Crispy White Gold - Who Needs Rhodium Plating Anyway?
We love crisp, clean white gold as much as the next person. It’s sleek. It’s modern. It goes with literally everything. It’s fabulous.
But why does it need that layer of Rhodium plating? While we’re at it, what is Rhodium plating? Well, the short version is, it adds the shiny chrome vibe that is what we think of when we hear white gold. The extended version is low-key why white gold is everything. Let’s get into it.
Rodi-What?
Ok, so what even is rhodium? Well, it’s a white metal used in fine jewelry to make whites even whiter or as a layer of protection. It’s a member of the platinum family, the whitest natural metal, and even rarer than gold and platinum, just to name a few fun rhodium facts.
Rhodium plating is when another metal is coated in rhodium. This is done to brighten the look of the metal. Rhodium is a bit counter-intuitive in that it’s very brittle on its own, but a thin coating on another metal adds strength and protects it from scratching.
So just how white is the stuff? Well, it’s whiter than silver; in fact, it’s often used to coat silver to lighten the color and help it to keep from tarnishing.
And that white gold color we think of? It’s all thanks to rhodium.
Gets Your Whites Whiter?
So, why is white gold rhodium plated? Like any other gold used in fine jewelry, white gold is made of an alloy. In this case, that means pure gold and other metals that have a silver-to-white tone.
On its own, white gold has a yellow tint to it, so rhodium plating is used to make it more white. That’s how it gets its cool chrome-like look. It also adds strength since it’s much harder than gold, meaning a little bonus scratch resistance.
Rhodium is hypoallergenic, so a thin coating provides a barrier for sensitive skin.
Now and Later
How long does rhodium plating last?
Here’s the tea, rhodium plating does wear down with time. That’s why you hear so much about replating the stuff. How fast it wears down depends entirely on its use. Wear and tear, baby!
Necklaces or earrings may need less maintenance as they aren’t worn daily, and there's not so much wear when they are worn. Rings, on the other hand, have the most wear and tear, especially wedding and engagement rings that you wear on the daily.
So if we’re talking engagement rings, they may have to go in for a dip (that’s a fancy way to say replating) every 12-18 months.
Tip: you can extend the life of plating by taking your jewelry off when you wash your hands or do dishes. And definitely take it off when you swim. Harsh chemicals like chlorine can ruin the plating in a flash.
Can We Get A Redo?
Just how much are all these replating shenanigans going to cost? Well, that kind of depends on where you bought it.
That being said, the cost can vary from place to place and piece to piece. Sometimes softer stones may require a little extra protection. Things like that can add to the price. On average, replating can range anywhere from $50-$100ish per visit.
However, if you buy from Keyzar, replating is included in your lifetime maintenance, so you never have to pay for a dip. The plan also provides prong tightening and cleaning. It’s a major W.
Ready To Get Replated?
Rhodium plating is truly the unsung hero of the white gold game. It makes it whiter, brighter, and more robust. What’s not to love?
If you’re going for that white gold, it’s good to remember that it will need a little upkeep now and then. Is it worth it? Absolutely. White gold is high-key one of the most desirable metals out there. Why wouldn’t you want it? And if you buy from us, you never have to pay for plating. That's a major W.
Still Got Questions?
It’s true. Not everybody knows the facts about rhodium–or anything about rhodium, for that matter. But no worries, we’ve got the FAQ on that infamous shiny metal.
Is Rhodium Hypoallergenic?
Yes! Rhodium is totally hypoallergenic, which we love. It also creates a super thin barrier making the jewelry its coating hypoallergenic as well.
Some jewelry contains nickel which tons of people are allergic to. So a little rhodium dip can help protect skin and prevent irritation, just watch out for that wear. Since rhodium can wear through, it might start to bother your skin until you get it replated.
Does Rhodium Tarnish?
Nope! Rhodium does not tarnish. In fact, it’s often used on silver to prevent tarnishing. And while we’re at it, rhodium doesn’t rust or corrode either. Rhodium is strong all on its own, so it doesn’t need to be alloyed with metals like copper or nickel that tend to corrode or tarnish.
Why is Jewelry Plated With Rhodium?
Rhodium plating adds protection, is more scratch resistant than gold or silver, and gives the jewelry a brighter white color.
On its own, rhodium is too brittle to be made into jewelry. The plating must be very precise in thickness to keep it from cracking. So why add it to jewelry? This magic 1-micron thick layer adds all the benefits with none of the drawbacks. It's W’s across the board!
Is All White Gold Plated With Rhodium?
Yes, mostly. On its own, white gold has a warm yellow tint to it. The bright chrome-like color we see in white gold is the rhodium plating.
So if your white gold piece looks crispy and bright, it’s definitely coated. If it has a warm hint of golden color, it may not be, or the plating may have worn down, letting the original color show through. For the record, all of our white gold jewelry is rhodium plated.
