Rhodium is a member of the platinum family of metals and is used to plate jewellery to help prevent scratching and tarnishing and to give a white, reflective appearance. Rhodium plating is most common on white gold jewellery but is also used to plate silver. Silver is a softer metal than rhodium and can scratch and tarnish over time so rhodium is used to plate the jewellery in question. It is important to remember that rhodium plating does not last forever and the piece will have to be replated eventually. The plating on something that is worn every day such as a ring can wear away in two years or so while something that is worn less frequently such as a necklace can keep it’s plating for ten years or more. The good news is that it’s fairly easy for a jeweller to replate your jewellery, the only thing to be aware of is that the piece needs to be cleaned and polished before replating. The cost of replating will depend on the thickness of the rhodium used. Having said that it’s well worth having a thicker layer of plating put onto frequently worn jewellery as in the long run it will last longer. It’s not crucial to have your silver jewellery rhodium plated but it will help prevent scratches and reduce tarnishing, the choice is yours.
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