How to Clean Rhodium-Plated Sterling Silver Jewelry Pieces
Do you struggle with figuring out how to clean your rhodium-plated jewelry? Are you afraid you'll accidentally use the wrong product or ruin your brand new necklace's shiny finish?
Rhodium-plated sterling silver is becoming more and more popular for its durability, resistance to scratches, and beautiful white shine.
But just like any high-quality jewelry, it needs to be properly taken care of so that it lasts as long as possible.
Luckily, cleaning rhodium-plated jewelry requires only a few simple tools and techniques to keep your jewelry collection looking high-end for as long as possible. Continue reading Helios guide on "How to Clean Rhodium-Plated Sterling Silver Jewelry Pieces".
WHAT IS RHODIUM-PLATED STERLING SILVER?
If you're not quite sure of what rhodium is, you might ask, "Is rhodium-plated sterling silver good?" If you're looking for luxury at an affordable cost, then rhodium-plated jewelry is for you.
Rhodium is a precious metal that comes from the family of platinum. It's durable, reflective, and scratch-resistant, as well as hypoallergenic. It gives a beautiful white sheen to your jewelry and can make gemstones stand out more than plain silver can.
If you're unsure about cleaning rhodium-plated vs sterling silver, then you'll be glad to know that rhodium is easier to clean. Although sterling silver is a common jewelry material, it's well known that it tarnishes upon exposure to air. Even worse, high humidity and moist products like hairspray or perfume speed up the tarnishing process.
Rhodium, on the other hand, doesn't tarnish. It's scratch-resistant, keeps its shine, and doesn't corrode or dent. Best of all, it won't leave your hands green after handling it.
When in doubt, always consult an expert if you're scared that you'll damage your jewelry while cleaning it.
CLEANING PRODUCTS TO AVOID
Before you actually go ahead and start cleaning your rhodium-plated sterling silver jewelry, let's bring up the cleaning products you should avoid using on this jewelry at all costs.
- Harsh chemicals
- Anything abrasive
- Toothbrushes or toothpaste
- Polishing cloths for silver or gold
Harsh chemicals should never be used on your jewelry, whether it's sterling silver or rhodium-plated. Although rhodium is durable against scratches, you don't want to damage the plating by using the wrong materials on it.
SUPPLIES YOU'LL NEED
Don't be alarmed at this list of supplies as most of them can already be found in your home. You may need to get a polishing cloth if you don't have one already, but otherwise, you should have everything in your kitchen cabinet. You'll need:
- Two bowls
- Mild detergent
- A soft towel or a microfiber cloth
- A soft polishing cloth (optional)
If you have multiple pieces of rhodium-plated jewelry to clean, consider waiting to clean them all at once to save time.
Additionally, if you decide to use a microfiber cloth, make sure it hasn't been treated with any chemicals. The goal is to avoid using anything harsh on your rhodium-plated jewelry, whether that's a chemical or an abrasive material.
TREAT YOURSELF TO RHODIUM-PLATED STERLING SILVER TODAY
As you can see, rhodium-plated sterling silver jewelry is durable, beautiful, and easy to maintain, as long as you take the right steps to care for it. When cleaning your rhodium-plated jewelry, always remember to avoid harsh chemicals, don't rub your jewelry too much, and always be gentle. These steps will keep your jewelry looking shiny and brand new for as long as possible.
Are you ready to add some luxurious rhodium jewelry to your collection? From earrings to pendant, please go to Helios to enjoy it.