# Rhodium

> Rhodium is a bright, very hard white metal of the platinum group, used as a plating on white gold and silver to add shine and protection.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/rhodium/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-09-17
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/rodio/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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Rhodium is a precious metal of the platinum group, very bright, reflective and corrosion-resistant. In jewelry it is almost never used solid: it is applied as an extremely thin layer, by electroplating, over [white gold](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold/), [silver](https://www.711grados.com/en/silver/) and other metals to give them an intense white and protect them.

## Properties

- **Color:** very bright white, slightly bluish.
- **Melting point:** around 1964 °C.
- **Hardness:** high, greater than silver, gold or platinum.
- **Application:** electrolytic plating a few microns thick.
- **Value:** it is one of the most expensive metals in the world.

## Uses in jewelry

- Plating of white gold, which naturally has a slightly yellowish tone.
- Plating of silver to prevent tarnish.
- Black rhodium plating for dark finishes.
- Reinforcing quality costume jewelry.

## Pros and cons

### Advantages

- Gives a bright, even white.
- Protects against tarnish and surface scratches.
- Enhances the look of clear stones like diamond.

### Limitations

- The layer is very thin and wears with use.
- The plating has to be renewed from time to time.
- When it wears off, the color of the base metal shows through.

## Care and cleaning

- Avoid chemicals, chlorine and abrasives, which wear the plating.
- Clean only with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft cloth.
- A jeweler can re-plate the piece when it loses its shine; how often depends on use (for everyday rings it may be every year or two).

## See also

- [Platinum](https://www.711grados.com/en/platinum/)
- [Palladium](https://www.711grados.com/en/palladium/)
- [Gold](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold/)