Connoisseurs of exquisite jewelry are undoubtedly aware of the existence of rhodium plating, the application of which is widely used today in jewelry. This finish allows you to give products a unique shine and improve consumer properties. What else is rhodium-plated jewelry good for and is it as perfect as the ad says?
At the beginning of the 19th century, the poor English physician William Wollaston, leaving medical practice, went into the study of chemistry. Thanks to his painstaking research, rhodium was discovered. It is a noble metal of silvery color, occupying 45th place in the periodic table and very rarely found in nature. Rhodium is several times more expensive than gold, but it is almost impossible to find jewelry made entirely of this metal. This is due to its physical properties and high cost. The main feature of rhodium is its high fragility. At the same time, this metal is harder than platinum, it is unusually resistant to mechanical stress and wear. It is very difficult to scratch rhodium. These unique qualities have made it possible to use the silvery metal as a special coating for gold and platinum items. Rhodium-plated items of so-called white gold can be found most often. The coating gives the jewelry a bright color and protects the precious metal from scratches and other defects. The ability to retain its natural color and never tarnish makes rhodium indispensable in jewelry. Rhodium-plated products last significantly longer while retaining their attractive original appearance. Rhodium plating also has disadvantages. The lifespan of a product processed with this metal is long, but not infinite. Sooner or later, the rhodium plating needs to be renewed. The lifespan of the coating is determined by the intensity of use and the conditions of the initial application. If a product containing rhodium is used in combination with elements made of other materials, its lifespan will be reduced. Daily skin contact also does not benefit the thin layer of rhodium. You can restore the integrity of the rhodium plating or supplement it with another layer of this unique metal in specialized jewelry workshops.