Types of plating
Rhodium Plating
Rhodium plating (or dipping) is done over yellow or white gold to make your jewelry bright white. Silver is also rhodium plated on occasion to prevent tarnishing.
Gold Plating
Yellow gold plating can be done over white gold, sterling silver, or costume jewelry in 10k, 14k, or 18k.
What is rhodium plating?
Rhodium is a white, shiny, scratch resistant metal in the platinum family that doesn't tarnish. This makes it a perfect choice for plating yellow or white gold jewelry to protect it and make it bright white. It's used most often over white gold.
White gold is yellow gold with alloys (different metals) added to it to make it white. But it is akin to adding milk to orange juice—it never gets fully white. So virtually all white gold is rhodium plated.
What's the cost?
If your jewelry is white, yellow or rose gold:
- Rhodium plating: $86 for most rings; larger items by quote
- Gold Plating: Small items (rings and small pendants) are $150; larger items are by quote, beginning at $200.
If your jewelry is silver or costume:
- Plating starts at $145 for both gold plating and rhodium plating.
- Certain metals cannot be plated; please inquire for more information.
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Can yellow gold be plated?
Yes, but if it’s a ring, we don’t recommend it. When the rhodium wears off just a tiny bit, you’ll see bright yellow underneath. It's best to remake your ring in white metal (white gold, platinum, or silver).
On the other hand, dipping yellow gold earrings or a necklace in rhodium will last much longer and may be a good choice.
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How long does it last?
Rhodium plating on rings with daily wear typically last an average of 2 - 4 years, although the length can be much shorter or longer depending on your body chemistry, contact with chemicals, and the amount of contact your ring receives.
Rhodium plating on necklaces and earrings can last for many years because of the limited number of surfaces they touch.
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