If you’re considering to purchase a plated jewellery, which finishing you prefer? Yellow gold, rose gold or rhodium? There’s more to choosing a metal than just its colour.

You may be asking yourself – What is rhodium? Is it better than gold? To figure out if rhodium plating is right for you, let’s explore exactly what it is. Here are the interesting facts about rhodium.

The rarest elements on earth

Rhodium, a chemical element with the symbol Rh and atomic number 45, is one of the rarest elements on earth. Its abundance is estimated to be 0.0001 parts per million. 60% of the world's rhodium comes from South Africa, and world production of the metal is only about 16 tons per year.

The most valuable metal - costs 6 times of gold

Rhodium is the most expensive precious metal. Rhodium costs about six times as much as gold by weight.

The name originates from Greek

The name ‘Rhodium’ originates from the Greek word ‘rhodon’ meaning rose. The first rhodium compound discovered was a beautiful rose colour.

First discovered by an English

Rhodium was discovered by English chemist and physicist William Hyde Wollaston in 1803 in a platinum ore from South America. It is obtained as a by-product of nickel and platinum production.

The use of rhodium

Rhodium is commonly used in coatings and plating, and electrodes for aircraft spark plugs.

Resistant to tarnishing and corrosion

That is the secret of its durability.

High reflective quality

Jewellery plated with rhodium adds a glorious sheen to the metal below it.

Harder than gold

That is the reason why rhodium plated items more scratch-resistant than gold plated items.

WHY CHOOSE RHODIUM PLATED JEWELLERY?

Rhodium is prized for its bright, white color. Rhodium plated jewellery is coated with a thin layer of rhodium, giving the jewellery piece a brighter colour and making the jewellery piece look extra attractive and eye-catching. When you apply a layer of rhodium plating onto the jewellery base metal, it will enhance the durability of the jewellery. Here are some of the advantages of rhodium plated jewellery…

Extra shine

The base metal of jewellery such as alloy or silver may not give you the shines or sparkles. The rhodium plating process involves applying a thin layer of rhodium onto the piece of jewellery which makes the metal look significantly whiter and adds an attractive, reflective white finish.

Hypoallergenic

It’s important to note that this shimmering white metal is also hypoallergenic, so it’s unlikely to aggravate an allergic prone wearer’s skin. A plus points for customers who have difficulty finding jewellery that won’t leave them with a red, itchy rash.

Resistant to tarnishing

Rhodium is known for its stronger resistance to tarnishing when compared to other metal plating.

Resistant to scratch

The rhodium plating layer protects the jewellery piece from dents, scratches and corrosion.

With proper care, rhodium plated jewellery will last for a long time. At Zhulian, we offer you a wide selection of rhodium plated jewellery designs.

The Tuah Collection is the latest rhodium plated Men Ring Collection made of 925 Sterling Silver. Click the E-catalogue to view the designs.