Costume Jewelry Ring with Rhodium Plating

I have a ring that's rhodium plated and brass underneath, but it's a matte finish ...the finish rubbed off and the ring turned my finger green...what could the makers be using to give it the matte finish?

Hi,

Rhodium plate by itself cannot be given a matte finish in most cases. It is usually the texture of the underlying metal which will give a rhodium plate a matte-like look.

Rhodium plate is generally a width equal to 1/100th of the thickness of one strand of hair. Because rhodium plate is so thin, any attempts to give it a matte finish would remove the layer of rhodium plate.

It is probably the texture of the surface of the brass which gave the ring its original look - but if that texture on the brass wore away than the ring probably won't look quite the same if it is plated again.

The copper in the brass is what is causing your finger to turn green. If you intend on wearing the ring again, it is best to have the rhodium plate reapplied. The ring may look like it used to, as long as the original texture of the brass on the ring remained the same.

I hope this info helps, and do write us again if you have any additional questions!

Suzanne Gardner