Rhodium in jewelry: the coating is harmful or not?

After wear any everyday things from the wardrobe, we did not hesitate to replace it with a new one, but is it possible to do the same with the loss presentable Jewelry? Expensive jewelry is often a symbol of certain events in his life, they can not simply be written off, even if lost its appeal. To restore shine, hide scuffs and darkening maintaining the result for many years, recently often used coating jewelry rhodium. What is the process and what it is recommended to know the intricacies of all, described in detail below.

The information about metal

Rhodium is used in jewelry relatively short time. Initially, this was not considered a valuable metal in general, and after the ore processing (extraction therefrom platinum) went directly to the scrap. Valuable properties of this to date, the hardest of the precious metal were discovered only in the early 19th century by William Hyde.

Rhodium belongs to the elements of the periodic system of the platinum group and is very rare in nature. On average, its annual production is only 30 tonnes, with most of the deposits are in South Africa. The small amounts of metal mined in Canada, Russia and Colombia.

The properties of rhodium

Why has spread rhodium in jewelry? The popularity of metal owes its unique properties, superior characteristics of other precious metals. For example, the melting temperature at the rhodium - 1964 degrees, which is exactly 900 higher than that of gold, and in 1003 than that of silver.

Furthermore rhodium coating gives the product extra strength and wear resistance, because the hardness of the metal on the Mohs scale is defined by six units, while the other metals are popular in figure 2 only, 5. Durability coating also determined rhodium and high resistance to chemicals. Oxidation processes in the metal nachiayutsya only when heated above 600 degrees.

By the apparent positive characteristics of the material should also include a nice cold brilliance that remains unchanged for many years.

Why such a noble, beautiful and durable rhodium in jewelry is not used as a basis? The fact that the metal is very fragile and can quickly crack without additional basis of a different material. This occurs even in the repair of certain products coated with rhodium when its fiber portions broken off and then require recoating.

The use in the jewelry industry

Thanks to the many positive characteristics of rhodium demand in many industries, but can be used in reality not all. The main reason for searching similar materials is the usual lack of metal in nature. Demand for it is much greater than the supply. It is impossible to replace the characteristics of rhodium in industries such as the manufacture of temperature sensors, measuring equipment, mirrors, nitric acid and so on.

Rhodium in jewelry applied not only to cover the finished decoration of other metals. Basically, it is used for the artificial cultivation of some precious gems as belonging to a particular filter.

rhodium

That's what is called the process of applying a layer of rhodium to the finished decoration. The coating layer thickness may be 0, 1-25 microns and can be applied even jewelry to give products aesthetics and durability.

Prepared decorations always have cold platinum luster, high strength and durability. Of course, the best rhodium the product before the beginning of his socks, immediately after production. Then the surface decoration will not have physical damage coverage and lie flat. If desired, in a specialized workshop can be given already Used ring or chain.

The process of applying

To cover jewelry with rhodium, it is first necessary to prepare. Decorating polish up until not disappear all traces of its use. After that the product necessarily washed and degreased, and only then placed in the plating bath, where he carried himself rhodium plating process.

In the prepared first capacitance poured special solution containing a positively charged particles of metal salts. The product itself before diving negatively charged. After placing it in a liquid is passed therethrough the electric charge, which provokes different particle attraction to each other. Decoration, being the anode, under the influence of current must completely disappear under the rhodium layer. Depending on exposure time and intensity of the electric charge varies the thickness of the coating layer.

The main element in the process previously performed rhodium salt, but because they are very difficult to produce, over time the substance was successfully replaced with the rhodium in the concentrated sulphate solution. Produce its special coating ornaments in an amount sufficient demand.

The advantages of metal

The main advantages of rhodium jewelry is their persistent cold shine, stored for a long time unchanged. Also, this coating gives the product strength, but many, in addition to the aesthetic characteristics of the metal, interested in the question, there is no harm or rhodium in jewelry because wearing it on your own skin after application have almost constantly. Especially this information is important for those who are prone to allergic reactions, because certain reactions in rare cases, there are even in contact with the noble gold and silver.

where all sensitive lovers of jewelry do not worry, because the rhodium completely hypoallergenic, which has long proved a lot of experience.

Disadvantages cover

The main disadvantage of this metal is its fragility, which does not allow its use directly in the manufacture of jewelry. Of course, even if you do not take into account this fact, the product of rhodium are not made yet and due to its high cost, which is higher than the price of gold ten times. To only cover the rhodium ring or chain, will need to pay an average of 500-1000 rubles, and then this service may not be in every workshop.

Repaired Rhodium product often requires repeated coatings, since the upper metal layer can peel off by mechanical action.

It should also be borne in mind that the coating is applied is very thin, which means that over time with regular use can simply be erased. On average, rings, bracelets and chains are able to maintain the original characteristics within five years, to earrings, this period is already about 10 years old.

Types of coatings

Most often used to impart rhodium noble cold luster white gold, which at high sample still has a yellowish tint. No less popular is to cover the platinum and silver jewelry, as well as some items related to jewelry. The cost of the latter in the presence of rhodium layer will vary between 2 thousand rubles.

Today, thanks to special additives rhodium may complement the jewelry is not only a white luster, but also pink, yellow or golden. There is also a black rhodium.

In jewelry it is used to make jewelry aged appearance or to enhance the brilliance of certain gemstones. Very often, for additional mounting space fortress stones this part of the decoration is covered with rhodium.

Conclusion

So, what jewelry is coated with rhodium, is now clear. Any ring or a bracelet of a metal coating acquires new life and sometimes looks quite differently because of bright luster. For a long time these decorations retain the original appearance. Even with having to re-rhodium few have any doubts about the need for the process.

In order to keep the coating on the jewelry for a long time, it is important to observe basic rules of care products. In some cases, ignoring these recommendations may lead to the fact that the decoration will look even worse than before the application of rhodium. Thus, despite the chemical resistance and strength of the material can be damaged by exposure to abrasive materials, it is recommended to remove during cleaning decoration or any water treatments. For cleaning of the product should use a mild detergent, and best of all - a special cloth for polishing jewelry.