This Sterling Silver chain is first plated with a layer of grey palladium, and then finished with a final layer of grey rhodium on the outside. It is difficult to plate rhodium directly onto sterling silver, so this extra step ensures that the rhodium sticks better to the underlying metal.

There are multiple reasons to plate sterling silver with rhodium. One is that 925 silver naturally tarnishes, and rhodium keeps its color much better. Rhodium plating can save a bit of hassle if you want to avoid want to clean or polish your sterling silver pieces. 

The other reason to rhodium plate on top of sterling silver is that it looks the same as white gold. Yes, white gold isn't actually white! It's yellowish when unplated, and rhodium is often the metal of choice to finish it off. Rhodium plating on top of sterling silver gets you the same look at a small fraction of the price. 

Just keep in mind that grey rhodium is slightly darker than the natural bright 925 sterling silver color. If you have any questions about rhodium finish or this item in general, feel free to contact us. 

Can rhodium plated sterling silver be used for permanent jewelry? 

Yes, it can! When the plating wears off of this item, the underlying metal will still be white. If you choose to use these on permanent jewelry, it is probably best to use a solid gold jump ring to weld it shut. We should mention that some people love rhodium plated silver, and some people avoid it entirely. But each material has its pros and cons, so it is really up to your own preference.