Rhodium plating is one of the key things of interest for anyone who wears white gold. Often when i find a client whose rhodium plating has worn out within a year, it is because of a few factors. Which if you can help to reduce or eliminate, will prolong the life of your rhodium plating, and keep the ring shining for longer. While this is a short list of the things that you can do to help prolong the rhodium plating, there are things jewellers can do to ensure that your plating lasts more than a year, which i will cover in a future blog.
1. Avoid rubbing the rhodium plating off your ring.
The rhodium plating on a white gold ring is exactly that – a plating or coating. A rubbing motion, like rubbing your hands together, will wear down your plating faster. So if you are in an occupation like nursing or another professional where you need to constantly wash your hands, be mindful of rubbing your hands together. If the rubbing of your hands is unavoidable consider wearing your rings on a necklace around your neck.
2. Avoid heavy cleaning products
Some chemicals may react with the white gold rhodium plating, so if you are dealing with strong chemicals, it is advisable to take off your rings while you are working with them. Another alternative it to make sure that you are wearing suitable gloves to protect your hands and your engagement ring.
3. Metal on metal rubbing
Rings that are loose and constantly spinning, are more likely to wear away the rhodium plating on the inside of the ring. While this may only be a cosmetic effect that you will only see when you take off the rings, it will become noticeable if you don’t put them back on in the same order. If your rings are spinning a lot, it might be time to have your finger size checked and have the rings adjusted.
If you would like a free assessment on the state of the rhodium plating on your white gold ring, bring it in to us, and we’ll also give your ring a complimentary professional clean.