All about rhodium gold

From time immemorial, jewelry was considered a sign of prosperity or even luxury. Properly selected accessory indicated the excellent taste of its owner. Nowadays, jewelry made of gold is a wonderful gift for both young girls and adult women. Do not forget about luxury presentations for men. To give the yellow metal an expressive appearance, specialists use special coatings.

At the peak of popularity are jewelry, the manufacture of which used the technology of rhodium gold. During this procedure, the product is coated with another metal, rhodium.

As a result of processing, the yellow material acquires a light shade and becomes similar to white gold.

Rhodium is a precious metal and is included in the platinum group metals. It has all the necessary physical and chemical properties. This is a solid and inert element that is part of the periodic table. In addition, experts noted the high reflectivity of rhodium, due to which jewelry acquire expressive shine and radiance.

The substance used to process jewelry was discovered in 1803. Due to the small number of deposits of this metal, its value is constantly increasing.

Light and shining coating fulfills not only visual, but also practical purpose. Do not forget that gold is a beautiful metal, but soft by nature.

Rhodium makes the product stronger, removes excessive ductility.

Rhodium plating is used for the following purposes:

• changes in the color tone of the product;

• shades of decoration;

• fastener fasteners;

• processing of places intended for encrusting the product with stones.

Rhodium plating has its advantages and disadvantages, which were identified by connoisseurs of jewelry and professional jewelers.

This procedure has a number of positive characteristics.

• Metal processing from the platinum group gives the products a unique appearance. Rhodium-plated jewelry becomes more radiant, expressive and noble. In addition, this appearance is preserved even with intensive use of jewelry.
• If you want to preserve an antique product made of precious metal, it is recommended to return it to a jewelry workshop by ordering a rhodium service. Such processing will change the chemical characteristics of the metal, and due to this, the service life of the products will significantly extend.
• A layer of noble and light metal makes the products less vulnerable to negative environmental influences, for example, temperatures and various reagents. Processed products are not afraid of alkali, acids, chlorine and other aggressive components. This factor is important for those who wear jewelry almost always.
• With the help of rhodium, specialists change the standard color of gold. In most cases, when using a platinum group metal, a white glossy shade of the surface of the gold jewelry is achieved. However, with the help of additional chemical elements you can give the product another unusual shade.
• Through processing, you can refresh the old decoration, giving them a modern look. This is a small-priced service that is affordable for everyone.

The main advantages regarding the use of rhodium in the jewelry industry are listed. In fact, the advantages of such processing are much greater. Despite the many advantages, this procedure has its drawbacks.

Cons are in the following points.

• Changing the appearance of the product is simultaneously considered both an advantage and a disadvantage. The fact is that because of rhodium, it is difficult to visually determine the metal from which the jewelry is made. Some buyers who pay special attention to jewelry can see a gold sample by eye. But not all users can do this. In order not to become a victim of scammers, spending money on a fake, you must make a purchase in a trusted store. It is also recommended that you check the documentation that came with each decoration.
• A further disadvantage is the abrasion of the coating. Despite the strength and wear resistance of rhodium, a thin layer is applied to the products during processing, which erases over time. In this case, you will have to constantly update the coverage, and this is an additional financial expense.

The visual effect of processing and its service life depends on the master performing the work and other factors.

The wear resistance, practicality and resistance of the additional layer to external influences depends on this parameter.

Now specialists working in the jewelry industry use several rhodium technologies. During this process, electrolysis is used.

Before birth, you need to prepare jewelry. They are thoroughly cleaned with special solutions and polished. Then they are degreased with alkali and washed - successively in hot and cold water.In the final stage of preparation of the product is incubated for several seconds in a solution of sulfuric acid. This is done in order to increase the adhesion of rhodium to the surface of gold.

At the same time, a liquid solution is prepared from rhodium salts. Products are immersed in a liquid bath through which an electric current is passed. During processing, the molecules of this platinum metal form an even and smooth layer.

When using rhodium for processing products from white metals, an additional layer is applied over the entire surface of the product. This is due to the fact that the base alloy is the same color as the protective coating. Even if the top layer is erased or damaged, the difference will not be noticeable. In some cases, when working with light precious metals, rhodium is used for protective purposes.

In this case, the masters adhere to the same technology, and when working with white gold. The main difference lies in the partial application of rhodium to the surface of the product. The fact is that over time, the base metal will gradually come out through an additional layer. As a result, the appearance of the decoration will deteriorate, the aesthetics will be violated.

Rhodium is very similar to the gilding process. In both cases, a thin layer of metal is applied to the product, which changes the appearance of the product and acts as a protection. The main difference is that the rhodium layer gives white, and the gilding gives yellow.

Rhodium plating is used for several purposes. There are several varieties of coating that have been used by professionals for decades.

Standard processing is used in most cases. With its help, products acquire a cold shine and a silver tint. Coating lasts a long time, extending the service life.

In this case, the usual protective properties of the metal layer are preserved, while the objects receive a noble and refined blackness. With the help of such processing, the products acquire an antique look. The wizard can adjust the saturation of the coating: from light gray to saturated black. This processing option is great for products with black stones or pearls. The original effect is achieved due to the special chemical composition.

Rodirovannye products need careful and regular care. And although rhodium increases the strength and wear resistance of jewelry, it is still a thin coating layer that will wear off over time.

The basic rules with processed products are several points.

• Jewelry should be stored in a separate box or case.

• Despite the resistance of rhodium to chemical compositions, it is advisable to protect the jewelry from contact with reagents.

• Before going to bed, cleaning, applying cosmetics and using household chemicals, products must be removed.

• Rings are particularly susceptible to wear. As soon as they lose their presentable appearance, they should be taken to a jewelry workshop.

• It is recommended to periodically clean the products. Work should be carried out without the use of aggressive or abrasive substances. You can use a soft cloth or brushes.

See the following video for the benefits of rhodium.