Glossary · Materials
Rhodium Plated
Definition
Rhodium plating is a thin layer of rhodium, a metal from the platinum group, deposited by electrolysis onto white gold, silver or brass. It gives a brilliant, hard white and stops oxidation. It's a layer a few microns thick: it wears away where the metal rubs, and needs redoing every few years. Many white gold cases and buckles are rhodium plated; this is why scratched white gold shows a warmer tone underneath.
Frequently asked questions
What is RHODIUM PLATED?
A rhodium coating a few microns thick on white gold, silver or brass: brilliant white, hard, anti-oxidant. It wears with rubbing and gets redone. Rhodium-plated white gold that wears reveals the warmer alloy underneath.
Does a rhodium-plated buckle get damaged with use?
Yes, where it rubs: on the edge of the frame and on the tang the rhodium plating thins out within a couple of years of daily use and the metal underneath shows through. For an everyday strap I prefer a buckle in solid stainless steel; I leave rhodium plating to white gold buckles matched to the case.
How do I match a strap to a rhodium-plated case?
I come across rhodium in the case and the buckle, not at the workbench: I work the leather. The rhodium-plated case is white and brilliant like polished steel but colder: black, grey and blue in alligator or box calf work well. The buckle in the same white: rhodium-plated white gold or polished steel.
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