Rhodium Plated vs Gold Plated: Key Differences
Choosing products for your jewelry brand isn't always easy. If you're a newcomer to the industry, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the different specifications for jewelry. Plating determines the finish and lifespan of your jewelry.
We're deep-diving into the different types of plating you can choose from for your jewelry. This guide focuses on the two most popular jewelry plating choices: rhodium and gold. You'll want to find a jewelry manufacturer who can help you find the right plating for your price point and customers.
What Is Rhodium Plated Jewelry?
Rhodium-plated jewelry has a distinctive silvery-white appearance and uses a hard metal typically found in platinum ores. Rhodium in its natural state is too hard to work with as a solid.
Instead, rhodium is used as an alloy to make platinum more durable. This noble metal is a popular choice for jewelry plating, since it adds a natural shine and outperforms most other metals for durability. You'll typically find rhodium plating added to silver jewelry, deepening its grey tone to create an ideal setting for stones like cubic zirconia.
Rhodium is considered one of the most precious metals and is rarer than gold. It has a bright silvery-white finish that adds a reflective shine to jewelry for a more expensive-looking appearance. Most brands add rhodium plating to silver jewelry for extra protection and added brightness.
Why You Should Use Rhodium Plated Jewelry
The durability of rhodium is why it's one of the most popular choices for jewelry plating. Its high-shine finish also shows up in lighting fixtures, mirrors, and even automobiles. Adding rhodium plating to jewelry helps add luster to its finish and makes it more resilient.
Rhodium plating is commonly used for jewelry intended to be worn every day. This finish gives you the peace of mind that a piece can be worn without worrying about it corroding or scratching.
Most jewelry manufacturers in Thailand choose rhodium plating because it's hypoallergenic and doesn't contain nickel. If you're an independent jewelry brand, it's worth having rhodium plating in your store as an option for customers with sensitive skin.
Since it's nickel-free, rhodium plating is typically used for silver earrings to prevent skin irritation. If a customer has ever experienced jewelry leaving behind green marks on their skin, that's usually a sign of a nickel allergy, and switching to rhodium plating solves it.
How Long Does Rhodium Plating Last?
Rhodium plating is nickel-free and corrosion-resistant, meaning it won't tarnish or rust over time. Most rhodium plating lasts around a year with regular wear before needing to be re-plated. It's hard to estimate exactly how long it will last, since that depends on how often the piece is worn and the friction it's exposed to. Jewelry worn only on rare occasions can last for years without needing a re-plate.
Generally, rings made with rhodium plating have a shorter lifespan than rhodium-plated necklaces, simply due to the difference in daily friction.
You can help extend the lifespan of rhodium-plated jewelry with regular gentle cleaning. A damp cloth is the best way to clean it, and it's worth avoiding chemicals or soap.
What Is Gold Plated Jewelry?
Gold-plated jewelry is when a thin layer of gold is applied to silver jewelry using electrochemical or chemical plating. The most important thing to check when considering gold plating is the thickness of the layer. Gold plating has been used since 1805, when Luigi Brugnatelli developed the method of applying a thin coat of gold onto a silver base.The gold layer is added using an electric current that attracts gold from a chemical solution onto the jewelry's base metal. Jewelry brands typically choose gold plating to give the appearance of solid gold at a far more attainable price point.
Jewelry worn in high-friction areas, like rings, should typically carry a thicker gold plating to help it hold up under regular wear. For jewelry to be classified as “gold plated,” the gold layer needs to be at least 0.175 microns thick.
Why You Should Use Gold Plated Jewelry
If you want the look of gold jewelry without the price tag, gold plating is the answer. It's virtually impossible to tell the difference from solid gold to the naked eye.Gold plating works on a range of base metals, from nickel to stainless steel and copper. Although only a small amount of gold is used in the process, it is still genuine gold. You'll typically find gold plating ranging from 10k to 24k gold.
The difference between gold plating grades shows up mainly in color. As the plating quality increases, the color produced gets closer to a true gold shade.
How Long Does Gold Plated Jewelry Last?
You can help maintain gold-plated jewelry by cleaning it with warm water and a mild soap. Over time, gold-plated jewelry will lose some of its luster and can start to show wear. It's the base metal underneath, not the gold plating itself, that causes most of the visible tarnishing. While gold plating is intended to be long-lasting, how long it actually lasts depends heavily on usage and care.Rhodium vs. Gold Plated: Quick Comparison
The main difference between rhodium and gold plating comes down to color. Rhodium has a silver tone with cool undertones, while gold has warmer undertones. Gold can be used to make jewelry entirely on its own, while rhodium is only ever used as a plating.Rhodium plating is generally the better choice for children's jewelry, given its durability and suitability for sensitive skin. Gold plating tends to suit jewelry marketed as an everyday style at a more accessible price point. Most jewelry brands end up offering a mix of both. For a broader look at how plating fits into the full range of silver jewelry types, see our guide on the different types of silver used in jewelry, and for tips on preventing tarnish across any finish, see does 925 silver tarnish and how to prevent it.
FAQ
Which lasts longer, rhodium plating or gold plating?Rhodium plating is generally more durable and corrosion-resistant, typically lasting around a year with regular wear before needing re-plating. Gold plating's lifespan varies more, depending on the thickness of the layer and how it's cared for.
Is rhodium plating hypoallergenic?
Yes. Rhodium plating is nickel-free, which makes it a common choice for jewelry aimed at customers with sensitive skin or nickel allergies.
Can gold plating be used on any base metal?
Yes. Gold plating can be applied to a range of base metals, including nickel, stainless steel, and copper, using an electrochemical or chemical plating process.
What's the minimum thickness for jewelry to be called gold plated?
The gold layer needs to be at least 0.175 microns thick for a piece to be classified as gold plated.
Should I stock rhodium plating, gold plating, or both?
Most successful jewelry brands stock both. Rhodium suits everyday and children's pieces where durability and sensitive skin matter most, while gold plating suits styles marketed for their warm, gold-toned look at an accessible price.
Whichever finish fits your brand, ELF925 manufactures both rhodium plated and gold plated wholesale silver jewelry in-house, so you can stock the finishes your customers want without switching suppliers.
