Rhodium plating is one of the plating processes used for silver jewelry. It primarily involves the electroplating of '925 silver jewelry', also called sterling silver to keep the jewelry shining.

It is noteworthy that rhodium is also a precious metal, just like gold and silver. It is much rarer than gold. Rhodium-plated silver jewelry is more expensive than the conventionally worn 925 sterling silver.

It is interesting to note that the origins of the term lie in the Greek word Rhodon, which means pink. But during the plating process, when rhodium is applied to silver jewelry, it yields a slightly brighter and whiter color.

The chemical process for covering solid silver with rhodium is known as electrolysis. Via the passage of current in the jewel, rhodium atoms are chemically fixed on silver atoms. The deposit on the surface remains very regular and the thickness of the resistant layer is 1 to 5 microns.

WHAT IS RHODIUM?

Rhodium is a rare and expensive metal that lies close to platinum in the periodic table. William Hyde Wollaston discovered Rhodium in 1803, in South Africa. But, rhodium is also found in Ontario and Urals mines.

Besides jewelry, rhodium finds applications in the automotive industry, projector mirrors, orthodontics, and photography. The properties of rhodium are similar to platinum. The use of rhodium in catalysts for reducing toxic emissions is one of its important applications. This helps meet environmental standards.

Since rhodium has numerous applications and supply is limited, its demand and pricing are high.

There are several ways in which rhodium plating works for silver jewelry. Let us consider the top ways-

1. SAFEGUARDS AGAINST JEWELRY’S OXIDATION

When silver jewelry is covered with rhodium, it prevents the jewelry from oxidizing. But if 925 sterling silver jewelry is not rhodium plated, contact with skin will oxidize it and so will the air. The jewelry begins to appear dull and sometimes, black spots appear on it.

Nevertheless, when rhodium plating is present, silver jewelry will be whiter and shinier. This adds to the brilliance of the stones mounted on your jewelry.

2. RHODIUM-PLATED JEWELRY IS WHITER THAN PURE SILVER

Color-wise, rhodium-plated silver jewelry will be very similar to white gold jewelry. However, when combined with other components, other shades can also be obtained.

REMOVING OXIDATION FROM NON-RHODIUM-PLATED SILVER JEWELRY

In case sterling silver jewelry is not rhodium plated, it needs to undergo maintenance processes regularly. In this case, your silver jewelry will oxidize with time, but this is also subject to its frequency of use. Contact with perfume, water, air, or skin will oxidize your silver jewelry. The phenomenon will be in the cognition of the people who use silver bracelets or chains every day.

Several methodologies are available for the prevention of this phenomenon, wherein traces of oxidation can be removed from the jewelry. One of the best ways of going about it is to use tissue paper or a small, airtight bag to store your silver jewelry. By using these implements, the blackening of silver jewelry is delayed when you do not use it.

Then, some traditionally used recipes also aid with removing the blackening on silver jewelry. Here toothpaste or ash is rubbed on the silver jewelry such that blackness on it is overcome. These remedies are effective, but only to a certain extent.

One also has to bear caution when using different product lines to overcome the blackness of silver jewelry.