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What Is Rhodium?

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov

Rhodium is a silvery-white transition metal that holds the distinction of being the world's most expensive precious metal. It has an atomic number of 45 and is about as nonreactive as gold. The only way to dissolve rhodium is with sulfuric acid. Part of this metal's appeal comes from its high reflectance, almost unique among the metals. It is sometimes used as an expensive and flashy alternative to silver in jewelry, on which it is sometimes plated. Some of the most expensive consumer items in the world are made from rhodium.

This element was discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston, who isolated it from platinum. He named it after the Greek word rhodon, meaning rose, because of the color of the solution of salts. Wallaston was also the discoverer of palladium.

Rhodium is six times more expensive by weight than gold.
Rhodium is six times more expensive by weight than gold.

The price of rhodium is about six times more than gold by weight. It is never found in mineral form, only being found in trace amounts within platinum or nickel ores. 80% of the world's supply comes from South Africa, and world production of the metal is only about 20 tons per year.

Rhodium is a fission product in the decay of the isotope uranium-235, but only about 1% by weight, and most nuclear fuels only contain about 3% uranium-235, meaning only 1% of 3% of nuclear waste consists of this metal. Despite rhodium's great value, the cost of separating it out is generally greater.

Rhodium has an atomic number of 45 in the periodic table of elements.
Rhodium has an atomic number of 45 in the periodic table of elements.

There are 25 known isotopes of this metal in all, most with a half-life of less than an hour. This quantity of isotopes is typical among elements with atomic numbers in this range. Rhodium compounds exist, but not outside of the laboratory. They are highly poisonous.

Rhodium was made famous in 1979 when the Guinness Book of World Records awarded Paul McCartney a rhodium-plated disc to celebrate his status as history's all-time best-selling songwriter and recording artist. This metal is used when other precious metals such as silver, gold, or platinum are considered not enough.

What Is Rhodium Plated?

About 80% of the world's supply of rhodium comes from South Africa.
About 80% of the world's supply of rhodium comes from South Africa.

As previously mentioned, rhodium plating is often used on jewelry. You'll mostly find it on silver and white gold pieces to improve their durability and give them a little extra shine. Also known as rhodium dipping, this method uses electricity to apply rhodium to the existing metal.

The Right Tools for the Job

Rhodium electroplating uses several items: the rhodium itself plus activator and electrocleaner. THe process also requires gold or platinum wire, along with a platinized titanium anode and a stainless steel anode. Eye protection and ventilation are both essential to avoid injury/illness from chemicals and fumes. Before being rhodium-plated, the original jewelry piece to be impeccably clean. Even a small spot of dirt prevents rhodium plating from sticking to the metal.

The Rhodium Plating Process

Rhodium is often used in white gold.
Rhodium is often used in white gold.

The process starts with distilled water, electrocleaner and the stainless steel anode placed in one beaker. Activator powder and distilled water are poured into another beaker. A third beaker contains the platinized titanium anode and the rhodium bath solution. Both beakers are placed onto an electric burner and heated.

Next, a current is applied by an electroplating machine. The machine's positive lead connects to the stainless steel anode in the beaker with the electrocleaner. The negative lead clips onto a hooked gold or platinum wire that will hold the piece of jewelry. This item is suspended from a hook and dipped inside the electrocleaner solution. This removes any remaining debris on the piece.

Before dipping the jewelry in rhodium, it is rinsed in distilled water and then placed into the room temperature activator solution for a few minutes. After rinsing the piece again, the positive lead is connected to the anode in the rhodium bath. The jewelry is then dipped into the rhodium for a short time. Rinsing the piece off for a third time completes the process.

Black Rhodium Plating

Rhodium dipping uses either standard or black rhodium. The latter is a plating solution that also contains three additional metal alloys in trace amounts: tellurium oxide, arsenic trioxide and tin sulfate. Mixed with the rhodium bath, they create a gunmetal gray finish on jewelry instead of the silver-white finish with typical rhodium plating.

Does Rhodium Tarnish?

The Science Behind Tarnishing

Simply put, tarnish results from corrosion. It's a chemical reaction that occurs when metals like copper, aluminum or brass make contact with certain gasses or chemical compounds. While most tarnished metal surfaces exhibit a dull gray or black film, copper is one notable exception: It turns green when exposed to oxygen. Tarnish can protect the metal under the surface, but it can look unattractive depending on the type of metal.

Some precious metals can develop tarnished surfaces. Most gold jewelry isn't made from 24K gold but contains metal alloys for added durability. Pure silver on its own does not usually tarnish, but it's also too soft to use. That's why most commercially sold silver jewelry contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper.

Why Rhodium Does Not Tarnish

Rhodium is a unique metal. It's one of the hardest in existence, rated 6 on the Mohs hardness scale. That's the same as titanium and just below tungsten, which ranks at 7 on the scale. For reference, diamonds have a Mohs rating of 10.

Just because a metal is hard doesn't mean that it's a good candidate for jewelry in its pure form. Rhodium is one example. It's brittle in its native state, able to shatter almost like glass. However, it's an excellent plating for other metals like silver and gold. Besides its brilliance, it also offers more scratch resistance.

Rhodium is part of the platinum group of metals. Clustered together on the periodic table, these elements share some important characteristics: They tend to be chemically stable and have higher melting points. They also don't corrode or tarnish

Is Rhodium Hypoallergenic?

If you've ever had an allergic reaction to a piece of jewelry, chances are good that it contained nickel. Around 10% to 20% of the human population is allergic to nickel. That's because their immune systems see nickel as a foreign invader and respond, often producing red irritated skin and rashes.

Nickel is commonly combined with other metals, especially in costume jewelry. This is done to make the jewelry more durable and less likely to bend or break. For a piece to be hypoallergenic, it must either contain no nickel at all or extremely small amounts. Hypoallergenic metals and alloys include 24K gold, sterling silver, copper, titanium and rhodium.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is rhodium and where is it commonly found?

Rhodium is a rare, silver-white metallic element that is highly reflective and resistant to corrosion. It is typically found in the Earth's crust in minute quantities, often as a by-product of platinum and nickel mining. The largest producers of rhodium are South Africa, Russia, and Canada, with South Africa accounting for the majority of the world's supply.

Why is rhodium so valuable?

Rhodium's value stems from its rarity, high reflectivity, and strong resistance to corrosion. It is also extremely durable and has a high melting point, making it ideal for high-temperature applications. These properties make it essential in automotive catalytic converters, jewelry, and industrial uses. Its scarcity and demand in these industries drive its high price.

What are the main industrial uses of rhodium?

The primary use of rhodium is in the automotive industry, where it serves as a key component in catalytic converters to reduce harmful emissions. Additionally, it is used in the chemical industry as a catalyst for certain reactions, in glass production for its heat-resistant properties, and in the electronics industry for its electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance.

How is rhodium used in jewelry?

In jewelry, rhodium is often used for plating, especially on white gold and silver pieces, to enhance their appearance and prevent tarnishing. A thin layer of rhodium plating can give jewelry a reflective white surface, improving its luster and durability. This plating process also makes the jewelry more scratch-resistant and less prone to discoloration.

Is rhodium environmentally friendly?

Rhodium itself is not harmful to the environment; however, the mining processes to extract it can have environmental impacts. The use of rhodium in catalytic converters actually benefits the environment by significantly reducing vehicle emissions. As with all mining activities, responsible sourcing and adherence to environmental standards are crucial to minimize ecological disruption.

How does the price of rhodium compare to other precious metals?

Rhodium is often the most expensive of the precious metals due to its extreme rarity and high demand in various industries. Its price can be several times that of gold or platinum, depending on market conditions. For instance, in recent years, the price of rhodium has surged to over $20,000 per ounce, surpassing gold by a significant margin.

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov

Michael is a longtime AllThingsNature contributor who specializes in topics relating to paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism. In addition to being an avid blogger, Michael is particularly passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. He has also worked for the Methuselah Foundation, the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and the Lifeboat Foundation.

Learn more...
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov

Michael is a longtime AllThingsNature contributor who specializes in topics relating to paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism. In addition to being an avid blogger, Michael is particularly passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. He has also worked for the Methuselah Foundation, the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and the Lifeboat Foundation.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon62656

I have an old pair of salt and pepper shakers from the quaker silver co. That are marked rhodium plated are they expensive? Thanks alexis

anon39101

I have a bracelet and ring purchased in Athens. The ring is fine, but the bracelet links are cracking and breaking A jeweller said it is Rhodium. Hard to fix. Are there different grades of rhodium? It was a hand made set. No problem with color like Dawn's ring, but want to find out more. --Cass

anon17613

I think the solution you are talking about is when it is being electroplated again. For those that may not know, electroplating is when an object is put into a chemical solution and small particles of another metal are transferred (with the use of electricity) to the other object. This puts a very thin layer of one metal over top of the other to give it the look of the expensive metal. You can do electroplating at home but I really don't think it would be worth it. I think the chemicals are smelly and dangerous and buying a hunk of Rhodium to leech the particles off of would cost way too much (over five grand an ounce these days). My description of the process may not be accurate but you get the idea.

dawn

I have a ring which needs to be dipped in rhodium solution every so often as the silver like color seems to disappear and the goldish color starts showing through. The ring is 18 carat white gold. Do you know if I can purchase this solution and ask why they would use this chemical on the ring if it wears off?

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    • Rhodium is six times more expensive by weight than gold.
      By: Piotr Pawinski
      Rhodium is six times more expensive by weight than gold.
    • Rhodium has an atomic number of 45 in the periodic table of elements.
      By: Javier Castro
      Rhodium has an atomic number of 45 in the periodic table of elements.
    • About 80% of the world's supply of rhodium comes from South Africa.
      By: Loic LE BRUSQ
      About 80% of the world's supply of rhodium comes from South Africa.
    • Rhodium is often used in white gold.
      By: pattarasiri virayasi
      Rhodium is often used in white gold.