QuestionHello. I was wondering if there is a way to remove the rhodium plating from a yellow gold tennis bracelet? I had the process done by a jeweler a few years ago and it still looks pretty good, however, I can see some yellow showing through. I don't want to keep re-doing the process. Thanks in advance!
AnswerKelly, generally the only way to effectively remove rhodium plating is by abrasive means. That simply says the plate must be buffed away! Most plated surfaces can be removed by something called "electro stripping", a process like electroplating in reverse. Unfortunately, rhodium does not respond well to the stripping process.
The same characteristics of durability and hardness making rhodium a fine metal to use in plating gold also make rhodium difficult to remove.
A jeweler can buff the rhodium off but this will take time and I don't know what the labor charge might be. Also, getting into the fine areas of the bracelet will be difficult and likely require hand buffing, again a time consuming process.
You might check with a jeweler to see what they might charge to buff off the rhodium but don't be surprised if this cost is as high or perhaps higher than having the rhodium redone.
I wish I could tell you and easy way but I do not know of one.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. November 12,2006
