At Nickel and Suede, known for our unique and quality leather jewelry, we've recently made a significant shift by incorporating rhodium-plated pieces into our collection. Over the last year most of our sterling silver peices have moved to a rhodium plating. But why the change? Let's dive into why rhodium has become our go-to solution and how it's transforming the way we create accessories that stand the test of time.
As leaders in leather jewelry, we love the beauty and versatility of leather. We can create so many designs with leather, but the leather is always combined with metal in some way. Pairing leather with traditional silver jewelry has always posed a challenge – leather can accelerate tarnishing, leading to a loss of shine over time. This prompted us to seek a solution that would preserve the look and the finish of our designs.
What is Rhodium?
Rhodium is a rare and precious metal that belongs to the platinum group. Its striking silver-white appearance and remarkable properties make it highly sought after in the world of jewelry. It's one of the rarest metals in the world and is 5x more costly and rare than gold. What sets rhodium apart is its natural resistance to tarnishing and corrosion, making it the perfect choice for enhancing the longevity and brilliance of jewelry pieces. Through a process called rhodium plating, a thin layer of rhodium is applied to jewelry, creating a protective barrier that keeps pieces looking as good as new for years to come. All of our silver colored hooks are plated with rhodium over sterling silver.
Rhodium emerged as the perfect solution to our tarnishing problems. With its natural resistance to tarnishing, rhodium ensures that our pieces maintain their pristine appearance, even when paired with leather. It's a game-changer, allowing us to combine the luxurious feel of leather with the long lasting shine of rhodium-plated silver. Our hooks no longer tarnisha and no longer need to be shined with a tarnish cloth.
One of the significant advantages of rhodium-plated jewelry is its hypoallergenic nature. Rhodium is biocompatible and typically does not cause allergic reactions, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin. Our silver jewelry is still just as safe or safer for those with sensative skin now that it is plated in rhodium rather than only made from sterling silver.
Incorporating rhodium-plated jewelry into our collection has opened up new possibilities. Now, our customers can enjoy the best of both worlds – the lightweight feel of leather paired with the lasting shine of rhodium.
At Nickel and Suede, we're dedicated to designing and manufacturing unique, quality jewelry. Over the last year, our transition to rhodium-plated jewelry underscores this, offering you accessories that will help you look and feel your best this season.