To plate or not to plate

In the UK, most of us are used to thinking of white gold wedding rings as having a bright and shiny appearance. But more and more we see jewellers using non-rhodium plated white gold when they create their collections of white gold wedding rings. When choosing your wedding ring, Element have created this blog post to give you a better understanding of rhodium and hopefully making your choice to plate or not to plate that little bit easier.

From the Platinum Group of metals, rhodium is a rare and expensive precious metal that is naturally very white in colour, inert and therefore non-corrosive. Whilst jewellers cannot use it to create pieces of jewellery due to its non-malleability and incredibly high melting point, it is widely used particularly on white gold wedding rings for two main reasons:

Firstly to change the appearance of your white gold wedding ring. To create white gold, jewellers will add at least one other white metal (usually silver, palladium, manganese, zinc) plus some copper for additional malleability to gold (which is naturally yellow). This creates an alloy of yellow gold that is white-ish in appearance, and can have tinges of yellow, grey or even rose. By electroplating your white gold wedding ring with rhodium, the natural white-gold alloy becomes silvery and reflective in appearance.

And secondly to increase the rings durability. By electroplating your white gold wedding ring with rhodium, you are adding an anti-corrosive layer as rhodium is inherently inert, so in a way your white gold wedding ring is that little bit more durable.

Element sell many beautiful rhodium-plated white gold wedding rings, from a classic profile like this gorgeous Goodman & Morris ring to a slightly more unusual profile like this contemporary tapered ring.

AND FROM ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW

Rhodium plating does wear off over time, and we will always ask our customers if you are happy to have the expense of re-plating your white gold wedding ring perhaps once a year? The typical cost to rhodium plate your white gold wedding ring is around £40-£50.

Most of our jewellers create collections of white gold wedding rings, using a natural white gold alloy that has a higher palladium content. In particular, James Newman enjoys the hazy grey metal tone in his handmade white gold wedding ring. And firm-favourites Niessing include varied and beautiful alloys in their classic white gold wedding ring profiles. Play around with profiles, widths and prices on our website.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Element are open 7 days a week, and you’re always welcome to pay us a visit or give us a call. We’d here to help you begin and complete your quest for your perfect white gold wedding ring.