Rhodium plated silver: what is it and how is it different from the usual?

The noble luster of silver fades and blackens over time. Thus, the oxidation of copper in the composition of the metal alloy is manifested. Therefore, the lower-grade product, the more pronounced the patina (oxide film) on its surface. Oxidation is caused by the interaction of chemical elements and sulfur compounds released by human sweat. For this reason, it is recommended that you remove your silver for sports activities. However, this does not apply to rhodium-plated items.

Rhodium plating is necessary to protect the metal from mechanical damage and oxidation. Trying to understand the intricacies of jewelry, it is important to understand that items made of precious metals are plated with rhodium. Radium is a completely different chemical element that is a decay product of uranium and is considered radioactive. It is found in small amounts in uranium ore.

But rhodium is absolutely safe and does not cause allergies, for which it is widely used as a protective layer for metal products that are worn on the body. The cost of rhodium is several times higher than the price of gold, so jewelry is not made from rhodium. Due to its incredible hardness, the metal is predominantly used for coating precious items.

They are covered mainly with 925 sterling silver and less often with gold. There is also rhodium-plated jewelry in the form of exclusive designer jewelry, released in a limited edition. Rhodium plating is not used for products from the mass market segment.

The rhodium plating procedure is carried out in almost every workshop that repairs and cleanes jewelry. The process is not complicated and lengthy.

The coated product is protected from external factors such as dirt, temperature extremes, excessive humidity or dry air. The resistance of silver to damage is increased. Strengthens the durability of silver items. The metal has an additional shine.

Silver is rhodium-plated with a metal without a ligature, which means that it does not contain any impurities... Other options are technically impossible. As a rule, the sample of rhodium-plated silver is marked with 925. Plating increases the quality of the thing, but also increases its value. The legislation stipulates that rhodium-plated products are branded according to the samples of the materials from which they are made.

The advantages of rhodium plating include the ability to choose the color of the coating. A chic yet modern option is to make the rhodium-plated black. You can also change the old decoration, making it newer with a new color of the coating. But even with the outward simplicity of the process and the availability of suitable equipment does not mean at all that everyone can cope with the application process. It is unrealistic to carry out the rhodian procedure at home without proper experience. There is a high risk of all-round damage to the surface of the decoration.

Rhodium belongs to the noble metals of the platinum group... Metal is not exposed to oxidation and corrosion. It is distinguished by its high hardness, 2 times higher than that of platinum and 5 times higher than the hardness of silver.

By itself, it is not flexible enough to be used in jewelry, but as a covering material, it is ideal for silver and gold.

Coated jewelry lasts much longer, is protected from patina and shines in the light. Under suitable ambient conditions, rhodium plating is capable of reflecting up to 80% of the visible light. For gold, this figure is only 60%, it turns out that the brilliance of rhodium is much brighter. The main advantages of rhodium, which prompted its widespread use as a coating for jewelry:

• high characteristics of hardness and strength;
• shine that does not fade over time;
• not susceptible to corrosion.

A standard ring made of pure silver after six months of operation is covered with small scratches and needs to be polished. For a similar Rhodium-plated jewelry does not need polishing for several years after purchase. The cold white-silver color of rhodium strongly resembles platinum. If you place a rhodium-plated silver ring and an analogue of white gold next to it, it will be difficult to find obvious differences in the products. This fact makes it possible to combine jewelry made of different metals in a set.

Rhodium is highly durable. Decorations covered with this metal become more durable and last longer. Rhodium plated silver jewelry is more resistant to deformation as compared to conventional jewelry. On the Mohs scale, the hardness of rhodium is 6.

Pure gold and silver have a durability index of only 2.5. This slightly surpasses the hardness of a material such as plaster, which can be easily scratched with a fingernail.

Outwardly, this metal is similar to the prestigious platinum and white gold. However, rhodium plated silver differs from conventional silver in a number of ways. Rhodium-plated metal shines better. It can be identified by its specific strong radiance under the sun's rays. Pure metal cannot boast of luster, but has a grayish tint.

The oxidation rate is influenced by the mass fraction of copper in the alloy and the type of skin of the person who wears the jewelry.

On an industrial scale, rhodium can be obtained by processing native platinum. It turns out a material that is absolutely resistant to acids with one drawback - fragility. Therefore, it is used only as a coating for various metal surfaces.

As a result of electroplating, a layer from 0.1-25 microns in thickness is formed.

Before proceeding with rhodium plating, the thing needs to be thoroughly polished., otherwise the coating will only accentuate the existing flaws on the surface. The best option is to process the item immediately after purchase (if this was not done during the production process). The next step is thoroughly rinse and degrease the product... Then immerse it in a bath of concentrated rhodium sulfate.

The solution should be evenly distributed over the entire surface of the product. After that an electric current is passed through the solution. A chemical reaction takes place, resulting in the release of rhodium. It covers the entire area of ​​the product in a thin layer.

You can purchase a solution for self-rhodium plating of silver in a jewelry workshop or a specialized store.

In everyday life, rhodium products are not found, since it is difficult to process and melt, while it is non-plastic and expensive. But for its hardness and brilliance, rhodium is held in high esteem not only among jewelers. Not only silver jewelry is coated with rhodium, but also instrument mirrors, reflectors on searchlights, liquid crystal devices, parts of nuclear reactors and laser installations.

The purpose of the rhodium plating protects the silver from minor scratches and destructive natural factors. But also protected jewelry needs careful handling and care. The thing should not come into contact with aggressive substances such as varnishes, their solvents, ammonia, alcohol compounds, cleaning agents, including abrasives.

It is better to store rhodium-plated jewelry in separate cases, avoiding contact. Jewelry should be removed at night, before bathing and exercising.

The rhodium layer is destroyed by the action of aggressive detergents - washing powders, dishwashing gels, etc. It is recommended to remove rhodium-plated rings and bracelets before hand washing and dishwashing.... Jewelry can also deteriorate from contact with alcohol, therefore, their interaction with all alcohol-containing compositions is not allowed.

Do not scrub your hands with rhodium-plated rings. Any abrasive particles will damage the protective layer. When caring for rhodium-plated items, special care products for cleaning silver are not suitable either. They are allowed to clean only ordinary silver that does not have any coating.

The same goes for going to the pool, as chlorinated water can destroy the rhodium layer.

Rhodium-plated products also need proper storage. A standard jewelry box will do for this. It is unacceptable to use cardboard boxes for storage! This is because there can be sulfur in the composition of the cardboard, and it entails the oxidation of silver with the loss of its visual appeal. If the product is not worn for a long time, it is recommended to wrap it in flannel.

Even the tough rhodium plating will wear off over time. You can restore it in any jewelry workshop. The old layer will be professionally removed and a new one will be applied instead. The product will shine again, attracting attention with its smoothness and play of light on a snow-white surface.

The technology of rhodium plating was invented precisely to extend the life of silver jewelry.

Sometimes there is more profit in buying ordinary silver and then rhodium plating in the workshop.

It is not easy to damage rhodium, but it is possible. When the surface of the coating is scratched or a crack has appeared, polishing alone will not be enough - you will need to completely remove the layer and rhodium again. In case of breakage or violation of the integrity of the rhodium-plated product, it will have to be restored.

Antique jewelry or antique stylized jewelry cannot be protected from damage with rhodium. The layer will lie unevenly, and the acquired radiance will not be in harmony with the old look of the product.

Considering that plating with a layer of rhodium is not a cheap procedure, its presence significantly increases the cost of the finished decoration. If you like a rhodium-plated product with a stone presented as precious, you need to ask gemological certificate on it from the consultant. This will protect you from acquiring a fake. You also need to make sure of the availability hallmarks indicating the sample... By law, it is required to be present on any silver product.

The list of products suitable for cleaning rhodium-plated jewelry at home is very limited.... Easiest to prepare soap solution water-based and thoroughly wash jewelry that needs cleaning in it. Then they have to be rinsed in clean water and gently but thoroughly blotted with a piece of soft cloth. The same algorithm is used to clean jewelry with cubic zirconias and other precious stones. Products should be cleaned as they become dirty and periodically maintained for preventive purposes.

For what and what products are born, see the next video.