topic Re: Black Rhodium in Jewelry

Black Rhodium

spend4zen — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 20:05:13 GMT

Am I the only one who is tired of seeing black rhodium used to darken gemstone's and colored diamonds on QVC? This trend is getting old and going the way of Bronzo, in other words, seriously overdone!! All this dose is hide the flaws on bad stones or darken them to the point of not being there natural color. I won't pay the prices that some of these peices are listed at for hidden flaws and dull stones. Please stop making so many of these darkened gem pieces.

Re: Black Rhodium

PINKdogWOOD — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 20:10:46 GMT

@spend4zen I've always been against the black rhodium and gems. I don't like the look at all and would not have any of it. IMO it takes so much away from the color of the stones. It gives false impressions of the true stone color.

No, never liked the look.

Bronzo is way overdone as well

Re: Black Rhodium

ValuSkr — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 21:52:55 GMT

Antonella said it only accelerated the process, that the diamonds in question would turn that color anyway in a million years, give or take. I caught only the end of the conversation, so I hope we're talking about the same thing.

Re: Black Rhodium

AliJoi5 — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 01:41:11 GMT

Hi @ValuSkr - I think you're referring to the irradiation of diamonds to alter their colors. Irradiation is a gem treatment. I believe OP is referring to the plating of metals with rhodium, in this case - black rhodium. Rhodium is in the platinum family of metals. I think rhodium plating can be used to great effect when done properly and on the right pieces. But I agree, it's overdone, especially on sterling items where lesser quality gems are used.

This is a 2.70 ct. white and black diamond 18kwg ring of mine that is plated with black rhodium. IMHO, I don't think this piece would be as interesting without the blackened metal as a backdrop. I call this my "starry night" ring. hee hee

Re: Black Rhodium

Dallas-Dame — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 06:12:14 GMT

@AliJoi5 wrote:
Hi @ValuSkr - I think you're referring to the irradiation of diamonds to alter their colors. Irradiation is a gem treatment. I believe OP is referring to the plating of metals with rhodium, in this case - black rhodium. Rhodium is in the platinum family of metals. I think rhodium plating can be used to great effect when done properly and on the right pieces. But I agree, it's overdone, especially on sterling items where lesser quality gems are used.

This is a 2.70 ct. white and black diamond 18kwg ring of mine that is plated with black rhodium. IMHO, I don't think this piece would be as interesting without the blackened metal as a backdrop. I call this my "starry night" ring. hee hee

Your ring is simply stunning, @AliJoi5! Thanks so much for sharing.

Re: Black Rhodium

LancerHawkFriar — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 15:24:53 GMT

Don't like the black plating at all. If I wanted to wear something that looks tarnished I would just go into my SilverSafe Keeper and pull something out.

Re: Black Rhodium

AliJoi5 — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 16:56:57 GMT

Thanks @Dallas-Dame! The cool part was that my local Ross-Simons decided to go with a different configuration of the ring (everything else being the same), and since this was a one-off sample piece, I received a great price. So even though we all love to shop online, sometimes it's a good idea to pop into our local jewelry store to see what special pricing they might have. Though I'll admit I'm rarely in the right place at the right time myself! Enjoy your weekend!!

Re: Black Rhodium

VegasBusinessWoman — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 17:30:33 GMT

Good on ya, Ali! I love ti hear about getting a good bargain on a good piece of jewelry. And that one is a real beauty!

Re: Black Rhodium

AliJoi5 — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 17:48:34 GMT

Thanks @VegasBusinessWoman!!