Rhodium-Plated Jewelry Guide 2025

If you want to keep your jewelry looking its best, rhodium plating is a popular choice. It’s commonly used to coat rings, necklaces, and other jewelry pieces, giving them a glossy, reflective finish while boosting durability. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about rhodium plating and help you decide whether it’s the right option for your jewelry.

What Is Rhodium?

Rhodium is a rare, silvery-white metal from the platinum group known for its high reflectivity, resistance to corrosion, and durability. These qualities make it an excellent choice for jewelry. Because rhodium is rarer and more expensive than gold or platinum, it's often used as a coating to improve both the appearance and longevity of jewelry.

What Is Rhodium Plating?

Rhodium plating is a process where a thin layer of rhodium is applied to jewelry, enhancing its appearance, strength, and resistance to oxidation. It’s typically used on white gold, sterling silver, and white gold jewelry to create a bright, shiny finish. This is why rhodium plating is so popular for engagement rings and wedding bands. There are two types of rhodium plating: white rhodium, used for traditional jewelry, and black rhodium, which is often used for a trendy, dark look.

Why Is Rhodium Plating So Popular for Jewelry?

Today, many jewelry pieces, particularly those made from white gold or 925 sterling silver, are coated with rhodium. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Durability: Rhodium is extremely hard, offering strong protection against scratches and damage.
• Enhanced Shine: Rhodium plating provides jewelry with a bright, mirror-like finish that makes it look more like platinum.
• Corrosion Resistance: Rhodium resists oxidation, making it perfect for 925 sterling silver, preventing tarnishing and dullness.
• Hypoallergenic: Rhodium plating helps reduce the risk of allergic reactions, especially for those sensitive to metals like nickel.

How Thick Should Rhodium Plating on Jewelry Be?

The ideal thickness for rhodium plating ranges from 0.75 to 1.0 microns. This is thin enough for everyday jewelry like rings but still provides good protection. For earrings, pendants, or less frequently worn jewelry, a thinner layer of 0.10 to 0.50 microns is typically sufficient.

How Much Does Rhodium Plating Cost?

The cost of rhodium plating depends on the thickness of the plating, the size of the jewelry, and the jeweler providing the service. On average, rhodium plating costs between 89.00 AUD and 270.00 AUD per piece. Larger or more complex jewelry may be more expensive, while simpler rings or smaller jewelry may cost less.

How Long Does Rhodium Plating on Jewelry Last?

The lifespan of rhodium plating depends on several factors, such as how often the jewelry is worn, the thickness of the plating, and the type of underlying metal. On average, the rhodium plating on frequently worn jewelry, like rings, can last from 6 months to a year. Jewelry worn less frequently or treated more carefully may keep its plating for years. The thicker the plating, the longer it will last. When the shine and whiteness of the plating start to fade, it's a sign that it's time for a re-plating.

For white gold, you may notice a yellowish tint, and for silver, the jewelry may start losing its high shine. Additionally, if your jewelry begins to scratch more easily or shows signs of dullness, the rhodium plating may have worn off and needs to be replaced.

Rhodium plating is an ongoing cost that will increase over time. To avoid this, you might want to choose a white-shiny metal like platinum, which doesn’t need plating as it naturally has a gleaming, silvery finish. However, keep in mind that no matter which metal you choose, there will always be maintenance costs. Even platinum can scratch and wear, requiring regular polishing.

Rhodium Plating on Different Metals

Rhodium Plating on 925 Sterling Silver

What is 925 sterling silver with rhodium plating?

Rhodium-plated silver involves applying a layer of rhodium over pure silver to make it whiter and brighter. Silver is a relatively soft metal, so rhodium plating helps prevent it from scratching or wearing down. Pure silver is too soft to be used in jewelry, so it contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals like copper or nickel. The small amounts of copper and nickel in pure silver can cause it to lose its shine. Rhodium plating helps prevent this from happening.

Rhodium Plating on White Gold

Why does white gold need rhodium plating?
Pure white gold is not truly white but has a slight yellowish tint. Rhodium plating on white gold removes this yellowish hue. Different shades of gold come from the alloys or metal mixtures. To make white gold, nickel is often added as a whitening agent. A rhodium layer can also protect your skin from coming into contact with nickel in white gold.

Is white gold always rhodium plated?

Most white gold jewelry on the market is rhodium-plated. If your white gold jewelry looks shiny and silver, it likely has a rhodium layer. If it has a faint yellowish tint, it may be true white gold. However, having rhodium-plated white gold is not a bad thing—rhodium plating adds value and durability. Just be prepared for some maintenance to keep that reflective shine.

How to Clean Rhodium-Plated Jewelry

It's best to take rhodium-plated jewelry to a jeweler for professional cleaning. For everyday care, we recommend using a mild soap and warm water solution with a soft cloth or microfiber towel to gently clean your jewelry. Avoid abrasive cleaners, harsh chemicals, or brushes, as they can wear down the rhodium plating faster. Proper storage (like keeping your jewelry in a soft cloth bag) also helps prevent scratches and prolongs the plating’s life. After cleaning, rinse with water and dry with a clean, soft towel.

How to Make Rhodium Plating Jewelry Last Longer

• Avoid friction on the rhodium layer, such as frequently washing your hands, as it can wear it down faster.
• Keep your jewelry away from harsh chemicals. Always remove jewelry when handling chemicals, or wear rubber gloves to protect your rings.
• Remove jewelry before swimming in chlorinated pools, as chlorine can damage the plating.
• Perfumes and cosmetics can also affect rhodium plating. Avoid contact with these products, and if they do come in contact, wipe them off immediately.

How to Tell if Jewelry is Rhodium-Plated

To determine if your jewelry is rhodium-plated, check if the surface is bright and mirror-like, especially for white gold or silver items. Jewelry that maintains a bright, highly-polished look without signs of rust typically has rhodium plating. If you're unsure, a jeweler can test it to confirm. Over time, as rhodium wears off, the natural color of the underlying metal may start to show through, like a faint yellowish tint on white gold.

Rhodium Plating vs Other Metal Platings: Comparison Chart

Conclusion

Rhodium plating is more than just a finishing touch—it’s a powerful way to enhance both the beauty and resilience of your jewelry. Whether you’re protecting a cherished white gold ring or elevating the shine of sterling silver, understanding how rhodium works and how to care for it can make all the difference. With proper maintenance, rhodium-plated pieces can retain their brilliance and sophistication for years to come, making them a smart and stylish choice for everyday elegance.