Silver jewelry is becoming more and more popular. They are beautiful, refined and elegant. But silver has one significant drawback - it darkens from contact with the skin. It is this problem of such jewelry that rhodium-plated silver solves. We will talk about the methods of making jewelry and the intricacies of alloys with silver in this article. Purchased rings and earrings made of rhodium-plated silver will keep their shine and beauty for a long time.
Why youth chooses silver
- White silver products are suitable for all skin types and at the same time do not distract attention from their mistress.
- Gold is a celebration, haute couture clothes and expensive perfume. Silver - restraint, versatility and casual chic.
- Individuality and versatility - from massive bracelets to thin rings.
- Price policy is also important.
- Evengreat-grandmother's silver ring remains a stylish accessory.
- Gender equality - gender issues do not restrict the wearing of silver jewelry.
- Use in folk alternative medicine. "Moon metal" rejuvenates the body.
- Silver is on friendly terms with corals, gems, ivory, pearls and even gold.
- The high plasticity of silver allows you to create extraordinary jewelry designs.
A or O matters
On the Internet, you can find two similar, but completely different concepts: radiated and rhodium-plated silver. A thin layer, which is electroplated on silver jewelry, consists of rhodium. Rhodium is a platinum group metal, one of the rarest on our planet. By the way, its price per ounce is 10 times the price of gold.
Why is there no rhodium jewelry like gold and platinum? After all, rhodium is the most brilliant of the platinum metals, it has a white-blue color with a silvery sheen. The peculiarity of this metal is its extreme strength, which is provided by bonds in the crystal lattice of the substance. But such hardness also makes pure rhodium items more brittle.
Another element - radium (Radium) - also a brilliant metal, but from the group of alkaline earth. It has a high atomic activity (radioactive) and quickly tarnishes in air. At the beginning of the last century, it was believed that the addition of this metal to food, cosmetics, jewelry has a beneficial effect on human he alth. However, research has shownthe opposite result, and since the 70s of the last century, the use of this radioactive element has been banned altogether.
Why is silver coated
If you had a “moon metal” ring, then you know that from time to time you have to clean it - it darkens. This oxidizes the alloying metal in the jewelry and forms silver sulfide, which deprives the jewelry of its luster.
In gold alloys, it is gold that gives strength to the second and third components (silver, copper, platinum) in various proportions. In silver alloys, in addition to silver, only one additional component is always used - copper. It is she who determines the sample of the product (800, 830, 875, and the highest - 999) and the color of the jewelry. In addition, silver itself is a very ductile and soft metal and practically does not hold its shape in its pure form.
And, trying to improve the anti-corrosion properties and give shine to jewelry, cunning jewelers thought, is it possible to give birth to silver? And a way was found.
How it's done
The essence of the process is as simple as a carrot. A layer of rhodium is applied to the finished product by galvanic method (spraying). Its thickness does not exceed 25 micrometers, but the thinner - the cheaper.
As a result, for example, a rhodium-plated silver ring can become black, white (you can't tell it from platinum!) or colored - it all depends on the processing method. And besides, products acquire brightness and shine, which lasts up to 3 years without changes.
All SL class jewelry (Sport Leicht - sporty and light as"Mercedes") is made of rhodium-plated silver. And these, for a moment, are brands such as Tiffany, Gucci, Christian Dior and Pandora products so beloved by young people.
Rhodium platinum or white gold?
Indeed, outwardly it is quite difficult to distinguish products from these metals. And taking into account the fact that jewelry made of such silver is on average 3.5 times cheaper than that of white gold, and 5.5 times cheaper than platinum, the interest in such items becomes understandable.
Difficult to distinguish, but possible. The first option is a label. In platinum, it looks like a stretched octagon. A rectangular hallmark, similar to a spatula, stands on white gold. For silver, a brand in the form of a barrel is used (an oval with a cut top and bottom).
Option two and more complicated. These metals have completely different samples. Platinum has 950, 900 and 850. Gold has 500, 585 or 583 (the most common), 750. Silver has the following options: 925, 875, 830 and 800.
Keep in mind that often regular gold is plated with a layer of rhodium and is passed off as white gold, and only a professional can distinguish it.
And yet
Despite the obvious advantages of this method, which we have already discussed, reviews of rhodium-plated silver are mixed. Among the shortcomings, consumers distinguish the following:
- You will not be able to repair a broken bracelet or chain in an ordinary jewelry workshop. It is possible to restore the rhodium layer only with special equipment.
- External chainrhodium-plated silver will always be too shiny and whiter. What not all fashionistas like.
- Abrasions, nicks and chips appear on bracelets made of rhodium-plated silver with prolonged wear.
- And the last thing - rhodium jewelry is more expensive than just silver. This is outrageous!
If you have a Tiffany ring on your hand
But it is necessary to protect the product, namely:
- Rhodium does not really like contact with aggressive bodily fluids, namely then. Therefore, it is better to remove jewelry when visiting the gym and sauna.
- Chlorinated pool water is also quite corrosive to rhodium silver.
- The product can darken with constant exposure to alcohol-containing liquids - lotions and perfumes.
- Aggressive cleaning chemicals are out of the question - they corrode your hands as well.
Cleaning and storage features
This is not silver for you! And ordinary folk remedies, such as tooth powder or ammonia, are categorically contraindicated in this case.
When darkening a rhodium sterling silver item, wash it in warm water without adding soap or detergent and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth until dry.
You can use special napkins that are sold in jewelry stores. At the same time, you must carefully read the instructions.
Store rhodium-plated silver items best wrapped in cloth and in a wooden box. Cardboard boxes contain sulfur, which contributes to the loss of shine of the decoration.
Summing up
Silver remains the branded metal in the jewelry industry today. It continues to heal, refresh, ennoble people and their way of life. And rhodium-plated silver gives its owners a positive emotional mood, silvery sheen and moderately restrained beauty.
Leading fashion design brands are increasingly turning their attention to this kind of silver. It is accessible to active and athletic youth of all genders, unassuming in the office and in the restaurant. Shiny and durable, rhodium-plated sterling silver is the perfect gift, and some brands even offer collection opportunities.
