Essay Three: White Precious Metals
Ever wonder why your White Gold does not look so white after awhile? Or why your stunning platinum engagement ring now looks dull? Or why your high end Silver bracelet that may or may not have come in a little blue box is now tarnishing? There is one simple explanation for all these phenomenas! Read on and you’ll find out why…
One of the most interesting (at least to me!) things about jewelry made in any white metal is that almost all of them are dipped in White Rhodium. This process initially began in the 1930´s. What this means is that with the naked eye looking at three identical rings one made in Silver, another in White Gold and third in Platinum there would be virtually no visual difference between them.
However once you picked them up and felt them then there would be a substantial difference! This would be because the ring in Platinum would be 20% heavier than ring in 18k (750) white gold and the 18k(750) white gold ring would be almost twice as heavy as the Sterling Silver ring. This is because Platinum is more dense than Gold and Gold is much more dense than Silver.
18k Natural White Gold rings with Green, Champagne, Cognac and White Diamonds
18K White Gold ring dipped in White Rhodium with Green, Champagne, Cognac and White Diamonds.
The reason these metals are dipped in Rhodium differs greatly. Inherently Platinum is not a particularly shiny metal when polished. So to give it a really bright shine it is dipped in White Rhodium. 18k (750) White Gold on the other hand naturally because it’s Gold has a noticeable yellowish hue to it so pieces of jewelry made in White Gold are dipped in White Rhodium to give them that bright white finish.
Although sometimes for design or artistic purpose they are not dipped in White Rhodium as is the case with the Alchemy rings above. Alternatively Silver does have a white finish when it’s polished but not bright white as well as it will tarnish over time so often silver jewelry is dipped in White Rhodium so it will not tarnish and is able to have that bright white finish for a longer period of time.
Natural Platinum Custom Engagement Ring with Center Assher Cut diamond with Round Brilliant Diamond accents.
Platinum dipped in White Rhodium Custom Engagement Ring with Center Assher Cut diamond with Round Brilliant Diamond accents.
Eventually over time the White Rhodium will wear away from any of these metals and their true patina will emerge but if you are like many people and you do not like your platinum dull, your white gold with a yellowish hue or your silver tarnished you can always have your piece polished and dipped again. It should be noted that White Rhodium will usually not wear off earrings and pendants. However it is normally more noticeable and wears off much more quickly for rings and bracelets.
From the soon to be released Alchemy Charm Bracelet Collection, Natural Sterling Silver Bracelet Charms
From the soon to be released Alchemy Charm Bracelet Collection, Sterling Silver Dipped in White Rhodium Bracelet Charms
Although this was a brief essay I hope it gave you insight into White Rhodium and how it is used with jewelry made in White Gold, Silver and Platinum.
On a final note I know we all are lead to believe Gold, Silver and Platinum are the most precious of metals but at the time of writing this Rhodium was trading at $20,000 per ounce while Gold, Silver and Platinum were trading at $1915, $27 and $1010 respectively!