Jewelry made of pure gold and high-karat K gold (24K, 22K, 18K) generally does not oxidize easily. Due to the higher proportion of alloys in 9K, 10K, and 14K gold, these may gradually lose their luster over time.
925 pure silver oxidation is a natural phenomenon. Therefore, rhodium-plated silver adds a protective layer to the silver, slowing down the oxidation process.
The "K" in karat gold stands for "karat," a measure of gold purity. It represents the ratio of pure gold to alloy in a piece of gold jewelry. The higher the amount of gold, the higher the purity. Common karat ratings include 24K, 18K, 14K, 10K, and 9K. Each purity level of karat gold has different characteristics, which we will introduce in two separate articles.
Since pure gold is very soft, to make jewelry more suitable for everyday wear, gold is mixed with other metals such as silver, palladium, and platinum to increase its hardness. In this process, depending on the proportion of gold used, it is classified into 24K, 22K, 18K, 14K, 10K, and 9K. Additionally, by incorporating different metal components, gold can be alloyed into various colors like white gold and rose gold. Some manufacturers also develop unique gold alloys like purple gold and green gold.
925 sterling silver is inherently silver-white and does not need rhodium plating to change its color. However, silver is an active metal that readily reacts with sulfur, nitric acid, and other oxidants in the air, forming silver sulfide on its surface—what we commonly see as tarnishing. To prevent or delay this occurrence, rhodium plating provides a protective layer on the silver, isolating it from the air and enhancing the jewelry's luster.
TING H Jewelry features a sterling silver collection that utilizes the rhodium plating process common in fine jewelry. Rhodium is one of the most expensive metals in the world, not only protecting silver from tarnishing but also enhancing its luster to be more elegant and bright.
