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Better way to strip rhodium

Jewelry Discussion
#1

WOW after many years owning a computer it never hit home to seek
and ideas from like minded people until I had a rhodium
plating challenge which I will elaborate on later.

My name is Ben, Im a 32yo male married with 3 boys 3 6 8. Been
working from home for approx 10 years when the retailer I was
working for decided to use a lessor priced contractor. Still with
jobs to keep me going from my private customers though. After a few
months I answered an ad looking for a contract jeweller which I
applied for and got, but it was instore. I had to think long and
hard as being home for so many years was comfortable. I took up the
position on terms which was accepted and boy was I homesick, I
couldnt even socialise as I hadnt for so long. But 1 year on I have
to say I love it.

Anyway back to my rhodium.

I plated this ring today 3 times and each time several spots
appeared which seemed to be in the same place, so my conclusion was
as it was a casted piece tiny perosity in the locations would
prevent any adhesian.

My dilema is that I need a better way to strip rhodium other than
emery by hand also another job requires delicate masking, so I do
not want to do it with fear of bleading so I need help.

ben rinaldi
Australia

#2

Well, Ben I suggest that you keep your elbow limber, and stock up on
emery paper. I have heard it said that one of the main reasons
rhodium cost (at one point) $2000/oz. is because it takes 7 MONTHS
to extract it from the ore. Basically, anything that will "strip"
or dissolve rhodium will vaporize the base metal - even platinum -
long before the rhodium is even touched. It is impervious to
everything you would want in your shop - unless you like a little
free flourine gas? We use nail polish for masking - if you use a
tiny brush you can do anything. Realize that, if you smear over
your line, it will not plate even if you wipe it off.

#3

Hi Ben,

I am interested in hearing about the striping myself.

As far as the delicate plating job you mentioned…Instead of
masking a whole piece try a rhodium pencil. If you don’t have one
(which I am assuming) I suggest you make one. The mfgr’d ones are made
pretty poorly. (They tend to corrode on the inside connections)

I have one made with all platinum to hold the felt tip and inserted
that into a bic pen casing. You could probably use gold material to
make the electrical connection and save the money of using platinum.

Anyhow, a rhodium pencil can be used with your existing rectifier.
You don’t need the plating rectifier that comes with the pens. Neg-to
piece. Pos-to pen. Just dip the tip into your rhodium and then
draw. Play with the voltage to see what gives you the best results.

Hope that helps,
Mark