and even black tints. Most often, white rhodium plating is used, which favorably sets off precious and semi-precious stones in jewelry.

For dark stones, black rhodium plating is suitable. The harmony of metal and mineral looks great in evening jewelry, giving it mystery and sophistication.

What is gold rhodium plating

Rhodium plating of gold products involves covering them with a protective layer of rhodium of no more than 25 micrometers. They do this to improve their qualities and extend their wearing period. This will not affect the color of the products in any way, and possible scratches on the surface will be less noticeable.

The procedure for rhodium plating jewelry is not cheap. It is most often used to add strength and shine to white gold. Metal can be called such only conditionally, because it is still yellow gold, but with the addition of silver, platinum or nickel. A tint of yellowness is present and to remove it, the products are subject to rhodium plating. After the procedure, their color improves, a beautiful shine appears and their protective qualities increase.

The rhodium plating process is carried out in several stages.

1. Products are polished to make their surface smooth and even.
2. Degrease with an alkaline solution.
3. Wash alternately in hot and cold water.
4. Soak for 30-40 s in a solution of sulfuric acid. This allows you to increase the adhesion of the rhodium-plated layer to the surface of the jewelry.
5. After water procedures in acid, the products are placed in a galvanic bath in a solution. Electrodes are lowered into it and current is applied. This leads to the release of rhodium, which gradually settles on the surface of the jewelry.

The final color of the jewelry depends on the saline solution.

Rhodium plating in different shades of gold

Rhodium is produced not only in white, but also in red and yellow gold. In this way, the surface of the metal can be protected in those places where it is subject to the greatest abrasion. These can be various decorative elements and fasteners. Even with prolonged use, jewelry will remain beautiful and shiny.

Black gold is produced by covering the surface with a black layer of rhodium. The process is long and labor-intensive, but the decorations are very impressive, although quite expensive.

Advantages and disadvantages of rhodium plating gold jewelry

Many people do not know what rhodium is and in most cases refuse jewelry coated with it, because... the price for them is higher than for ordinary gold items. To leave no doubt about rhodium plating, you need to highlight its main advantages:

• rhodium in combination with palladium strengthens and improves the appearance of jewelry;
• prevents allergies from nickel alloys and improves the color of products;
• prevents the occurrence of microcracks and scratches, and if they appear, they will be less noticeable;
• Increases the shine of jewelry and stones. Rhodium plating is most often used for jewelry with transparent gems.

Despite the large number of positive qualities, one cannot help but pay attention to the disadvantages of rhodium:

• After a certain period of use of jewelry, the rhodium plating may wear off;
• the high cost of metal increases the final cost of the jewelry itself;
• If you expose jewelry to high temperatures, the rhodium layer will be removed faster.

Buying rhodium-plated products is always a risk, especially if you do not do it in a certified store. Under the protective layer it is not visible what metal the jewelry is made of. In order to understand that the seller is offering exactly gold, you need to violate the integrity of the coating itself, which they definitely won’t allow you to do before purchasing.

If a decision is made to check the quality, the removed top layer of rhodium will give the jewelry a very unsightly appearance, and its restoration will be quite expensive and costly.

Source: https://1nerudnyi.ru/rodirovanie-zolota-10/

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Rhodium belongs to the platinum group of metals, and, as befits the closest relative of platinum, has a silvery-light tint. And if it were not for the refractoriness of rhodium and its cost, which is three times higher than the price of platinum, it would be possible to use the properties of a unique metal in jewelry to the full extent of the talent of the craftsmen. But, alas, despite many impressive wear resistance characteristics, rhodium is unsuitable for making jewelry.

Rhodium

No processing

Rhodium plating

As a thin coating for gold, silver, and even ordinary jewelry, rhodium has no worthy competitors. But it will not be possible to make a ring, pendant or chain entirely from rhodium: the metal becomes quite fragile at a certain casting thickness.

In turn, rhodium plating of jewelry gives it a beautiful shine, increases resistance to mechanical stress, smoothes the color of yellow gold, giving it a cold, soft, noble shimmer.

In the photo: the wedding ring is rhodium-plated, the jewelry with a stone is without it.

Pros and advantages of rhodium plating

In addition to the aesthetics of jewelry and improving its appearance, rhodium plating actually creates very strong protection both from external influences and for the person wearing the product. Even if the owner of a beautiful ring, chain, bracelet, or earrings is prone to allergic reactions, rhodium plating will eliminate this annoying phenomenon. The metal is completely hypoallergenic, does not cause skin irritation, leaves no marks on it, and also does not react with acids or chlorine.

It should be noted that rhodium plating is applicable to products of any complexity. Designer jewelry, with stones, in any condition, including brooches and other valuables, older than half a century or more. The application of a protective and decorative coating can be ordered immediately after purchasing a new one and with equal success - for decoration that has suffered from time.

Disadvantages and disadvantages of rhodium plating

Not counting the cost of the service, since this definition is very relative, one can regret when thinking about the advisability of coating only in two cases: it would have been worthwhile to cover the jewelry with rhodium earlier, and it is a pity that this will not last forever.

The service life of rhodium-plated jewelry depends on the intensity of wear. If you do not plan to remove your ring (for example, a wedding ring), you can forget about possible troubles for at least 5 years. Abrasion of the rhodium layer cannot be avoided, but if the coating is done well, you won’t have to worry for quite a long time. Rhodium-plated earrings will last twice as long – from 10 years. On bracelets and chains, the coating should also be renewed approximately once every 5 years.

Let us remind you that this practice is applicable for rhodium-plated products that are planned to be worn daily. For jewelry worn for a specific occasion, the wear time of the rhodium layer is many times longer.

A not obvious, but possible drawback for new products sold with a protective and decorative coating may be the dishonesty of the seller. When buying any jewelry with rhodium, it is impossible to know for sure what kind of metal is actually under the treatment layer. In this case, we can wish you successful shopping in trusted stores. You should definitely not purchase jewelry from private individuals who are not related to the jewelry business. Be careful when choosing.

How to care for rhodium-plated jewelry

The first thing that all jewelers will recommend is to get rid of the desire to clean jewelry and jewelry using abrasive or ammonia-containing products.

Not all “grandmother’s recipes” and popular recommendations on the Internet can actually be applied to silver, different types of gold and platinum. Rhodium-plated jewelry is also no exception, and it is unlikely that the thinnest layer of metal will adequately withstand constant cleaning with a toothbrush and hydrogen peroxide.

Not worth it. Getting yourself a jewelry napkin is a great way to wipe away the effects of a long, busy day on your ring or chain.

It is worth remembering that products treated with rhodium are not at risk of darkening or the appearance of a blackening effect. In addition, modern chemistry is sufficiently developed to offer owners a large selection of high-quality cleaning products that do not harm metals, stones, or coatings.

Additionally, I would like to remind you that long is not forever. Of course, rhodium plating transforms any jewelry, and yes, the service life of such a coating is indeed quite long. But it’s hardly worth reducing it by testing your rings, bracelets, and chains for strength every day.

House cleaning is not a fashion show; you shouldn’t wear all your most beautiful clothes at once for this occasion.

A sauna is good for you, bad for your jewelry, and a burn for you who have forgotten to remove precious metals.

Working out in the gym, swimming and other active life definitely do not go well with jewelry; it harms both the jewelry and your reputation. There is also bad taste in jewelry fashion.

And yet, do not ignore the recommendation to take your beautiful rings, bracelets, chains, earrings to jewelers once every few years - to check the strength of the links, fasten the stones, and polish if necessary.

Source: https://zu.ru/blog/rodirovanie-yuvelirnyh-izdelij/