What is rhodium in jewellery?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
Rhodium is a rare precious metal belonging to the platinum group, valued for its brilliant white colour, high reflectivity and excellent hardness. It is a solid metal at room temperature. In jewellery, rhodium is most often used as a plating material rather than a structural metal, applied in a very thin layer over white gold, silver and platinum to give them an intensely bright, crisp white finish and a little extra scratch resistance. White gold is naturally a pale yellow-white, so it needs rhodium plating to reach the cool white colour seen in jewellery shops.
Frequently asked questions
- Does rhodium plating wear off?
- Yes, rhodium plating wears away gradually over time with friction and contact with skin, soap and chemicals. The rate depends on how thickly it was applied and how much the piece is worn. A ring typically needs re-plating every one to three years, while earrings and pendants last much longer.
- Is rhodium more expensive than gold?
- Rhodium is one of the most expensive metals on earth by weight, frequently trading far above gold. However, because it is applied in such a thin plating layer, the cost of rhodium plating a single piece of jewellery is modest, usually a small service charge.
- Is rhodium safe to wear?
- Yes, rhodium is biocompatible and hypoallergenic, which is partly why it is used to plate white gold, since the alloy metals in white gold can sometimes irritate sensitive skin. The rhodium layer sits between the skin and the alloy.
Designing a ring
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Tell us what you have in mind, even if it is only a budget and a piece of jewellery type, and we will help you weigh up the options. We reply to every enquiry, usually within one business day.
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