What is silver rhodium plating - Metals and their processing

Rhodium silver jewelry: what is it, how to choose and care

Silver jewelry has always been very popular, especially rhodium-plated silver. What is it, how to choose and how to care for rhodium-plated silver jewelry - read about it in our material.

What is rhodium plated silver?

In general, there are three main types of silver jewelry: classic (also called sterling) silver, blackened silver and rhodium-plated silver itself.

To protect silver from oxidation, it is coated with a thin layer of rhodium - this is a precious metal belonging to the platinum group. By the way, rhodium itself is of little use for jewelry: of course, it is bright and shiny, but jewelry made from it is quite fragile.

But the rhodium coating turns out to be hard and resistant to a wide variety of mechanical influences. That is why silver is coated with a thin layer of rhodium, helping the jewelry not to tarnish, blacken or lose its shine.

What does rhodium plated silver go with?

In fact, rhodium plated silver jewelry looks good with any stone. Particularly noteworthy are, for example, topaz or sapphire, amethyst or alexandrite. Silver earrings with these stones shimmer very beautifully and look incomparable.

Is it difficult to care for such jewelry?

No, it's not difficult. Rhodium plated silver, like jewelry made from any metal, requires proper care. For example, try to avoid going into a hot bath or sauna without removing your jewelry.

You should also not exercise while wearing jewelry. Although the rhodium layer is durable, active sports and intense physical activity will clearly not benefit the jewelry.

Rhodium plated silver does not like alcohol-containing liquids. Therefore, try to put on jewelry after using perfumes or lotions on dry skin. Rhodium-plated silver also does not like household chemicals - rhodium can begin to peel off from frequent and prolonged contact with chemicals. However, chemical exposure is also harmful to other metals.

Try not to use ammonia or clean jewelry mechanically (with a brush, for example). The easiest and most effective way to clean rhodium-plated silver is with warm water and a soft cloth to wipe dry. Or use special wipes for cleaning jewelry.

How to choose?

It's easy to choose. The most important thing is not to confuse rhodium-plated silver with regular silver. They are visually different. Rhodium-plated silver is practically indistinguishable from white gold. At the same time, the price of such decoration will, of course, be less. If in doubt, you can always check with your sales consultant.

Where can I buy?

In the Rossyuvelirtorg online store you can always choose and purchase your favorite silver jewelry. We offer delivery of your purchase to any point in Russia, Kazakhstan and the CIS.

Source: https://zoloto55.ru/sovety-yuvelira/vse-ob-ukrasheniyah-iz-rodirovannogo-serebra

Rhodium plating of silver: plating technology – Natural Treasures

Jewelry made from precious metals, including silver jewelry, is subject to numerous mechanical damages during daily use, because silver by its nature is a fairly soft metal. Silver rings and chains are especially susceptible to this threat.

As a result, your favorite piece of jewelry can quickly lose its presentable appearance and forever migrate to a dark jewelry box. But when we buy a piece of jewelry that we like, we don’t want to quickly part with it because of minor damage and scuffs.

To solve this common problem, jewelers use a special treatment procedure using rhodium plating on the silver.

Solution

Plating rhodium plating on silver jewelry is a fairly common way to prevent premature wear. This procedure is often used by jewelers around the world not only to increase the wear resistance of jewelry, but also to give the product a platinum shine and a noble appearance.

The procedure itself is nothing more than sputtering a thin (0.1-25 microns thick) layer of rhodium onto the silver product itself. The cost of this process is already included in the final purchase price. Rhodium is a rare metal whose price is much higher than that of platinum.

It has a higher level of resistance to corrosion and mechanical wear than other precious metals. Rhodium belongs to the group of noble metals due to its spectacular appearance and high chemical resistance.

It retains a cold shine for a long time, which cannot be said about silver, and due to its high hardness it wears out much more slowly. Rhodium is a very hard gray metal with a noble silvery tint, which also has a very high level of reflectivity.

It is precisely because of these qualities that this metal has not escaped the attention of jewelry manufacturers.

Rhodium plating on silver gives jewelry additional strength and shine, and also greatly prolongs its beauty.

Main pros and cons of the procedure

The main advantage of rhodium plating silver items is the improvement of the presentation of such jewelry. Attractive platinum shine very well emphasizes the beauty of the shine of cubic zirconia and other stones.

This procedure is also widely used for protective purposes, because rhodium is much harder than other precious metals, and therefore minor scratches and abrasions are not visible on it, and with daily use it suffers less damage.

This metal never tarnishes or changes color, which is especially important for silver jewelry.

But with all its advantages, rhodium plating also has several disadvantages. The cost of this metal is ten times the price of gold, but jewelry is not made from it because it is a very fragile material. It is this characteristic that is its main disadvantage, because when soldering or other repairs, the rhodium plating can crack and even fall off in pieces.

A very unpleasant fact that must be taken into account when sending the product to the workshop. Another disadvantage is that the rhodium layer is very thin, and therefore can simply wear off with frequent use.

Therefore, such jewelry may require repeated rhodium plating procedures, and this is an additional material expense that will have to be added to the original price for the silver item.

The lifespan of rhodium-plated jewelry varies; it all depends on several objective factors, the main one of which is the intensity of use. Thus, the service life of rhodium-plated earrings is much longer than that of rings and chains.

Rhodium plating is a technology that can extend the life of your favorite silver jewelry. Its use is already included in the price of the product. But time and frequent use can negatively affect the thickness of the plating layer of a silver object.

Therefore, when buying jewelry using rhodium plating technology, it is worth keeping in mind that it may be necessary to add the cost of a repeated rhodium plating procedure to the price of the product.

But if silver jewelry suits you and you really like it, what can you do for beauty.

Source: https://22av.ru/drugoe/rodirovanie-serebra-tehnologiya-pokrytiya.html

Rhodium Protective Plating for Silver Jewelry

To solve this common problem, jewelers use a special treatment procedure using rhodium plating on the silver.

Rhodium-plated silver: what is it, advantages, disadvantages, care

The design of silver jewelry is often in no way inferior to similar products made of gold, platinum and other precious metals. But the cost of silver items is much cheaper. But even such a metal has one significant drawback - the property of darkening from prolonged contact with human skin.

Rhodium plated silver solves this problem. The beauty of the jewelry does not change.

Silver rhodium plating

This service is offered by almost every workshop that repairs and cleans jewelry. The procedure itself is simple and does not take a lot of time.

Using electrochemical deposition (electroplating method), rhodium coats a silver product with a thin layer. Electric charges contribute to the uniform distribution of the protective layer over the surface of the jewelry.

Despite the apparent simplicity of the process and if you have the necessary equipment, it can be done at home. However, without the proper experience, it is better to abandon such an undertaking. Otherwise, there is a risk of damaging both the outer and inner surfaces of the decoration.

Rhodium plating has the following advantages:

Protecting the product from external factors - sudden temperature changes, excessive humidity or dry air;
Increasing the resistance of silver to damage and scratches;
Strengthening the strength of silver objects;
Giving the product additional shine;
Creating resistance to external pollution.

It is better to entrust rhodium plating to experienced jewelers, since without the proper skills, even a master can ruin a piece of jewelry. You should carry out the procedure immediately after purchasing the product. In this case, the cost of the service will be less, and the rhodium layer will be applied more smoothly.

However, in addition to its positive qualities, rhodium-plated silver also has some disadvantages:

Rhodium plating of silver metal will cost more than gold, since the properties of silver are less suitable for this process;
Rhodium “removes” the natural properties of pure silver. Therefore, many prefer to see the metal in its noble shade;
If a piece of jewelry coated with rhodium-plated silver is broken or damaged, the product will have to be restored again. First, the master will remove the top layer and then apply rhodium to the surface.

Among other things, it will not be easy to determine the identity of the metal from which the product is made after rhodium plating. It looks very similar to both silver and platinum.

Caring for rhodium plated silver items

Rhodium plating, despite its high protective properties, also becomes dirty over time and requires proper care in the form of regular cleaning, although much less often than conventional silver alloys. The requirements for wearing such jewelry are also identical:

Do not wear the product during excessive physical activity;
Do not wear a rhodium-plated product in a swimming pool, bathhouse, or sauna;
After applying care products, wait until they are completely absorbed before hanging the chain or bracelet;
Store jewelry in a separate dry case;
Clean products as they become dirty, and do not be lazy to carry out preventive maintenance from time to time;
It is not recommended to use abrasive products for cleaning - tooth powder, baking soda, as they scratch the coating;
The ideal solution for washing such products is warm water with the addition of a small amount of laundry soap or dishwashing detergent.

Over time, the rhodium plating begins to wear off. But it can be replaced in a jewelry workshop. The master will remove the old layer and apply a new one, which will again make the product smooth and shiny.

Rhodium plating technology was invented to extend the life of silver jewelry. Therefore, when purchasing, you need to take into account that the cost of applying rhodium is already included in the final price of the product. Sometimes it is more profitable to purchase ordinary silver and take it separately to a workshop to apply a layer of rhodium.

Source: http://VseoZolote.ru/precious-metals/rodirovannoe-serebro.html

Rhodium plated silver: getting plating at home

07.11.2018

Rhodium-plated silver is a precious metal that has a thin surface layer of rhodium. It is widely used in the manufacture of various jewelry. The material has a number of advantages that make it one of the most popular in the world. This coating can be applied to a silver product not only in specially equipped workshops, but also at home.

General information about rhodium plating

Before upgrading jewelry (chain, pendant, cross and others), you need to decide what rhodium-plated silver means and what advantages it has. This will help you learn more about the process itself and its correct implementation at home.

Purpose of the process

Rhodium is a precious metal that is part of the same group of chemical elements as platinum, ruthenium, palladium, and iridium. It is valued by jewelers for its durability and attractive appearance. Its value significantly exceeds the price of not only silver, but also gold. Because of this feature, it is rarely used in its pure form for making jewelry. In most cases, rhodium plating is applied to the silver. It gives the jewelry more shine and protects it from any damage.

The thickness of the sprayed coating is approximately equal to that used in blackened silver and never exceeds 25 micrometers, which is half the width of a human hair.

Rhodium plating of silver items is carried out only upon the buyer's order. Applying a thin layer of coating serves the following purposes:

obtaining a protective layer that prevents the process of metal corrosion;
preventing rapid darkening of silver jewelry;
improved attractiveness due to increased shine;
avoiding allergic reactions that occur when silver comes into contact with the surface of the skin;
creation of custom design;
increasing resistance to physical or mechanical impacts on jewelry;
reducing the negative impact of the environment on silver.

Main advantages and disadvantages

Rhodium-plated silver has many advantages over pure material. Thanks to this, jewelry becomes of higher quality and will delight owners with its appearance for a long time.

, several main ones should be highlighted

Safety for humans. Rhodium does not have a negative effect on people and does not emit any toxic substances. In addition, it is harmless to children and pets.
Durability. Silver jewelry with rhodium plating will last much longer than without it. At the same time, it will retain its properties for the entire period of operation.
Inertia. Silver coated with rhodium practically does not come into chemical contact with alkalis, acids and other aggressive compounds.
Beauty. Rhodium plating has an attractive silver color, making it suitable for creating fine jewelry.

Rhodium plating has not only advantages, but also disadvantages, which is why it is rarely used when creating exclusive and very expensive jewelry.

The negative aspects include the following:

Gradual erasing of a thin layer. If a silver item is worn frequently, its owner will have to periodically renew the rhodium plating. The frequency of this procedure will depend on the thickness of the surface layer.
Expensive. Rhodium is very expensive, so even the thinnest coating of this precious metal can only be afforded by a wealthy person.
The need to destroy the integrity of the rhodium plating. To establish the exact cost of the jewelry, a special examination will be required, which involves scraping off grains of rhodium.

Procedure

In most cases, rhodium plated items are made from 925 silver or 750 gold. These two types of precious metals are considered the most popular and accessible to people of different statuses. In order to determine what rhodium-plated 925 silver is, it is necessary to consider the procedure for obtaining it. The whole process is quite simple not only for experienced jewelers, but also for beginners.

To spray expensive metal onto silver jewelry at home, you only need basic knowledge of chemistry.

The rhodium plating process includes several mandatory steps:

The jewelry is carefully polished using a special device.
Then it is polished several times. The purpose of this preparatory stage is to give the surface of the decoration maximum smoothness and evenness.
After this, the metal is repeatedly washed with chemicals that allow the top layer to be degreased.
The next step is to place the silver product in a galvanic bath.
The container is filled with a special solution (containing rhodium), which can be easily found and purchased at a relatively low price. In this case, the liquid should completely cover the decoration.
Electric current is supplied to the bath. Its effect provokes the release of negatively charged rhodium from the solution. Due to the difference in charges, it is attracted to the jewelry and evenly covers its surface.
The process continues until the required coating thickness is achieved.

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Difference from other metals

Rhodium plated silver is quite difficult to distinguish from other metals. The greatest external similarity of this material is observed with platinum and white gold. In order to accurately determine the type of coating, it is necessary to take into account the main characteristics. Among them the following stand out:

Any other metal will be significantly inferior to rhodium-plated silver in terms of shine. If you need to determine the material of an unprocessed product, then you should look for the desired one by the gray or light black tint of the surface.
To find differences from white gold, a visual inspection of the jewelry should be carried out. It will help determine the metal sample and the shape of the marks, which differ for each material.
Rhodium-plated silver differs from platinum in the same ways as white gold.

If the buyer of jewelry is not a professional, then the work of determining the type of material should be entrusted to a highly qualified specialist. Based on experience, he will carry out the necessary manipulations and make his verdict. This option, although expensive, allows you to reduce the likelihood of error to a minimum.

To determine which rhodium plated silver is best, you need to understand the properties and characteristics of each. This is also a rather difficult task that only professionals can handle.

Ways to care for jewelry

The purchased silver product has an attractive appearance, which requires proper care for the jewelry to preserve for many years. There are a large number of nuances in this matter, knowing which you can maintain the original appearance of the product for a long time.

Features of caring for rhodium-plated silver:

If silver with a layer of rhodium begins to darken, then a mild detergent should be used to clean it. It is prohibited to use substances based on acids and alkalis, as their impact can gradually destroy the rhodium layer.
To clean the surface layer of jewelry, it is recommended to use regular powder that does not contain abrasive elements. Otherwise, scratches will appear at the contact site, which will ruin the appearance of the product.
It is prohibited to care for silver using products designed to remove plaque from pure precious metal. It is best to use special substances that can be purchased at any jewelry store.
Rhodium plating is negatively affected by human sweat. Due to contact with it, the surface layer quickly loses its shine and begins to collapse. Therefore, before jogging or any physical activity, you should remove such jewelry.
Contact with water in swimming pools is contraindicated for rhodium. In addition, it is prohibited to wear such jewelry in saunas and baths.
Washing dishes with special chemicals can mean quickly removing the rhodium layer from the surface of the silver. Therefore, it is better to remove jewelry while doing homework.
Before wearing rhodium-plated silver jewelry, you should wait until the eau de toilette or perfume is absorbed into the skin.
It is forbidden to store a rhodium-plated product in a cardboard package, as it will quickly oxidize and lose its attractiveness. The best option would be to use a separate wooden box where the jewelry can be kept for a long time. For long-term storage, items should be wrapped in felt.
Two pieces of jewelry will quickly scratch each other if they are placed on adjacent fingers or worn on the same wrist.
In order for a piece of jewelry to retain its original appearance for a long time, it is necessary to treat it with care and also protect it from physical and mechanical stress.

In addition to the standard rules for caring for rhodium-plated jewelry, there are several folk methods. All of them are quite simple and do not require large financial expenditures.

Folk and professional methods for cleaning rhodium-plated silver products:

The easiest way to clean is to rinse under running warm tap water. After exposure to liquid, the product is immediately thoroughly wiped with a soft cloth and then polished with napkins that are specially designed for jewelry.
Another effective maintenance method is to wipe the product with soapy water. To prepare it, finely chopped soap is dissolved in warm water. Then take a cotton swab, dip it in the liquid and clean the jewelry. For wiping, use ordinary napkins. In case of severe contamination, the product is placed in a soap solution for several minutes, and then all standard procedures are carried out.
Glycerin copes well with stains. It is applied to the surface of the jewelry using a cotton swab and removed with a soft cloth.
At home, you can carry out a simple procedure using the galvanic cleaning method. Before starting, you should carefully remove the old layer of rhodium without damaging the jewelry.

Types of products

You can create real jewelry masterpieces from rhodium-plated silver. This material is equally suitable for both men and women. The most popular jewelry coated with rhodium are:

rings;
earrings;
chains;
pendants;
bracelets.

All of the listed products can be complemented with some kind of precious stone. Although this will significantly increase the cost, it will make the decoration more original and attractive. Most often used:

turquoise;
amethyst;
ruby;
pomegranate;
amber;
cubic zirconia

Rhodium-plated silver is a high-quality material that is ideal for making jewelry. Finished products are distinguished by their brilliance and beauty. To preserve them for several years, it is necessary to ensure proper storage and proper care.

Rhodium plated silver: getting plating at home Link to main publication

Source: https://VseoMetallah.ru/uvelir-isdelia/rodirovannoe-serebro-doma

Why is white gold and silver rhodium plated?

Centaurus journal

Just a couple of weeks ago we told you about such a coating for jewelry as gilding. Anyone who missed it, forgot, or just wants to refresh their memory, please read “Gold Plating.” But today we want to introduce you to a slightly different coating for gold and silver products - rhodium plating.

Today you will find out

What is rhodium? Interesting facts and a moment of history.
Why is jewelry rhodium plated?
How long does rhodium plating last on gold and silver?
What methods of applying rhodium are there?
Why rhodium plated white gold?
What happens if a silver ring is not plated with rhodium?
Is it possible to rhodium plate silverware?
How to care for coated jewelry.

Rhodium is the most expensive and one of the rarest metals used in the jewelry world.

The price of 1 gram of rhodium is $225, while its neighbor platinum costs only $70 per gram.

It was discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston; in the periodic table we can find (Rh) at number 45. The name comes from the Greek word ροδον, translated meaning “Rose”.

But where is the connection between gray metal and a beautiful flower? Here’s the thing: Professor William discovered a bright pink powder in a nugget of platinum, which after processing turned into a silver-white metal that looked like aluminum. This was rhodium.

The world's rhodium reserves amount to only a few tens of tons, but the demand for this noble metal is very high. Due to the difficulty of working with rhodium, as well as its price, it is used only as a coating for silver and gold items.

Rhodium plating of jewelry is the application of a thin (0.1-0.25 micron) layer of rhodium to jewelry, which imparts a special shine and shade, and also improves protection from mechanical and chemical damage.

Resistant to chemical damage, e.g. reaction with detergent, sweat.
They do not fade or oxidize. Therefore, we recommend that silver items be immediately coated with rhodium.
With careful care you can wear it for up to 3-5 years.
Increases resistance to scratches and other mechanical damage.
They have a special noble shine and shade.
Resistant to high temperatures.
There are NO visible minor scratches on them.

Reader question: How long does rhodium plating last on gold and silver? How much does it cost to rhodium plate a ring or chain?

Answer YM: Depending on the type of product (bracelet, chain, ring or earrings), the price for coating with a protective and decorative layer of rhodium is from 13 hryvnia per 1 year of the product.

How long the coating will remain in its original form depends on how you wear it. If this is a chain, and you have it on you 24/7, then you can expect that after two years you will need to restore the protective layer. But in the case when rhodium-plated jewelry is not worn every day and is properly cared for, the coating can last from 3 to 5 years.

Since your product has a very thin layer of rhodium (thinner than your hair), using abrasives or hard cloths can significantly damage it.

Important! How to care for coated jewelry?

Remove jewelry before going to bed, going to the sauna or swimming pool.
Clean only with a soft cloth, you can rinse under warm running water.
Apply only to a dry body, waiting until the cream or perfume is absorbed.
You need to store it in a special bag, separate from other jewelry.

There are only two methods of applying rhodium to precious jewelry - galvanic method and application with a pencil.

A rhodium pencil is a method of applying a layer of precious metal using an inexpensive device. This coating is inferior in quality to galvanic rhodium plating. Rhodium pencil can be seen in small jewelry workshops.

Jewelry coated with a rhodium pen can become scratched again in a short period of time or lose its protective layer.

The electroplating method of applying a thin layer of rhodium requires very expensive equipment. This method ensures a high quality protective layer.

By the way, we already mentioned electroplating in the article on gilding. So in rhodium plating, first the jewelry can be cleaned with ultrasound, degreased and washed, and then immersed in a galvanic bath, where, under the influence of current (a little physics), the jewelry is evenly coated with the thinnest layer of rhodium.

Do you love white gold jewelry? Have you read about this season’s trend – white wedding rings?

And now the most important question - did you know that white gold has a specific yellow tint , and the higher the standard, the greater the ratio of pure Aurum to alloys and the yellower the metal? It is rhodium plating that gives white gold jewelry a special noble white hue and incredible shine. Moreover, the places where precious inserts are set are covered with a thin layer of rhodium to emphasize the shine and play of stones.

Rhodium plating is also used in red gold jewelry. Because rhodium is silver in color, a thin layer of it on red gold gives a distinct hue to certain elements. In such a product there is no need to use gold soldering of several colors, and rhodium plating will help to enhance the design.

Black gold is new in the jewelry world. A stylish solution for incredible black diamond jewelry. The dark color enhances the beauty of the gemstones. Black gold can be obtained through an alloy with cobalt and chromium, or special rhodium plating.

Reader question: What happens if a silver ring is not plated with rhodium?

We answer: Silver has poor chemical resistance, it can oxidize, corrode, tarnish and darken. That is, a silver ring needs to be constantly cleaned so that it does not lose its original appearance. Rhodium plating will cover the jewelry with a thin protective layer and add incredible shine. After such a procedure, the unprofessional eye can confuse silver with white gold or platinum.

Well, to finish, just a few words about silverware. Many people are afraid that rhodium plating can be harmful. Alas, not everyone studied well at school and thought about love in chemistry lessons =) There is no need to confuse Radium or Rhodium. The first is a harmful radioactive element, but Rhodium is a noble, HARMFUL metal.

Rhodium plating of silverware is the right solution for preserving cutlery in its original form. The only thing is that you need to wash them carefully without abrasives (soda).

Source: https://centaurus.com.ua/journal/chto-takoe-rodiy/

Blog

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.

Rhodium plating process

The thinnest rhodium coating is literally an invisible layer. A film is applied to gold, silver and other alloys, the thickness of which is a minimum of 0.001 and a maximum of 0.025 mm. But even one thousandth of a millimeter of rhodium on top of any metal (or one micrometer, micrometer) can strengthen the surface of the jewelry, improve its reflectivity, and increase resistance to mechanical stress.

One micrometer is truly an extremely small value; for comparison, the thickness of a human hair is approximately 50-75 microns.

Electroplating allows you to apply such a microscopic layer to the surface of a piece of jewelry: a process in which the same thin layer of rhodium is deposited on the piece of jewelry. Indispensable assistants in this case are the necessary electrolytes, the correct temperature and current density. In other words, rhodium plating cannot be performed without special, sophisticated equipment.

More often this process is applied to gold and platinum products. This is due, firstly, to the cost of the jewelry itself, and as a consequence, to the desire to maintain its presentability for a long time.

Silver jewelry is not that expensive to begin with, so rhodium plating is less common for it solely due to the cost of processing. In fact, the cost of a silver product and rhodium plating will cost the owner approximately the same amount.

This is hardly beneficial, although it is worth paying tribute to the rhodium plating, it looks very beautiful.

Rhodium-plated gold

Silver

White gold

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.

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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/

Does silver need to be rhodium plated?

Silver products are beautiful, durable and affordable. But there is a significant drawback - over time they oxidize and darken. One way to prevent this process is to rhodium plating silver. Products become not only more resistant to external influences, but also more attractive in appearance.

Use of silver

This metal in its pure form is used only as a decorative coating for products made of base metals. In the manufacture of jewelry, as well as interior items or tableware, silver alloys are used. For jewelry, silver is combined with enamel, precious, semi-precious and semi-precious stones, ivory, coral and pearls. Thanks to its affordability and beauty, silver products and jewelry have recently become increasingly popular.

To improve the properties of silver, give it greater hardness or obtain a certain color, alloys of silver with other metals are made. More often than others - with copper. So, if silver jewelry is marked 925, this means that an alloy of silver with another metal, in which the share of pure silver is 92.5%, was used to make it.

Why does silver darken?

During use, silver products inevitably oxidize, resulting in a film of sulfides forming on the surface, which gives it a dark, even black color. Since the main material for manufacturing is an alloy of silver and copper, oxidation produces silver sulfides or copper sulfides.

There are many reasons why silver items begin to darken. It can be:

product sample (base metal content);
chemical composition and humidity of the surrounding air;
increased content of hydrogen sulfide in the air and soil;
use of new cosmetics and medicines by the owner of the jewelry;
increased sweating, health problems.

What can be done?

Due to this property, silver products require additional care - special processing, cleaning or polishing.

Caring for silver items and jewelry is not difficult and does not take much time. You can use old, proven home methods or buy special products in the store.

There are industrial methods to prevent oxidation of silver items. These include electroplating with pure silver, rhodium plating and the so-called “white boiling”. Rhodium plating is used more often than others.

Advantages and disadvantages of rhodium treatment

In terms of its qualities, it is a very durable, hard metal, resistant to external physical, mechanical and chemical influences.

In addition, the rhodium-plated surface does not tarnish or blacken with use, regardless of the fineness of the silver. Rhodium plating gives silver items a bright, shiny appearance reminiscent of white gold.

Despite the obvious advantages, rhodium-plated products have some disadvantages:

the first of them is high cost; due to the coating of expensive metal, their price increases significantly;
secondly, connoisseurs of silver products believe that rhodium plating deprives jewelry of their natural color and shine, so they prefer jewelry without rhodium plating;
thirdly, if the product breaks, during repair, soldering, the top layer of metal is broken; Therefore, repeated irradiation of the surface of the jewelry is required, which significantly increases its cost.

Rhodium plating of silver is a technologically complex method that is best performed on industrial equipment. You should not trust this expensive process to handicraftsmen.

Product care

Despite their greater resistance to environmental influences, rhodium-plated silver products also require care:

If possible, you should remove jewelry at night, as well as while playing sports, visiting a bathhouse, swimming pool or sauna;
Products should be put on after perfumes and lotions have been applied to the skin and the alcohol they contain has evaporated;
try to avoid contact of jewelry with household chemicals;
do not use abrasive or chemically active substances for cleaning products; The best way to care is to rinse with warm water, wipe dry and polish the surface with a special cloth.

Whether to buy jewelry made of rhodium-plated silver or not, whether it is worth covering previously purchased products with radium is a matter of taste, everyone decides for themselves.

It is worth considering that it is better to coat silver items purchased without such a coating with radium immediately, while the surface is well polished. Their rhodium plating requires a smaller amount of expensive metal. Accordingly, the cost will be lower than when processing a used product.

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

Characteristics, pros and cons of rhodium plated silver

Silver is a unique metal whose properties allow it to be used not only in the jewelry industry, but also in the manufacture of parts for technical devices, as well as in medicine. Silver is characterized by softness and ductility, which makes the metal susceptible to deformation, which is why it is not used in its pure form.

To enhance the strength of the metal, copper is added to it. But even this does not protect silver from deformation, since the jewelry industry uses alloys in which the proportion of silver exceeds 90%. Therefore, to protect silver from the effects of negative factors, it is coated with a layer of rhodium.

In the relevant literature and on electronic resources you can find such phrases as “radiated silver” and “rhodium-plated silver”.

Many people think that they are the same thing, but in fact they are not.

Rhodium plated silver

Rhodium plated silver is coated with a layer of rhodium, a rare metal belonging to the platinum group. Rhodium is several times more expensive than gold, so it is not used in jewelry production. At the same time, this metal is considered incredibly hard, which makes it suitable for making protective layers that cover jewelry. This procedure is called rhodium plating.

A layer of rhodium is applied not only to silver jewelry, but also to those made of 750-carat white gold. Rhodium plating not only protects jewelry from damage, but also gives it an exquisite shine. In addition, silver items with such a coating are visually impossible to distinguish from platinum, the most expensive metal used in the jewelry industry. For rhodium plating, the galvanic method is used, and the procedure itself takes a few minutes.

Silver ring with rhodium-plated stone

Rhodium coating has a significant drawback: it wears off over time, especially for areas of jewelry that are constantly in contact with the skin. Rhodium plating also wears off at the points where the links are fastened.

But this is not a reason to refuse exquisite jewelry, because the coating can be restored. To do this, just contact a master jeweler. Rhodium plating cannot be called a cheap service, since such coating consists of an expensive precious metal.

For example, rhodium plating on a medium-thick ring will cost the client approximately $15.

Every owner of rhodium-plated jewelry should know that such silver requires special care and respect.

The rhodium layer can be destroyed under the influence of aggressive detergents - washing powder, dishwashing gel, etc. Therefore, during hand washing and dishwashing, rings and bracelets must be removed. Sprayed jewelry can also deteriorate when exposed to alcohol, so do not allow it to come into contact with alcohol-containing toners, lotions, etc.
Rhodium-plated products should not be treated with abrasive powders to clean surfaces, as solid particles will damage the coating.
Special chemical cleaners designed for caring for silver are not suitable for caring for items with a rhodium layer. You can clean silver with such substances, but only if it does not have any coating.
Rhodium plating deteriorates when exposed to sweat, so jewelry with this plating should be removed before going to the gym. The same rule applies to going to the pool, since water containing chlorine can cause the destruction of the rhodium layer.
How to clean silver with rhodium? In fact, the list of products that help clean such jewelry is limited. For example, you can prepare soapy water and thoroughly rinse jewelry that needs cleaning with it. After this, rinse the items with clean water and wipe gently with a soft cloth. The same technique is suitable for cleaning jewelry with precious stones.
Rhodium-plated jewelry should be stored correctly. A jewelry box is suitable for this purpose, but in no case a box made of cardboard. The thing is that cardboard may contain sulfur, and this substance provokes the oxidation of silver and the loss of its attractive appearance. If the product is not worn for a long time, it is recommended to store it in a piece of flannel.

The difference between pure silver and rhodium plated silver

Jewelry coated with a layer of rhodium, in addition to its advantages, also has disadvantages. For example, if a silver chain coated with such metal suddenly breaks, then after repairing it, the rhodium layer must be renewed, which will increase repair costs several times.

What is radium?

In many sources of information you can find such a phrase as “radiated silver”. Rhodium-plated metal is mistakenly called this, but such an error can be very misleading to the reader.

If jewelry were coated with radium rather than rhodium, it would become deadly to its owner, and all because radium is a radioactive chemical element.

For this reason, it cannot be used in any way in the jewelry industry, because the use of silver, which contains radium, would be fatal to humans.

Radium as a chemical element was discovered by the Curies, for which they received the Nobel Prize. It was found that radium is a decay product of uranium, so it can be found in small quantities in uranium ore. This metal is catastrophically scarce in nature. Thus, since the discovery of radium, scientists have extracted only one and a half kilograms of this metal.

Despite the danger of the chemical element, effective use was still found. For example, radon baths have been considered an effective method for treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system for several decades in a row. Radium was also used in technology; for example, in the last century, this metal was used to make luminous coatings that serve as backlight for watch dials and aircraft instruments. But due to radioactivity, radium was no longer used for this purpose.

The difference between rhodium-plated and radiated silver is colossal, since the latter option does not exist at all.

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Source: https://DedPodaril.com/serebro/vidy/radirovannoe-serebro.html

Rhodium plating of gold and silver - what is it?

In recent decades, rhodium-plated jewelry made of gold and silver has become popular. They look great, captivate consumers with a shiny white surface, wear less and do not cause allergic reactions.

All these advantages appear in jewelry thanks to rhodium plating - coating the surface with the thinnest layer of rhodium.

What is rhodium plating for jewelry?

Rhodium plating is the process of depositing a very thin, literally a few microns, layer of rhodium, a valuable platinum group metal, onto the surface of a piece of silver or gold jewelry. Deposits of rhodium are even rarer on our planet than gold or platinum, so the metal is extremely expensive.

For the manufacture of jewelry, it is used only as the thinnest coating from 0.5 to 25 microns. The rhodium layer is applied to the surface of the finished jewelry by electroplating, resulting in a uniform, durable and smooth coating.

After rhodium plating, jewelry not only acquires a bright shine, but also becomes much more durable and resistant to various types of damage. Rhodium withstands mechanical stress and is resistant to aggressive chemical compounds - acids, alkalis, fluorine, sulfur and chlorine compounds. Products coated with this metal do not need cleaning for two to three decades.

Gold rhodium plating

Today, rhodium plating is mainly used for white gold products. Thanks to rhodium plating, jewelry acquires an attractive shine and gets rid of yellowness. The fact is that so-called white gold is not actually perfectly white - the yellowish tint of gold cannot be hidden, especially in products of 750-carat and higher standards.

To give jewelry a perfect white color and radiant shine, their surface is coated with rhodium.

In addition to improving the appearance, this procedure ensures high surface strength, as rhodium has a higher strength rating than platinum.

Rhodium-plated white gold jewelry wears out much less, is less susceptible to scratches and other surface damage, and retains its magnificent shine for a long time.

When the rhodium plating does become damaged, it can be restored in a good jewelry workshop. Rhodium plating of white gold jewelry with diamonds has already become a modern jewelry tradition, which thanks to this acquires a particularly spectacular shine and brightness.

Rhodium hypoallergenic

There is another reason for rhodium plating jewelry - the hypoallergenic properties of rhodium. The fact is that the composition of the ligature for white gold often includes nickel, which is a fairly active allergen.

Rhodium plating protects the skin from contact with nickel particles, thereby ensuring the absence of allergic reactions in people who are prone to them.

Source: https://www.karatov.net/dragmetally/rodirovanie-zolota-i-serebra-chto-eto-takoe/

Rhodium plating, what is it?

Rhodium plating is the application of a layer of rhodium 0.1-25 microns thick to the surface of products to improve their reflectivity and corrosion resistance. As can be seen from the definition of the process, in this case rhodium is used - a platinum group metal with high anti-corrosion properties. You can often come across the wrong name - radiating. Radium cannot be used in the jewelry industry, as it is a radioactive element.

THIS IS INTERESTING: How much does 1 cube of metal weigh?

Let's look at the reasons why rhodium plating is used, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of such a coating.

Why rhodium plating

Silver has long been very popular for the production of a wide variety of jewelry. The advantage is its low cost compared to other precious metals. Pure silver retains its shine and color for many years. However, it is not used in the manufacture of jewelry due to its softness and tendency to deform.

: How much does 925 silver cost?

To improve production qualities, copper and other impurities are added to it. This leads to a decrease in anti-corrosion properties. Simply put, the presence of copper in the alloy reduces its ability to withstand the effects of the external environment and causes the jewelry to darken. The occurrence of blackness also directly depends on the sample of silver.

The solution to this problem was rhodium plating. Rhodium (Rh) is a platinum group metal with high hardness, light reflectivity and chemical resistance. All these properties are exactly what silver lacks.

Advantages

Highly resistant to environmental influences, jewelry does not turn black and does not require constant care and cleaning.

Rhodium plating reliably protects against scratches and abrasions, which makes it possible to maintain its original shine for a long time.

The color of rhodium-plated jewelry is very similar to white gold, which allows you to wear gold and silver together.

Flaws

Silver has a unique white color; rhodium plating gives the product a grayish tint, more reminiscent of white gold or platinum.

If repairs become necessary, it is almost impossible to preserve the coating during the soldering process.

If the antibacterial properties of a silver product are important (water ionizers, baby spoons, drinking bowls), the use of rhodium plating is highly undesirable. Also, rhodium plating is not always pure. To obtain a color closer to silver, some manufacturers add nickel, which is more likely to be nickel plating. Nickel can be an allergen for many people.

Technologically, the rhodium plating process is quite complex, so when purchasing, you should pay special attention to the quality of the plating; it must be very high. The presence of stains and uneven application are unacceptable.

When choosing chains, it is necessary to take into account that at the junctions of the links, the rhodium coating will quickly be wiped off. This is especially true for large, heavy jewelry. However, now there are a large number of workshops that provide the opportunity to re-apply rhodium in the event of destruction.

Based on the above, we can conclude that rhodium plating has a number of advantages, but there are also caveats. It should be noted that the prices of the products do not differ significantly. Therefore, when choosing, the more important factor should be the quality of workmanship and personal preference. If a piece of jewelry makes your heart beat faster, it doesn’t matter whether it’s rhodium-plated or not.

For many centuries, people wore silver without using any protective coatings; often the ability of the noble metal to turn black was a kind of indicator of the health and integrity of a person’s energy field.

Source: https://999proba.com/rodirovanie-serebra-chto-eto-takoe/

What is rhodium plated silver, why is it coated with rhodium, what is the difference from regular silver | mk-soyuz.rf

Good day! Today I want to talk about what rhodium plated silver is, which is often mentioned and widely used in the jewelry industry. I propose to find out together what advantages coating products with another metal provides and what new properties jewelry acquires thanks to it.

What kind of silver is this

Silver shines nobly, but over time it turns black. Blackening is a symptom of oxidation of copper, which is part of the alloy, therefore, the lower the sample, the more noticeable the oxide film on the surface (patina) will be. The ligature oxidizes as a result of interaction with sulfur compounds present in human sweat (therefore, it is recommended to remove silver jewelry while playing sports). Rhodium plating protects the metal from contact with the skin.

Which is correct - radiated or rhodium plated?

That's right - rhodium-plated, which means “silver plated with rhodium.” A metal called radium also exists, but it is radioactive and is not used on jewelry - it would be deadly.

Radium was isolated in its pure form by Marie Curie. He killed his discoverer: in 1934, Maria died from the consequences of many years of radiation. But rhodium is safe and does not cause allergies, which allows it to be used to improve the properties of the metals that we wear on our bodies.

Why is it plated with rhodium?

Rhodium is a noble metal of the platinum group. It is not subject to oxidation and corrosion, is very hard (2 times harder than platinum and 5 times harder than silver) and rare - rhodium is found in only a few tons on the entire planet. It is not flexible enough to be used in jewelry on its own, but rhodium plating on gold and silver is a popular technique because it prolongs the life of jewelry, protects it from patination, and gives it a specific shine.

Composition and properties

I will list the main features of rhodium that have led to its widespread use as a coating:

hardness and strength,
cold shine that does not fade,
corrosion resistance.

Under ideal external conditions, rhodium reflects 80% of the rays of the visible spectrum. Gold reflects only 60%, that is, rhodium shines much brighter, and in combination with its resistance to mechanical damage, even longer. If an ordinary ring becomes covered with a network of small scratches and begins to require polishing just six months after purchase, then a rhodium-plated ring will retain its original appearance for several years.

Vsevolod Kozlovsky6 years in the jewelry business. He knows everything about samples and can identify a fake in 12 seconds. Polishing in itself is not useful for jewelry, although it returns it to its marketable appearance. When processed with a machine, a layer of metal is removed, and the structure of the product weakens - this is not noticeable after one trip to the jeweler, but regularly polishing the ring over several years can seriously damage it. Rhodium plating helps avoid frequent processing and extends the life of jewelry.

The color of rhodium is white-silver, cold, more reminiscent of platinum than silver. If you put two rhodium plated rings side by side, one of which is made of silver and the other of white gold, it will be difficult to notice the difference. This allows you to wear jewelry made of different metals as a set, while wearing chains or rings of different shades together is considered a sign of bad taste.

Strength

Rhodium is a very durable metal and increases the wear resistance of a silver item when plated. A rhodium-plated ring is more resistant to deformation than a regular one and will serve the owner longer.

The hardness of rhodium on the Mohs scale is 6, the characteristic of a mineral with a similar hardness is “scratches glass, can be processed with a file.” Pure gold and silver have a hardness of 2.5, which is slightly higher than the hardness of materials that can be scratched with a fingernail (plaster, mica).

Samples

Silver is rhodium-plated with pure metal without a ligature (otherwise technically impossible). The fineness of rhodium-plated silver is usually 925. Gold is plated with rhodium more often, since it is more expensive than silver, and the coating greatly increases the cost of the item. According to the law, rhodium-plated products are branded according to the samples of the materials from which they are made.

Occasionally, costume jewelry is also rhodium-plated, but not mass-market jewelry, but designer jewelry, especially if it is produced in a limited edition.

Receiving technology

Rhodium is applied to metal objects by electroplating. The anode (electrode with a positive potential) is the auxiliary product, and the cathode (electrode with a negative potential) is the decoration. The result is a layer of rhodium with a thickness of 0.1 to 25 microns.

Before starting the process, the item must be thoroughly polished, otherwise the coating will visually highlight the damage present on the surface. The best option is to process the item immediately after purchase (if this was not done at the factory).

How is it different from regular silver?

The differences are visible to the naked eye: rhodium plated rings and earrings look more shiny than bare ones. Not everyone likes this: many love the characteristic shade of silver and are not ready to exchange it for the bright, but erasing the individuality of the metal, shine of rhodium. Coated jewelry also features:

increased wear resistance,
hypoallergenic,
corrosion resistance,
long service time.

Application of this alloy

Due to its hardness and inertness, rhodium is loved not only by jewelers. We do not see products made from it in everyday life, since it is difficult to process, refractory, non-plastic and expensive, but many necessary items have rhodium plating:

instrument mirrors,
reflective elements of spotlights,
test tubes,
laser systems,
liquid crystal devices,
nuclear reactor detectors.

Advantages and disadvantages

To the advantages of rhodium plating, you can add the ability to choose the color of the coating (black looks chic and modern in combination with precious stones) and even change the color of an old piece of jewelry by simply taking it to the workshop.

Reading about the positive qualities of rhodium-plated silver, it is difficult to imagine that someone might not like it. Let's be fair - in addition to resistance to damage and aristocratic radiance, there are negative aspects. I will dwell on them in more detail.

It is difficult to damage rhodium, but it is possible. If a scratch or crack appears on the surface, polishing will not do the job - you will need to completely remove the layer and reapply it. The same applies to damage to the material itself - for example, breakage of a ring.
Rhodium plating needs to be renewed every 3–6 years (depending on the intensity of use of the item).
If the jewelry is antique or antique-style, it will not be possible to protect it from damage with rhodium - it will begin to shine like new, and the rhodium may lie unevenly.
The coating significantly increases the cost of the finished product.

Where can you buy or sell

Rhodium-plated products are subject to the same rules as jewelry without an additional layer. It is better to buy from trusted stores, especially since the coating makes it difficult to recognize a fake: base metal coated with rhodium looks the same as silver or gold. Rhodium-plated items are accepted in pawnshops at the same price as ordinary ones, but it hardly makes sense to hand over silver - its price is low.

How much does 1 gram of this silver cost today?

In jewelry stores, rhodium-plated silver is more expensive than regular silver, since both rhodium itself and galvanic electrolysis are expensive. You can follow the course of pure rhodium according to the schedule:

Price for 999 standard according to the Central Bank Market value of the sample for today Price for scrap Price in jewelry

Recommendations for care, cleaning and storage

Rhodium protects silver from the harmful effects of the environment and minor scratches, but the protected ring also requires care:

Protect the item from contact with aggressive substances (varnishes, solvents, ammonia, alcohol, household cleaners).
Store separately in a case so that it does not come into contact with others.
Take it off while you sleep, take a bath, or play sports.
Clean only with cloths soaked in warm water or soapy water, without using abrasives.

Following the rules will protect the surface layer from rapid abrasion and prolong the life of the decoration. You can see in the photo what a rhodium-plated silver ring looks like when cared for with love:

Tips for choosing silver jewelry

If you like jewelry with a stone declared as precious, ask the seller for a gemological certificate - this will protect against counterfeiting.
By law, any silver ring must have a hallmark indicating its purity.
Rhodium plated silver doesn't look like regular silver - it looks more like white gold.

Otherwise, it all depends on taste and occasion. There is a risk of buying a fake, but it is small - silver is not so profitable to counterfeit.

Reviews

Anna Ivanova: I'm delighted, it just shines. I decided to plate an old ring, my mother’s, with rhodium in order to wear it longer. I paid 800 rubles for a thin ring, but in my opinion, it’s worth it.

Tatyana: And I love such jewelry, it’s especially nice that they shine like gold and cost almost like silver.

Ivan: We applied this coating to wedding rings and noticed that as it wears out, the yellow color of the gold appears. Looks like an amateur. But there really are no noticeable scratches.

Conclusion

Rhodium plating is an excellent invention for jewelers, especially since it can be applied to almost any smooth piece of jewelry to make it look more sophisticated. In the meantime, I say goodbye to you. Subscribe to articles and repost!

Source: https://xn----ntbhhmr6g.xn--p1ai/dragmetallyi/chto-takoe-rodirovannoe-serebro-i-chem-ono-otlichaetsya-ot-obyichnogo

What is rhodium plating of jewelry?

How does rhodium plating work on jewelry?
Application of rhodium plating

Although rhodium plating of jewelry in Moscow is now ordered by many jewelry owners, it will answer the question of what this process is.

Silver jewelry is very popular among consumers. Silver products are affordable, beautiful, ideal for those who do not really like the golden color of jewelry, or consider gold to be too solid or not suitable for daily wear. In a word, silver is a full-fledged competitor to gold; no fewer people in our country prefer it.

At the same time, silver is almost never used by jewelers without impurities, since in its pure form it is too soft a metal, which, due to this property, can be completely unwearable. In order to give it hardness and strength, additives from other metals are used.

For example, when we see a hallmark number of 925 on silver, this means that the silver content in this product is 92 and a half percent, and the rest is due to impurities designed to improve the properties of silver.

Rhodium plating of silver products is also used for the same purposes .

How does rhodium plating work on jewelry?

Bright, shining surfaces of silver products that do not turn black, oxidizing from water and air, as is usually the case with such jewelry - this is what silver rhodium plating looks like. What is it technically?

Rhodium is used for silver products in the form of a solution, which is used to treat their surface. Rhodium is a hard, white metal that is part of the platinum group. It gives any metal to which it is applied a bright shine and excellent anti-corrosion properties. Rhodium is ideal for creating alloys and coatings, since it itself is quite difficult to process, but its ductility is quite high.

A rhodium solution is applied to silver in a layer of up to 2.5 micrometers, using the galvanization method, when rhodium ions are attached to the surface due to the action of electrical discharges. This ensures the stability of the layer.

Application of rhodium plating

Rhodium plating of jewelry is used for the following purposes:

to make jewelry more durable;
for protection against scratches, corrosion, oxidation;
to give the metal a white color, a brighter shine;
to create products of combined colors, better compatibility with stone inserts.

Rhodium plating is now used quite often, since it is quite affordable, but at the same time it allows many times to improve the intrinsic characteristics of precious metals, which can be very soft. Rhodium-plated jewelry and other products retain their presentable appearance much longer, even if you use them quite often.

1. Often this coating is used to give the metal a more interesting texture - rhodium plated silver can be made smooth or matte.
2. In addition, rhodium plating is often used for such silver items, the operation of which may be associated with mechanical damage - dishes, cutlery, interior items, etc.
3. Rhodium plating protects silver jewelry and objects from external influences - chemical, temperature, mechanical, etc.
4. The rhodium-plated surface retains dust and dirt much worse, so such products require cleaning much less often.

Rhodium plating of silver is usually ordered in order to give the product strength and a beautiful appearance. Rhodium coating can be ordered both for new products to prevent surface damage, and for old ones to restore them.

It is best to take care in advance that the purchased jewelry retains its appearance, and order rhodium plating immediately after purchase - this is especially true for rings, watches and other jewelry, which, due to the nature of wear, can get scratched quite quickly.

Source: http://proba916.ru/articles/chto-takoe-rodirovanie-yuvelirnyix-izdelij.html