Black Rhodium Plating, Adding that "Pop" to your Jewelry!
White Gold, Hand Engraving and Black Rhodium Engagement Ring
Rhodium is a very rare, naturally occurring member of the platinum group of metals - making it a very deluxe metal!
Rhodium is actually one of the most expensive of the precious metals. The price of rhodium can fluctuate, but generally an ounce of rhodium can go for roughly $2,500 dollars!
It’s extremely tough, able to resist corrosion and scratches. It’s silvery color and highly reflective nature also make it "pop!" It is because of this toughness and highly reflective nature that rhodium makes an excellent plating material.
What Exactly is Black Rhodium Plating?
On the Left, a Black Plated Finished Heart Ring. On the Right a Yellow Gold Heart Ring of the Same Design.
I asked a few people who do black rhodium plating how black rhodium is created from regular white rhodium.
The amount of non-answers I got was most interesting, from "if I tell you I have to kill you," to "they add a chemical and then it turns black."
"Gee thanks guys. I feel so informed!" So I'll tell you about plating and we'll just admire the black version for its wonderful look. OK?
All About Plating!
Jewelry plating is covering one metal surface with a very thin layer of another. I go over the plating process in my blog "Gold Plating Jewelry Explained – How Plating Renews Your Old Jewelry."
Why I Love Black Rhodium Plating, and Why You Should Too!
Rose Gold Wedding Band with Norwegian Rosemaling Engraving, Finished with Black Rhodium
When I was introduced to black rhodium it was an exciting time. This particular finish allowed me to design in a completely different way.
I felt like ropes that had tied me were cut away. Clients of mine that wanted a really different feel for their design were the first to help me celebrate with the antique tone that created such a different look.
When I started using hand engraving in my designs years ago I felt that same excitement. But with black rhodium there's just something so "rock n' roll" and slightly misbehavin' about it. I just love that!
How Black Rhodium Sets off Your Gemstones
Yowah Opal and Champagne Diamonds Pendant with Black Rhodium
Just check out this rockin' pendant! When my client came in with the Yowah opal, I knew we had a design challenge on our hands.
White diamonds were too bright as an accent and overwhelmed the subtle detail of her opal. I wanted to use champagne diamonds, but when set in bright gold their delicate color tone was overwhelmed and they no longer looked champagne colored.
The dark rhodium created shade, if you will, to let the diamonds subtly glow. It let the opal look like the star of the piece that it was meant to be. Without the dark rhodium this project would be disappointing. Instead it is unique and it works.
Is Your Ring a Candidate for Black Rhodium?
Black Rhodium Deepens the Engraving Look
The black rhodium look is awesome, but unfortunately, black rhodium will wear off a bit more quickly than white rhodium.
This is especially true on rings that are worn daily and are simple, smooth and shiny.
That plain white gold shiny gold band you're wearing that you'd like to spice up with black rhodium? Uh, no. That won't fly a bit.
Black Rhodium Changes the Whole Look of This Design
The thing that helps make black rhodium "stick" to your jewelry is a textural element.
If your ring design has engraving or some three dimensional texturing on it, then it is a candidate for black rhodium.
Smooth rings don't have anything for the rhodium to "hang on" to, so it will wear away faster.
What About Black Rhodium for Your Earrings and Pendants?
French Clip Bold Style Earrings Jazzed up With a Bit of Black Rhodium Finish
For a more lasting plating try it on your earrings and pendants. I suggest this because they don't get the frequent hand washing that rings get. Any plating will last longer when worn gently.
What do You do When it Starts Wearing off?
Fortunately, re-plating rhodium or black rhodium on your jewelry is easily done. Like waxing your car. It looks amazing, but it does need maintenance to stay shiny and beautiful.
Black treatment will cost more than white rhodium.
This is because often after the black plating is done, your jeweler will take the time to polish some of it away to create a bit more definition and lighter darker contrast. And the prep and steps for black plating are more extensive than with white rhodium.
Any time your black ring is sized, the black rhodium will need to be redone, because it is heat sensitive. Thus sizing a black finished ring will cost more. But, it is so worth it to have such a unique finish.
What is the Cost of Black Plating my Ring?
The cost to black rhodium plate an average ring with no complex issues would be between $75.00 and $120.00.
I say give it a try and see how you like the look.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla Gold
Want to Know More About Rhodium Plating?
Rhodium Plating; Like Coloring Your Hair, Only for Jewelry!
The Kiss of Night for Your Jewelry – Using Oxidation, Black Rhodium and Black Enamel
Dear Calla, I’ll tell you how black rhodium is made and I don’t have to kill you because I’m in metals and it’s no big secret in my workshop. What is black rhodium? Black rhodium is a regular rhodium plating solution that is intentionally contaminated with tin sulfate, tellurium oxide, and arsenic trioxide at very low percentages but enough to make it plate a uniform black color instead of the original elemental color of bright silver/white. There is no such thing as black rhodium just like there is no such thing as white gold. Both elements must be contaminated/alloyed with… Read more »
Dear Tyler,
Thank you for sharing the chemical secret that gives me the delicious black rhodium.
I do not agree that white gold is bleached gold. Just sayin’. I can tell that you have your opinions about how things are made and that’s cool. I like the term alloyed over contaminated, which makes me think of the CDC coming in with environmental suits and all that.
I agree with you that black rhodium looks amazing next to diamonds, especially black diamonds.
Digging the chemical info,
Calla Gold
Hi Calla,
I liked Tyler’s comment and the addition of the secret formula for black rhodium.
Thanks for so many examples of black rhodium finishes on rings and the earrings. It really helps me to visualize how black rhodium might work for me.
That black rhodium ring with the hand engraving and the rubies is so beautiful. I’d wear that ring…. in a minute!
Hello Tracey,
Thanks for letting me know that helped. Do visualize how black rhodium could change up the look of your jewelry. I find it refreshing and updating to add black rhodium to some of my clients pieces that need a bit of goosing to give them a new look.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
Hi. I want to do a ring with no engravings, with diamonds. Basically like a black men’s eternity ring. I want the black to be shiny. Should I go with black rhodium, black enamel, or black polished titanium?
Hi Jay, Black rhodium will wear off. So as an eternity band usage I wouldn’t recommend it. Black enamel can chip if it gets direct hits so again as an eternity band that is a non-starter. I do not deal with titanium so I cannot speak to black titanium and how that finish is created. I’d guess that black ceramic would be what you’d want to use. If this is for a wedding band you might want to read an opinion about it: https://www.callagold.com/wedding-rings/dont-buy-titanium-or-tungsten-wedding-bands/ And just so you know I’m having some issues with my site. If you can’t get… Read more »
Hello Calla,
Just for verification from J. Tyler’s comments, “There is no such thing as black rhodium just like there is no such thing as white gold.” And your follow up, “I do not agree that white gold is bleached gold. Just sayin’.” J. Tyler did not say that white gold is bleached gold in any way. J. Tyler is correct, there is no such thing as white gold, it is created from yellow gold.
The black rhodium makes for gorgeous creations!
K. Parks
Hi K,
Thanks for coming by and adding your voice to the conversation.
Tyler mentioned bleached metal in his comment.
I was responding to that mention. True he didn’t say white gold, but I guessed that’s what he meant.
Even through white gold is yellow gold with white metal alloys making it look white I am comfortable calling it white gold.
I agree with you that black gold makes beautiful creations.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
Can you only do black rhodium plating on gold? I love the look of “black gold” but the engagement ring that we decided on is platinum with a green diamond center stone. I absolutely love it and it is gorgeous the way it is, but when we first started looking at rings I was really drawn to the uniqueness of the black plating and how it made colored stones seem to pop even more. Would black rhodium plating be something I could still do with a platinum ring?
Hello Emily,
I do black rhodium plating on platinum. Know that it is not a true black, but more dark grey. You noticed correctly, that colored gemstones really pop when next to the black rhodium finish.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
Take gold and make it look like cheap not-gold? Facepalm WTF FAIL!
Hello Dan,
With the interest in vintage styles and alternate looks in jewelry lately there has been a heightened demand for different looks and finishes in my jewelry design practice.
In this blog post I share three methods I use in adding a darker finish on my jewelry designs:
https://www.callagold.com/custom-jewelry-design/the-kiss-of-night-for-your-jewelry-using-oxidation-black-rhodium-and-black-enamel/
I do not share your view of what the end look of using these special finishes are. If they are not to your taste, by all means avoid them.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
BTW there is no such thing as the “platinum group of metals” its a group 10 transition metal just like nickel. Do you want a ring made of nickel?
Hello Dan, Here is a quote from the definition of rhodium on wikipedia: Rhodium is a chemical element with symbol Rh and atomic number 45. It is a rare, silvery-white, hard, and chemically inert transition metal. It is a member of the platinum group. It has only one naturally occurring isotope, 103Rh. Naturally occurring rhodium is usually found as the free metal, alloyed with similar metals, and rarely as a chemical compound in minerals such as bowieite and rhodplumsite. It is one of the rarest and most valuable precious metals. Rhodium is a noble metal, resistant to corrosion, found in… Read more »
Yes there is. The platinum group metals are the 6 metals iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum of course, rhodium, and ruthenium, all of which have similar chemical and physical properties.
So, if I understand, you thought that, because you personally didn’t know about this, that it couldn’t exist?
Hi. I have a small jewelry co. And the bench man I use says he is not good with Black rhodium plating does anyone know where I can get it done with the proper micron thickness??? Thanks in advance for the help.
Hello Brian,
Would you comment again and let us know where you are located? Would you be willing to mail pieces to the right black rhodium plating service provider?
You might also ask your question on the MJSA Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America discussion board on LinkedIn. You have to get permission to join the group, but we discuss lots of technical things and have a lot of jewelry makers on there. People do ask for referrals and get responses.
Best of luck,
Calla Gold
I would like to get in contact with you about getting a black gold ring I have replated..it’s been hard finding someone to do this thank you
Hi Richard,
I’d be happy to be in contact and help you with black rhodium plating your ring. You may call me at 805-963-4157 or email me at callagold@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
Hi–I just have a question. Does black rhodium adhere/last better on 14 K or 18 K gold?
Thanks,
Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
It’s not the karat that determines how black rhodium holds on, but the detail and nooks and crannies that the black rhodium has to hold on to. Also how much the jewelry is in contact with skin, sweat, water, soap and other chemicals, rubbing; like on towels, scratching and the acidity level of the person’s PH, which is in contact with the jewelry.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
Hello,
Do you know any company that turns sterling silver in to black rhodium?
Hi Christopher,
Your silver ring will always be silver, but it can be black rhodium plated, or oxidized to darken it. I do this service. Feel free to contact me.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
I’d agree that Black Rhodium should not be applied to a wedding band or everyday ring. It wears off extremely fast.
I’m taking my wedding band back to my jeweler’s shop every 2 months, dropping it off to be replated and getting it back half a month later….only to repeat that cycle.
It is getting to the point, I’m honestly looking at getting a second wedding band for everyday use and using this one as a special events only band.
Dear Brian,
Your story is a fantastic true story of what can happen when a ring isn’t really a candidate for black rhodium. I’m guessing it is high polished as opposed to textured which holds the plating much better.
Your solution sounds like a smart one. I’m sorry you have to do that.
Thank you for sharing this.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla