Rhodium Plating Machine For Jewelry
Rhodium is a precious metal that belongs to the platinum family. As evident by the name, rhodium plating involves plating jewelry with rhodium. Rhodium is highly sought after for plating because it is a strong surface that protects against scratches while offering a white reflective appearance that is the trademark of rhodium. Rhodium is generally used with white gold jewelry but is often plated on silver and similar metals. The process is sometimes known as rhodium flashing or rhodium dip.
Why use a rhodium plating machine?
Rhodium plating can vastly improve the durability, reflectivity, and luster of any piece of jewelry. Since rhodium’s hardness is high, it can resist scratches better than other materials. A rhodium plating machine is usually used on silver colored metals including silver, palladium, and white gold. The general thickness of a plating done by a rhodium plating machine is 0.75 – 1 micron.
How long does rhodium plating last?
People assume that with a rhodium jewelry plating machine, the plating will remain forever. However, that is far from the case. Just like all other metals, it tends to gradually wear off from exposure to wear and tear. Eventually, the plating will need to be redone. Generally, this will need to be done between 12 to 18 months after the initial plating. This is, of course, dependent on a range of reasons including the wear and tear, color of the base metal, and the thickness of the plating. The wearer’s body chemistry can be a factor in how soon rhodium plating will wear off. If the base material isn’t similar in appearance to rhodium (for example, like yellow gold), the base metal’s color will bleed by the end of a year.
How thick must the rhodium machine plating be?
The ideal thickness of rhodium plated with a rhodium machine is between 0.75 – 1 micron. On paper, this looks very thin but it is appropriate for jewelry - like rings - that are often exposed to harsh wear and tear. If it is jewelry – such as a pendant or earring - that is not worn frequently or exposed to much wear and tear, a thickness between 0.1 – 0.5 micron is better. If the thickness of the rhodium exceeds the above values, it will crack. This is because rhodium is very brittle. If it is too thin, the final result will look discolored and unsightly. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you have the right thickness before plating in a rhodium machine.
Can you plate gold with a jewellery rhodium machine?
Yes, gold can be plated with a jewellery rhodium machine. A jewellery rhodium machine can be used on yellow gold or white gold to change the color to white. However, do note that when the plating wears off over time, the yellow of the gold will start to show. To avoid this, re-plate the jewelry on a regular basis.
What is the process of using a jewelry rhodium plating machine?
A jewelry rhodium plating machine uses electroplating to plate rhodium on to the base metal. For this to be done successfully, the jewelry must first be cleaned in order to remove dirt and dust. If there is any dust or dirt on the base metal, the plating will not hold. The cleaning can be done in several ways. Some common methods include using electro cleaning, steam cleaning, or cleaning with distilled water. Finally, a positive electrical charge is used to plate the rhodium to the jewelry. The user must be careful to use the correct current. If the charge is in excess, the plating will turn black. The plating procedure takes approximately 90 minutes from start to end.
What is the price of a jewellery rhodium machine price?
The jewellery rhodium machine price can vary. They are often more expensive than other plating machines but you can find budget options that are more affordable. Due to this, it is difficult to give an exact rhodium plating machine price. Since rhodium is very rare and expensive, plating jewelry with rhodium can be expensive. To re-plate a white gold ring, it will cost a consumer about $5. However, this varies depending on the jewelry size, the skill of the craftsman, and the quality of the rhodium used.One issue that many people face is that it is an ongoing cost because rhodium needs to be re-plated every year or so. Due to this, some people opt for jewelry like platinum which is also white and lustrous, thus does not require plating. However, platinum has its own maintenance costs. Do browse the wide range of rhodium plating machines available at Alex Makina and you are sure to find the perfect machine for your price point.