Luna Pearl Chain Necklace
£201.59
Wise Owl Pearl Necklace
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Ethereal Pearl Drop Earrings
£53.09
Pearl Halo Studs
£53.09
Rhodium-plated sterling silver pieces from our collection
If you have ever admired the crisp, mirror-bright white of a white gold ring or a piece of sterling silver, you have almost certainly been looking at rhodium. It is one of the quiet heroes of the jewellery world — rarely mentioned on the label, but responsible for a lot of that clean, high-shine finish. Here is what it actually is and why so many pieces have it.
What is rhodium?
Rhodium is a rare, precious metal from the platinum family. It is naturally bright silvery-white, extremely hard, and highly resistant to corrosion and tarnish. It is far too costly and brittle to make whole pieces of jewellery from, so instead it is applied as an ultra-thin outer layer over another metal — a process called rhodium plating (a type of electroplating).
Why white gold and silver get plated
Two reasons, one cosmetic and one practical.
Colour. White gold is not naturally the bright white most people picture; on its own it can look slightly warm or greyish, because it is still gold underneath. A rhodium layer gives it that clean, brilliant white finish. Sterling silver is naturally white but can look a little softer; rhodium adds extra brightness and a reflective, almost mirror-like surface.
Protection. Rhodium is very hard and does not tarnish, so the layer also shields the metal beneath. On sterling silver in particular, a rhodium finish slows down the tarnishing that silver naturally develops over time, meaning less frequent polishing.
The honest catch: it wears
Because rhodium is only a thin surface layer, it gradually wears away with daily use — friction from skin, clothing, cleaning and general handling all take a tiny toll. On a frequently worn ring you might notice, after a year or two, a slightly warmer or duller tone showing through at the high-contact points. This is completely normal and not a fault. The fix is simple: a jeweller can re-plate the piece, restoring it to like-new. Earrings, pendants and necklaces, which get far less friction than rings, keep their finish much longer.
How to make rhodium plating last
The same gentle habits that protect any plated jewellery apply here: put jewellery on last, after perfume, lotion and hairspray; take it off before showering, swimming, exercising and sleeping; wipe it with a soft, dry cloth after wearing; and store pieces separately so they do not rub or scratch. Crucially, avoid abrasive polishes and chemical silver dips on rhodium-plated pieces — they can strip the very layer you are trying to protect. For more, see our guides on why sterling silver tarnishes and cleaning jewellery at home.
In short, rhodium plating is the reason so much white-metal jewellery looks so bright and stays looking good with little effort. Knowing it is there — and that it can be refreshed — means you can enjoy that shine for many years.