Is base metal real silver?
All cheaper, non-precious metals are called 'base metal'. That includes copper, brass, bronze, pewter, iron, tin, zinc and so on. Precious metal are gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium and a few others. Metals are 'precious' because they are rare (expensive), beautiful etc. A lot of base metal is very beautiful on it's own (I love solid copper and brass/bronze jewelry), but most commercially available base metal jewelry is plated (with gold or rhodium/silver) to look like precious metal. That's where the problems start. The plating wears off after a short while and the base metal starts being visible. If it is pinkish, it is copper. So, as far as I am concerned, you are fine if you buy solid base metal. That way, the base metal is polished and sealed (check out the link below for some shiny copper earrings) and you can clean it to a bright color. It's the plated metal, I would stay away from, especially for a ring.
IS RHODIUM A GOOD QUALITY METAL FOR A RING?
you won't find a pure rhodium ring, rhodium is equally as expensive as platinum. Usually rhodium is used to plate over a different metal, cheap base metal for costume jewelry or silver/white gold to make it shinier. Whatever is plated with rhodium, the plating will wear off eventually. Better to start off with a solid metal like sterling silver. Nothing is going to wear off. But - some sterling silver is also rhodium plated.
What metal do Swarovski use in their jewellery?
Why not listen from the horse’s mouth itself :“Swarovski uses high quality materials for producing their jewelry. The basic metal is silver-, gold- or rhodium-plated, some items are ruthenium- or palladium-plated. The basic metal in general is white alloy or brass.When it comes to gold a 23k gold layer is applied by means of the electroplating technique. Ruthenium, as well as rhodium and palladium, belongs to the platinum precious metals group. These metals are more precious than gold, more durable than silver, as they do not oxidize, nor tarnish.The ruthenium plate must not be confused with Stainless Steel. Ruthenium is a very rare metal. Many positive properties for the production of jewelry like resistance to oxidation, toughness and seductive glamour make it ideal for surface plating. It has a metallic shimmering, but with a darker impression compared with rhodium.Therefore ruthenium is used for an anthracite plating of jewelry. The nickel contents in Swarovski jewelry in Europe is made according to the EU law, therefore our products are anti-nickel-allergenic.”We got this reply from Swarvoski Customer Care .
Is rhodium plating over brass safe for skin?
I'm looking to purchase some jewelry and the base metal is brass with rhodium plating. I read that brass can be like copper and turn the skin colors, so I'm wondering if the rhodium will make sure that my skin doesn't touch the brass and turn it green. Thanks.
Is there such thing as non-tarnish or non fade costume jewelry?
There are many materials that it could be including nickel, rhodium, platinum, gold, plastic, non-tarnish silver (rare but it does exist), stainless steel, or any of a number of other materials. Look for stamps on the piece indicating what it might be. i.e. Pl or Plat is platinum Rh is rhodium 925 is sterling silver (the non-tarnish version is rare but sometimes is plated with rhodium instead) Most probable is the sterling silver or a base metal with a very thick plating of either rhodium if white or gold if yellow.
What is the difference in men's wedding rings metals?
What is the difference between tungsten, titanium, and gold wedding bands? I am interested in knowing what the strength of each of these metals are. Which one holds up better than the others, etc. Please help I can't make a decision on which way to go.
What are the pros and cons of rhodium-plated cufflinks versus (sterling) silver?
Usually, when I hear about rhodium plating it’s typically in the context of a sterling silver object that has been rhodium-plated as an anti-tarnish measure. I’m not sure whether you’re referring to rhodium plated sterling or rhodium plated base metal, so I’ll address both.Rhodium-Plated Base Metal vs. Sterling vs. Rhodium Plated SterlingRhodium Plated Base Metal:Pros:Least ExpensiveDoes Not TarnishCons:No Resale ValueRhodium Plating Will Wear Away to Expose Base MetalSterling:Pros:Holds Resale ValueConsidered TastefulConsistent AppearanceCons:Tarnishes And Will Need To Be Polished OccasionallyRhodium Plated Sterling:Pros:Holds Resale ValueConsidered TastefulRhodium Plating Retards Tarnish While It LastsCons:Most ExpensiveWear To Plating Will Change Appearance
How much does it cost to have a white gold ring rhodium plated?
IF you buy a good quality white gold ring it will not be necessary to have it re rhodiumed on an annual basis. Each metal has its on distinct set of pros and cons. Here is an article that compares platinum and White gold http://www.wightmangoldsmiths.co.uk/plat... This article will hopefully help you make a decision on which metal would be best for you.
Base Metal Chain that Doesn't Change Color?
Chain Chain Chain... Color Changing metal is a battle for anyone using a plated or metal that can tarnish. If you have a customer who sweats a lot or uses a lot of perfume, you might want to suggest to them that they should rise off their jewelry and pat dry before storing the jewelry away. This will help the chain from changing color and gunk from building up in the links. If you have a lot of gold and silver plate, you might consider changing the patina or blackening the chain to change the color. There is a link below with various products to do this. If you are looking for another kind of chain with a lower price point, you might consider getting anodized aluminum chain which comes in different colors. Anodized aluminum is a rather soft metal and can easily scratch, but does not loose it's color. Rhodium plated chains are hypo allergenic and look a lot like silver, but shinier. These might be more expensive though and harder to find. Brass and Copper chain are also inexpensive and can give an antique look to your pieces. Sterling silver can tarnish, but most people know that. Look for thinner/flatter/longer links that are lighter in weight than thick/heavy links. This will save you a bit of money since silver chain is usually sold by weight. Keep it simple since chain price is also effected by how intricate the shapes are. Tell customers to use a little bit of (baking soda) toothpaste to brighten up the silver if it starts to tarnish. Baking soda acts as a neutralizer and can be used with water to make a paste to clean as well. Gold is nice because it does not tarnish. Gold Filled chain is a combination of 14k gold and sterling silver usually. It is a nice alternative to actual gold which is more expensive. It is a bit lighter and may tarnish a bit like sterling, but is not that noticable. If your customer is allergic to metals, they can try painting 4-5 coats of clear nail polish over the metal that touches their skin. This may not be a good idea for the chain though.