Keep Out uses only pure silver, one of the most beautiful and shining metals. In order to improve its appearance and durability, a process called rhodium plating is used.

What is rhodium plating?

Rhodium plating is named after a metal called rhodium: it is rare, white, very resistant. It is often alloyed with platinum to increase its hardness. Rhodium is not only very resistant, but also used to make other metals more polished.

However, it is very expensive: its price exceeds the price of platinum and gold.

Rhodium plating consists of a thin layer of rhodium covering the jewel. The minimum layer thickness is 0.1 microns, the maximum is 25 microns. Rhodium is often used to make white gold and, more rarely, silver shine: the process is, in fact, quite expensive. The method of rhodium plating is similar to that used for gold plating: it is a galvanic process. In practice, electricity is used in a bath, in which micro particles of rhodium cover the metal of the jewel with a very thin layer. The result is a much brighter metal.

Why do we use rhodium plating?

Rhodium plating is used to make the jewel shiny, but also because it protects the metal from corrosion and wear, and preserves its original appearance. Finally, rhodium is usually tolerated also by people allergic, for example, to nickel, which has often been used in the past alloyed with gold. Rhodium plating prevents skin from touching the jewel metal.

 Sure, as long as you are not allergic to rhodium…

Storing rhodium plated jewels

As we have written, the rhodium plating process consists of covering the metal with a thin rhodium film. Rhodium is a resistant metal, of course, but everything can wear over time. To preserve the rhodium plating for longer, and therefore to maintain the shine of your jewel, care must be taken not to rub the metal against objects that could scratch it. Furthermore, it is not recommended to clean the metal with aggressive cleaning agents. Instead, use a very soft cloth and simple water, or a toothbrush with soft bristles.