How to Care for Rhodium Plated Jewelry

How to Care for Rhodium Plated Jewelry
An article by Candace W. from associatedcontent.com

My engagement ring and wedding band are two toned with white and yellow gold which I love. The white gold has a rhodium plated finish to give it a brilliant shine. Rhodium, a member of the platinum family, is a precious metal. Because it is silvery white and highly reflective it is often used to plate jewelry.

Jewelers often use rhodium plating as a finish on silver, white gold and platinum jewelry. It gives the jewelry a brighter finish. It’s hypoallergenic so it won't turn your skin green. If you have yellow gold jewelry you can also have it rhodium plated for a new look. If you change your mind it can be removed.

I found out early wearing my engagement ring that rhodium plating has a tendency to wear over time. Fortunately for those of us that have rhodium plated jewelry we can have it replated. If the rhodium plating finish wears and how fast is wears depends on the type of metal that is plated and how well and how thick the plating was applied. It also depends on how much the jewelry is worn and how you care for it.

Here is a guideline for taking care of your rhodium plated jewelry:

Keep your jewelry clean with a mixture of mild detergent and a little water. Rinse it well and dry. You can also clean it with a polishing cloth.

Do not clean your rhodium plated jewelry in chemical cleaners such as jewelry dips. Some sonic jewelry cleaners also use chemicals. It can wear the rhodium plating off more quickly. I made this mistake and have since stopped using my sonic jewelry cleaner to clean my bridal set. Instead I steam clean my rings. Another option is to use a sonic jewelry cleaner with water.

Avoid rubbing your jewelry against surfaces. If you're going to be doing a lot of work with your hands, you'll want to remove your rings during that time. This goes for when you're doing tasks such as heavy cleaning and yard work.


If you wear your rhodium plated jewelry for significant periods of time, it is bound to wear eventually. To restore its bright white and gleaming appearance you can have it replated. If you want to have a piece of jewelry replated, take it to a reputable jeweler. It costs about $25 depending on the jeweler. Some jewelry stores offer warranties with their rhodium plated merchandise that include rhodium replating. This is well worth it if you wear your jewelry every day or often. Particularly rings.

Now that you know the steps for caring for your rhodium plated jewelry you can maintain its brilliant shine.