Noble silver glitter with time fade and black. Thus, the oxidation of copper in the composition of the metal alloy appears. Therefore, the lower than the lower product, the more pronounced Pathina (oxide film) on its surface. The oxidation gives the interaction of chemical elements and sulfur compounds allocated by the human then. For this reason, it is recommended to shoot silver at the time of sports activities. But this does not concern the products covered by Rhodium.
What it is?
Ringing is necessary to protect the metal from mechanical damage and oxidation. Trying to understand the jewelry subtleties, it is important to understand that products from precious metals cover it precisely. Radium is a completely different chemical element that is a product of uranium decay and considered radioactive. In small quantities, it is contained in uranium ore.
This metal is deadly and is not designed to work with decorations.
But the rhodium is absolutely safe and does not cause allergies, What is widely used as a protective layer for products from metals that are worn on the body. The cost of rhodium is several times higher than the price of gold, so there are no jewelry from the rhodium. Thanks to the incredible hardness, the metal is mainly used to cover precious products.
They are covered mainly silver 925 samples and less frequently gold. There is also a birth jewelry in the form of exclusive designer decorations released by a limited series. For production from the segment mass market, the branch is not applied.
The parent procedure is carried out in almost every workshop that carries out the repair and cleaning of jewels. The process is not complicated and long.
Electrochemical application is performed by electroplating. The whole surface of the silver product is evenly covered with a thin layer.
The coated product is protected from external factors, such as contamination, sharp temperature differences, excessive humidity or dry air. Raisses silver stability to damage. The strength of silver objects is strengthened. Metal appears additional shine.
Silver is informed of metal without ligature, which means no impurities in it . Other options are impossible technically. As a rule, the test of the parental silver has a labeling of 925. The coating increases the quality of the thing, but also increases its value. The legislation is spelled out that the parent products are branded according to the samples of those materials from which they are made.
Silver products with rhodium coating are visually a copy of platinum - the most expensive metal used in jewelry production.
The advantages of parental can be classified the possibility of choosing the color of the coating. Gorgeous and at the same time the modern version is to make the birth of black. You can also change the old decoration, giving it novelty with a new color of the coating. But even with the external simplicity of the process and the availability of suitable equipment does not mean at all that each will cope with the application process. Conduct the procedure for parenting at home unreal without proper experience. High risk comprehensively spoil the surface of the decoration.
Composition and properties
Rhodium belongs to the noble metals of the platinum group . Metal does not threaten oxidation and corrosion. It is distinguished by high hardness, 2 times higher than this indicator at platinum and 5 times superior silver hardness.
At the same time, rhodium is rare - only a few tons of metal contains on the entire planet.
By itself, it is not plastic enough to be used in jewelry, but it is ideal for silver and gold as a shelter material.
With coated decorations, it is much longer, protected from patina and playing in the light of a specific glitter. In suitable external conditions, the rhodium coating is capable of reflecting up to 80% of the visible spectrum. At gold, this indicator is only 60%, it turns out, the brilliance of rose is much brighter. The main advantages of rhodium, which prompted everywhere to use it as a coating of jewelry:
- high characteristics of hardness and strength;
- non-tight glitter with time;
- Infertility corrosion.
The standard ring of pure silver after six months of operation is covered with small scratches and needs polishing. For similar Decorations with rhodium coating polishing is not needed for several years after the purchase. Cold white-silver color Rodia strongly resembles platinum. If you have to be placed in the predicted ring of silver and analogue of white gold, it will be difficult to find obvious differences in products. This fact allows you to combine decorations from different metals.
Strength
Rhodes are distinguished by high strength. The decorations covered with this metal becomes more wear-resistant and longer serve the owner. Pobed silver jewels are more resistant to deformations, compared with conventional products. On the Moos scale, the harness is equal to 6.
According to the characteristics of the mineral with a similar hardness, they can scratch the glass and carry out its processing with a file.
In pure gold and silver, the strength indicator is only 2.5. This slightly surpasses the hardness of such material as plaster, which can be easily scratched with a nail.
Comparison with conventional silver
Externally, this metal has a similarity with prestigious platinum and white gold. However, the silver-parent is different from the usual signs. Best metal is better glued. It is possible to determine it by a specific strong radiance under the sunny beams. Pure metal can not boast of glitter, but has a grayish tint.
In comparison with sterling or pure silver, the bought is completely even color and demonstrates special plasticity due to the inclusion of copper in its composition.
The oxidation rate affects the mass fraction of copper in the alloy and the type of skin of the one who wears the decoration.
Giving technology
On an industrial scale, rhodium can be obtained when processing native platinum. The material is obtained, absolutely resistant to the effects of acids with one disadvantage - fragility. Therefore, it is used only as the coating of various metal surfaces.
Rhodium is applied to the metal galvanic method. The anode is an auxiliary product, and the decoration itself acts as the cathode.
As a result, electroplating arises a layer of 0.1-25 microns in thickness.
Before getting to the parenting, the thing needs to be thoroughly polished Otherwise, the coating will only emphasize the existing flaws on the surface. The optimal version is the processing of things immediately after purchase (if this is not done during the production process). At the next stage it is necessary rinse carefully and degrease the product . Then Immerse him in a bath with concentrated sulfate rhodium.
The solution should evenly host the entire surface of the product. After that Through the solution passes an electric current. A chemical reaction occurs, the consequence of which is the allocation of rhodium. It covers the entire area of the product with a thin layer.
You can purchase a solution for self-informing silver in a jewelry workshop or a specialized store.
Application
There are no products from the rhodium in everyday life, since it is difficult to process and melted, while he is default and expensive. But for hardness and shine rhodium in honor not only at jewelers. Rodia covers not only silver jewelry, but also instrument mirrors, reflectors on spotlights, liquid crystal devices, details of nuclear reactors and laser installations.
Features of care
The appointment of the coating of rhodium provides protection for silver from small scratches and devastating natural factors. But also Protected decoration needs leaving and care. The thing should not be contacted with aggressive substances by type of varnishes, their solvents, ammonia, alcohol compositions, cleaning products, including abrasives.
Store parent decorations better in separate cases, avoiding contacting. Decorations need to be removed overnight, before taking a bath and sports.
After applying caring compositions, wait until they are completely absorbed, and only after that wear the product.
The rhodium layer is destroyed by the effects of detergents with aggressive composition - washing powders, soils for washing dishes, etc. In front of hand washing and washing dishes It is recommended to shoot the parent rings and bracelets . Decorations can also spoil contact with alcohol Therefore, their interaction with all alcohol-containing compositions is not allowed.
You can not handle your hands scrub in rings with rhodium spraying. Any abrasive particles spoil the protective layer. When caring for things covered with rhodium, special caring agents for silver cleaning are not suitable. They are allowed to clean only ordinary silver, which does not have any coating.
The rhodium coating also negatively affects contact with then, so decorations with this coating are not for classes in the hall. They should be left in the locker room.
The same applies to hiking in the pool, since Chlorinated water may result in the destruction of the layer of the rhodium.
Products with rhodium apparent need and in proper storage. For this, a standard jewelry box will be consolidated. Use cardboard boxes for storage are unacceptable! All because the composition of the cardboard can be sulfur, and it entails silver oxidation with the loss of its external appeal. If the product is not worn for a long time, it is recommended to be wrapped in flannel.
Even a solid rhodium coating with time begins to wear. You can restore it in any jewelry workshop. The old layer will be professionally removed and in return is new. The product will shine again, attracting attention to its smoothness and the game of light on the snow-white surface.
The technology of rhodium coating was invented precisely to extend the lives of silver jewelry.
Therefore, when buying, the cost of the coating is taken into account, which is already laid in the final price for the product.
Sometimes more benefits in buying conventional silver and the subsequent birth of the product in the workshop.
Fundamental rules
How to clean?
Rhodium to damage is not easy, but perhaps. When The surface of the coating was scratched or a crack appeared, one polishing will not be enough - it will take to completely remove the layer and relative. When breakdown or violation of the integrity of a product covered with rhodium, it will have to restore it again.
Update the rhodium coating is required at least once every 3 years (or every 6 years - depending on the intensity of the exploitation of things).
Antique jewelery or stylized old decoration with rhodium to protect against damage will not be possible. The layer will fall uneven, and the acquired radiance will not be harmonized with an old view of the product.
Considering that Plating a layer of rhodium - the notable procedure Its presence significantly increases the cost of the finished decoration. If a pregnant product with a stone, presented as a precious, needs to ask Hemological certificate At his consultant. This will protect against the acquisition of fake. Also need to make sure that stamps . By law, it is obliged to attend any silver product.
The list of funds suitable for cleaning parent decorations at home is very limited. . Easiest to cook Soap mortar Based on water and thoroughly wash the decorations that need cleaning. Then they have to rinse in clean water and gently, but thoroughly flush with a piece of soft tissue. By the same algorithm, cleaning decorations with phyanites and other gems are occurring. Products need to be cleaned as contamination and periodically carry out a prophylactic goal.
What and what products are repaid looking in the following video.