Jewelry

[NickNack]

I noticed that a couple of Bixby pieces are called sterling/18k rhodium.  I'm not sure what rhodium is, even after looking it up.  It sounds as though it's cheapening the pieces.  Almost $600 for a necklace with rhodium.  Does rhodium cheapen the piece?  I'm not interested in buying anything today but am curious about this.

Edited to add:  I just searched again, and it sounds like rhodium plating is expensive.  I'm still interested in comments on this though.

[Penellope]

Rhodium is an expensive metal used to plate white metals in jewelry (white gold, silver and sometimes platinum).  It is used to improve the shine and color, and also to prevent tarnish. It does not cheapen a piece. 

[NickNack]

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@Penellope wrote:

Rhodium is an expensive metal used to plate white metals in jewelry (white gold, silver and sometimes platinum).  It is used to improve the shine and color, and also to prevent tarnish. It does not cheapen a piece. 

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Thanks @Penellope.  I had never heard that before.  I guess that explains the high price for the necklace.

[Penellope]

I think Barbara Bixby's jewelry is just overpriced in general, even with the rhodium. 

[NickNack]

@Penellope   I agree.  I paid $100 for a cross with white topaz when she first brought it.  Now it's $253.  I've noticed a huge increase with several of her pieces.  I sold a lot of my Bixby pieces on Ebay and just kept a few pieces that I do love.

[LTT1]

@NickNack@Penellope

My Bixby pieces have never tarnished... well, if stored unprotected they do a little bit...not noticably tho.

[NickNack]

@LTT1  I haven't noticed my Bixby pieces tarnishing either, but I always store them with those little pieces of tarnish protector paper (not sure what it's called).

[LTT1]

@NickNack

I have started being diligent about this also in the last few months.

I have my rings in a wooden jewelry box with no protectors, and they do not tarnish.  I have two of these.

I LOVE the (black) faux-leather opening circle necklace.  Would love to have the turquoise also....

The pendant and charms that go on it were all items that needed to stay in with the silver paper.

[NickNack]

@LTT1  I just looked at that necklace, and it doesn't say it's faux leather.  It says it's leather.  I like it, too.

[Shelbelle]

Most sterling pieces today are also rhodium plated.