…On Review

Platinum, palladium and rhodium are less easy to work with than silver or gold, as they are hard and have high melting points. Platinum and palladium are ideal for setting of value gemstones as they are very strong metals. Rhodium is most commonly used in electroplating, and it gives a very durable and bright-white or black finish to pieces.

Applications

Platinum is a difficult metal to work because it is so hard, but this makes it good for secure stone settings. Casting is often used to produce pieces in platinum, as they will require little or no forming or soldering. Due to the high cost and high specific gravity of this metal, it is most often used for smaller pieces of jewellery, such as rings and earrings.

Palladium has increased in popularity as a material for jewelry making in recent years, having a good colour and reflectivity, and similar working properties to platinum. The main advantages of palladium over platinum are its lighter density, lower soldering temperatures and cheaper price.

Rhodium is used for electroplating other metals, most commonly white gold and plati­num, to improve the colour, giving a bright silvery-white finish that does not tarnish. Black rhodium plate is also a choice, and produces a dark gunmetal finish. Rhodium is very hard and can be deposited in thin layers; the plate is only a few microns thick, but will be more durable than other plated finishes.

Rhodium is used for electroplating other metals, most commonly white gold and plati­num, to improve the colour, giving a bright silvery-white finish that does not tarnish. Black rhodium plate is also a choice, and produces a dark gunmetal finish. Rhodium is very hard and can be deposited in thin layers; the plate is only a few microns thick, but will be more durable than other plated finishes

Availability

Platinum products are available in a limited range — because much platinum jewelry is cast, there is no need for a large range of products. Special files, saw blades and polishing compounds are available for use with platinum as it will rapidly blunt normal tools.

Palladium has recently been granted a UK hallmark, which sets its place as a precious metal, and will increase public awareness. As interest and demand increases, a greater range of metal products will be available. Palladium is in the same price region as mid-range carat golds.

Many platers will offer white rhodium plating as a service, but fewer offer black. Rhodium plating can be more expensive than other metal plates as the metal itself is very pricey, but not prohibitively so, because such small amounts are being used.

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