Pure Pearls Glossary
Rhodium Plating
A thin layer of rhodium over silver or white gold, giving a bright white finish that resists tarnish.
Rhodium is a platinum-group metal, extremely hard and highly reflective. It is applied electrolytically in a layer measured in microns.
It stops silver tarnishing and is what gives white gold its white colour, since white gold on its own is faintly yellow.
The plating wears through eventually at points of friction, particularly on rings. Re-plating is routine and inexpensive.
When you are buying
Treat rhodium as a finish with a service life, not a permanent property. Ask whether the piece can be re-plated before buying anything you intend to keep for decades.
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925 Sterling Silver
An alloy of 92.5% silver with 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The international standard for silver jewellery.
Gold Plating
A thin layer of gold deposited over a base metal. Gives the colour of gold at a fraction of the cost, and wears off over time.
Micron Plating
The thickness of a plated layer, in thousandths of a millimetre. The single number that determines how long a finish lasts.
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