Rhodium Plating for White Gold

Rhodium is a rare, silvery white metal in the platinum group. It is too brittle to form jewellery on its own, yet it is prized as a plating because it is harder than gold, highly reflective, and almost immune to tarnish. A microscopic layer, usually under two microns thick, masks the underlying metal’s colour and gives a brilliant, mirror like surface. Because rhodium contains no nickel, it is also hypoallergenic. Its scarcity makes it the most expensive precious metal per gram, but only a trace is needed to transform the appearance of white gold, silver, or platinum pieces.

Jewellers typically plate rings at 0.75–2.0 microns. Go too thin and the coating can rub off in weeks; go too thick and it may become brittle, leading to flaking. Optimal thickness balances durability and flexibility while keeping cost sensible, as rhodium is dearer than gold. A reputable workshop will tailor the deposit: heavier for wedding bands that see daily friction, lighter for pendants or earrings where wear is minimal. Thickness also affects colour; a proper deposit looks bright white, while an under plated surface can appear greyish once the underlying metal shows through.

Yes. Pure rhodium contains no nickel or copper, so the plated surface is skin safe even for people with metal allergies. The caveat is wear: once the coating thins, any base metal—especially older white gold alloys containing nickel—can touch the skin and trigger a reaction. If you are sensitive, inspect your ring every few months for yellow or dull patches. Replate promptly if you see colour change. Alternatively, consider cobalt or palladium rich white gold, which are naturally white and nickel free, eliminating the need for recurring coatings to stay hypoallergenic.

Look for three signs. First, a yellow or creamy tint where the band contacts your skin; that is the underlying alloy peeking through. Second, a dull, grey film—rhodium loses its mirror polish before it fully disappears. Third, increased tarnish or black marks after cleaning, showing the alloy is now exposed to air. Good lighting and a white background help spot colour shifts. If you notice any of these changes, professional polishing and replating restore the bright white surface. Leaving it too long allows deeper scratches, requiring more metal removal at the next polish.

Many high street jewellers send plating to off site workshops, so turn round is often a week. Independent jewellers such a Jewellery Workshop in Maidstone with their own electro plating tanks can complete a simple polish and plate within a few days, maybe sooner, provided the ring needs no stone tightening or solder work. Same day service still involves ultrasonic cleaning, steam degreasing, microscopic inspection, polishing, plating, rinsing, and final buffing—each step essential for a secure bond. Always phone ahead; busy periods such as Christmas or wedding season can lengthen waiting times. If your ring has delicate stones or enamel, extra care may extend the process.

Not on its own. Plating is translucent and only microns thick; any mark in the underlying metal will show straight through. A jeweller first polishes the ring to remove scratches, then cleans it meticulously before plating. Very deep dents may need laser filling or re shanking, as over polishing could weaken the ring. Once the surface is perfectly smooth, the rhodium layer acts like a fresh mirror finish. Think of plating as clear varnish on a car: flawless if the panel is smooth, but it highlights every dent if prep work is skipped.

Most diamonds, sapphires, and rubies tolerate plating temperatures and chemicals. Porous gems such as opal, turquoise, or emerald must be removed—or carefully masked—because heat, acids, and ultrasonic cleaning can cause damage or discolouration. Soft stones like pearls and amber should never enter a plating bath. A competent jeweller will assess each setting, often removing vulnerable stones before treatment and resetting them afterwards. This extra labour increases cost but safeguards the gems. If your ring includes heat sensitive stones, ask for a quotation that covers removal, stone checks, and re setting.

Use warm water, a drop of mild washing up liquid, and a soft toothbrush. Gently brush under stones and around claws, then rinse and pat dry with a lint free cloth. Avoid silver dips, toothpaste, or abrasive pastes—these can scratch rhodium or accelerate wear. Ultrasonic machines sold for home use are generally safe for diamonds but can loosen settings if vibrated for too long. Remove rings before swimming, gardening, or applying hand cream; chlorine and gritty soil shorten plating life. Store pieces separately in soft pouches to prevent metal to metal contact.

Yes. Silver benefits greatly because rhodium blocks tarnish, keeping the piece bright for months rather than days. Platinum is already white, but a rhodium flash adds extra sparkle for clients who prefer a brilliant, chrome like shine. Sterling silver and platinum both accept plating well and, unlike white gold, do not reveal a stark colour contrast when it eventually wears through. Costume jewellery base metals like brass or copper plate poorly unless heavily barrier coated in nickel or palladium first, a process seldom economical for fashion items.

It does not hinder future work, but the coating burns away under soldering heat and must be stripped before any repair. After resizing, new metal added to the shank will look distinctly yellow unless the entire ring is replated. The same rule applies to claw retipping, stone replacement, or laser engraving. Always factor the cost of a fresh plate into repair quotes. A reputable jeweller will include it automatically and return the ring looking uniform, with no visible colour breaks between old and new sections.

Palladium rich white gold and cobalt are the two leading low maintenance options. Palladium is mined in smaller volumes than gold but lasts longer between polishes, reducing chemical use over the ring’s lifetime. Cobalt rings need no plating at all and are manufactured from scrap recycled alloys in many cases. Sterling silver can be alloyed with germanium to create Argentium, a tarnish resistant variant that omits rhodium and nickel. For customers keen on a sustainable choice, ask your jeweller if the metal is recycled and whether refineries meet Responsible Jewellery Council standards.

Pick a metal that is born white. Palladium rich 18ct white gold looks bright with minimal rhodium and keeps traditional hallmark value. Platinum offers natural whiteness, excellent weight, and prestige but is softer in daily wear. Cobalt gives the brightest white, is hard wearing, scratch resistant, and priced well below platinum, making it a strong modern option. Titanium and tungsten look gun metal grey rather than true white but offer extreme durability with no plating. Weigh up budget, weight preference, and lifestyle, then select a metal that looks great straight from the box, and stays that way

Yes, cobalt is one of the best modern substitutes. It is naturally bright white, so it never needs rhodium plating or colour touch ups. Cobalt’s hardness rivals tungsten, making it highly scratch resistant and ideal for everyday wear. Unlike some traditional alloys, cobalt is completely nickel free and hypoallergenic, so it is kind to sensitive skin. Its light weight and low cost compared with platinum or palladium make it budget friendly, yet it still delivers a premium look. If you want a white ring that stays white with virtually zero maintenance, cobalt is hard to beat.