Gold, Rose Gold, and Black Rhodium Plating

Everything you need to know about Plated 925 Sterling Silver

If you have questions like;

  • What does gold/rose gold plated mean in 925 sterling silver jewelry?
  • What does black rhodium plating mean in 925 sterling silver jewelry?
  • What does gold/rose gold washing mean in 925 sterling silver jewelry?
  • What is the difference between gold/rose gold plated and solid gold/rose gold?
  • Does gold/rose gold plated or black rhodium plated mean fake?
  • Is electroplated gold real gold?
  • Is electroplated black rhodium real rhodium?
  • How thick is gold/rose gold plating?
  • How thick is black rhodium plating?
  • Does gold/rose gold plated 925 sterling silver jewelry tarnish?
  • Does black rhodium plated 925 sterling silver jewelry tarnish?
  • Will gold/rose gold plating or black rhodium plating wear off?
  • Is gold/rose gold plated and black rhodium plated 925 sterling silver jewelry hypoallergenic?
  • What are the benefits of gold/rose gold plating?
  • What are the benefits of black rhodium plating?

Then you're in the right place!

 

Gold plating is a metal coating process that has been used since the early 1800s to create beautiful jewelry. Gold plating is one of the most popular metal coating methods, providing a luxurious look without the hefty price tag. In this guide, we'll look at what gold plating is, how to do it, and what you should know about it. So if you've been thinking about incorporating some of our gold plated pieces into your life but still have some questions, read on to learn everything there is to know about gold plating!

Black rhodium plating is also a metal coating process but has been around since the 1900s. Firstly, rhodium is a rare and precious metal between 2 and 15 times more expensive than gold. Rhodium is a member of the platinum metal group that is silver-hued, highly durable and reflective, harder than gold and does not tarnish or corrode. Because of these qualities, it is often used to plate silvery metals like 925 sterling silver. Now that you know what rhodium is, black rhodium is simply rhodium with ink bound to its metal particles, making it black.

 

1) What does gold/rose gold plated mean in 925 sterling silver jewelry?

In our case, gold/rose gold plated means that the jewelry is a 925 sterling silver base metal plated with a thin layer of gold/rose gold. The thickness of the gold/rose gold layer varies by company and price but is typically between 0.5 and 2.5 microns thick. Electroplating is the most common method used to create gold/rose gold plated 925 sterling silver jewelry. In electroplating, an electric current passes through a solution containing gold/rose gold ions. In this process, the ions are attracted to the 925 sterling silver jewelry piece, which causes them to bond with the surface of the 925 sterling silver base metal. The result is a thin, even layer of gold/rose gold over your 925 sterling silver jewelry piece.

 

2) What does black rhodium plating mean in 925 sterling silver jewelry?

Similar to gold and rose gold plated, black rhodium plated (in our case) means that the jewelry is a 925 sterling silver base metal plated with a thin layer of black rhodium. The thickness of the black rhodium layer varies by jewelry piece and company but ideally is between 0.75 and 1.0 microns. While that may not seem like a lot, it is actually just right because if the plating is too thick, it will crack due to rhodium's brittleness. Same as gold and rose gold, the electroplating method is used to create black rhodium plated 925 sterling silver jewelry. In electroplating, an electric current passes through a solution containing black rhodium ions. In this process, the ions are attracted to the 925 sterling silver jewelry piece, which causes them to bond with the surface of the base metal. The result is a thin, even layer of black rhodium over your 925 sterling silver jewelry piece.

 

3) What does gold washing mean in 925 sterling silver jewelry?

In our case, gold/rose gold washing means that the jewelry is a 925 sterling silver base metal plated with a very thin layer of gold/rose gold. The thickness of the gold/rose gold layer is considered a wash rather than a plating when the plating is less than 0.5 microns. A gold/rose gold washed piece can be produced through brushing or dipping or can occur when electroplated gold wears off over time. Brushing and dipping are both ways of putting a very thin layer of gold onto a piece of 925 sterling silver jewelry so that it becomes gold washed. The other way a 925 sterling silver jewelry piece can become gold/rose gold washed is when its electroplated gold/rose gold plating wears off and fades over time. 

 

4) What is the difference between gold/rose gold plated and solid gold/rose gold?

Gold/rose gold plated and solid gold/rose gold differ by composition, price, and value.
In our case, gold/rose gold plated means the 925 sterling silver jewelry is coated with a thin layer of gold/rose gold through a process called electroplating. The gold/rose gold layer on the gold/rose gold plated jewelry is between 0.5 and 2.5 microns thick. This type of jewelry is significantly less expensive than solid gold/rose gold jewelry but still closely resembles solid gold/rose gold.
On the other hand, solid gold/rose gold is entirely made of gold/rose gold and is much more valuable than gold/rose gold plated 925 sterling silver. The purity of the gold in solid gold jewelry is measured in karats (ex; 14k or 18k). The higher the karat, the more pure the gold, and the more expensive it is. For example, 24-karat gold is pure gold, while 18-karat gold is 75% gold and 25% other metals.

 

5) Does gold/rose gold plated or black rhodium plated mean fake?

No, gold/rose gold plated is a legitimate, commonly used technique in the jewelry industry. In this case, our 925 sterling silver jewelry is coated in gold/rose gold and is not fake. Our gold/rose gold plated jewelry is made of 925 sterling silver and then coated with a layer of gold/rose gold through a process known as electroplating. The thickness of the gold/rose gold layer can vary, but it is typically a thin layer that gives the item the appearance of being made of solid gold. Gold/rose gold plating is often used as a cost-effective alternative to solid gold, as it provides many of the same aesthetic and functional benefits at a lower cost.

 

6) Is electroplated gold/rose gold real gold?

Yes, electroplated gold/rose gold is real gold. Our electroplated 925 sterling silver jewelry is coated in a thin layer of gold/rose gold to give it an overall gold/rose gold appearance. However, even if it can be mistaken for solid gold/rose gold, it does not contain nearly as much actual gold/rose gold as a solid gold/rose gold piece.

 

7) Is electroplated black rhodium real rhodium?

Yes, electroplated black rhodium is real rhodium. Our electroplated 925 sterling silver jewelry is coated in a thin layer of black rhodium to give it a black appearance. 
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8) How thick is gold/rose gold plating?

Gold/rose gold plating is between 0.5 and 2.5 microns thick. When gold/rose gold plating is less than 0.5 microns, it is called gold washing and is less vibrant than regular gold plating. 
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9) How thick is black rhodium plating?

Black rhodium plating is between 0.7 and 1.0 microns thick to give your 925 sterling silver jewelry a shiny black finish. 
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10) Does gold/rose gold plated 925 sterling silver jewelry tarnish?

Yes, gold/rose gold plated 925 sterling silver jewelry can tarnish over time due to exposure to chemicals, moisture, and other environmental factors. Also, gold/rose gold plated 925 sterling silver cannot rust as there is no iron to oxidize in the first place. 
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11) Does black rhodium plated 925 sterling silver jewelry tarnish?

No! Rhodium is nickel free, so it cannot tarnish. Plus, it is corrosion-resistant and cannot rust. 
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12) Will gold/rose gold plating or black rhodium plating wear off?

Yes, with weathering, chemical exposure, excessive rubbing or washing, the gold/rose gold plating will wear off over time. If all the plating wears off, it will return to the original 925 sterling silver jewelry. 
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13) Is gold/rose gold plated and black rhodium plated 925 sterling silver jewelry hypoallergenic?

Yes, all three are 100% hypoallergenic as they do not contain any allergenic materials like nickel or copper. Even if the plating wears off, you're protected on all sides because 925 sterling silver is hypoallergenic.
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14) What are the benefits of gold/rose gold plating?

  • Aesthetic Appeal: Gold and rose gold plating adds a beautiful, lustrous appearance to your 925 sterling silver jewelry. It enhances its visual appeal, giving it a high-end, luxurious look. 
  • Corrosion Resistance: Gold and rose gold are noble metals, so naturally, they do not easily react with chemicals and therefore do not oxidize. As they are noble metals, gold and rose gold plated jewelry is more resistant to tarnish, rust, and discoloration. 
  • Cost Effectiveness: Gold and rose gold plating over 925 sterling silver are a much more affordable alternative to solid gold and rose gold jewelry. The plating allows you to enjoy the aesthetic appeal and elegance of gold without the higher cost of pure gold jewelry.
  • Hypoallergenic Properties: Gold and rose gold plated 925 sterling silver jewelry are 100% hypoallergenic and will not cause any skin irritants. Even the people with the most sensitive skin are unlikely to experience skin irritation with our gold and rose gold plated 925 sterling silver jewelry.

 

15) What are the benefits of black rhodium plating?

  • Aesthetic Appeal: Black rhodium plating adds a glossy, black finish to your 925 sterling silver jewelry. Black rhodium plating gives your 925 sterling silver jewelry a chic, edgy look to match your individual style.
  • Corrosion Resistance: Black rhodium is a noble metal part of the platinum family, so it does not easily react with chemicals. Plus, as a noble metal, it does not oxidize and is more resistant to tarnish, rust, and discoloration. 
  • Hypoallergenic Properties: Black rhodium plated 925 sterling silver jewelry is 100% hypoallergenic and cannot cause skin irritation. Even the people with the most sensitive skin are unlikely to experience skin irritation with our black rhodium plated 925 sterling silver jewelry.