Costume jewelry is a nice way to get an affordable piece of bling…until it starts losing its color from all that wear. In order to get it looking nice and bright again, you’ll have to get it plated- but that’s not too easy to do when your jewelry is silver colored! Learn more about how to replate silver costume jewelry here.
Why Is My Costume Jewelry Changing Color?
Costume jewelry, unlike fine jewelry, is usually made from a very cheap metal such as copper, brass, bronze, or even a mixture of metals. These metals are not like gold and platinum- they’ll tarnish and turn colors over time, like black, rust, or even green. To make the appearance of these metals look better, manufacturers will plate on top of these metals with a thin layer of fine metal, such as gold. This gives the jewelry its nice shiny color and allows the manufacturer to sell the pieces as “gold-plated” or “silver-plated.”
Naturally, over time this plating will come off. Think of it like paint being rubbed off a wooden bench that’s been sitting outside; the daily wear and tear your jewelry sustains will remove the plating. Unlike paint, however, reapplying this plating is not as easy.
Overseas manufacturers who make costume jewelry have the technical capabilities to plate on top of these cheap metals. Regular jewelers who normally deal with fine jewelry often refuse to replate costume jewelry, as they do not have the chemical experience involved with plating copper, brass, bronze, or mass production alloys. In addition, these cheap metals will contaminate any tank that is used to plate fine metals such as sterling silver, causing a costume jewelry job to be far too risky for the average jeweler.
So now you might be wondering; well, how do I replate silver costume jewelry if I want to get it looking nice again? There is a solution.
Rhodium Plating on Costume Jewelry
In order to give jewelry that bright and silver-colored aesthetic, many jewelers and manufacturers use rhodium plating. Rhodium is a precious metal that is used to make white gold and silver extra shiny; in fact, it’s standard to treat white gold with rhodium plating in order to make sure it’s the right color.
What you need to know is that rhodium plating is even trickier than gold plating in terms of chemical compatibility. In short, it’s harder to make something silver than yellow in color if the base metal is something strange, such as copper or brass.
In order to rhodium plate costume jewelry, the jeweler needs to remove any existing plating on the piece and polish it to a high shine. Any stones such as rhinestones or crystals are unset if possible, to avoid any damage to the gems and to prevent any glue from contaminating the plating tank.
If the metal is atypical, the jeweler will first plate the item in either nickel or palladium metal. These metals are used as a preliminary coating for two reasons. One, it helps to deter the natural tarnishing from the base metal from seeping through the plating. Two, it makes the item more chemically compatible to the rhodium plating process.
Once the item has been treated, the jeweler then puts the item into the rhodium plating tank, and removes it once the item has successfully taken to the plating process.
Things to Keep in Mind When Replating Silver Costume Jewelry
Not all metals are created equal, and that will affect the plating process. Some metals are impossible to plate without the right procedure and equipment, so if your costume jewelry is made from something like zinc, you probably won’t find someone near you who will take on that job. That being said, you can always consider custom creation if plating is not an option and you genuinely love the piece for design or sentimental reasons. We always tell our clients that it’s a better long term investment to duplicate a piece in silver or white gold to avoid replating.
The Cost and Turnaround Time for Rhodium Plating
This depends on the size of the item and any necessary pre-plating treatment, but rhodium plating typically starts at $35. Turnaround time is approximately 7–10 business days from when we receive your item.
Now you’re all set on how to replate silver costume jewelry! If you have something that needs to be done, comment below and we’ll get back to you shortly.
Community Discussion
Questions, experiences, and expert answers from the QJR community.
I have an old bracelet that belong to my grandmother. I wanted to frame it in a shadow box, but want to clean it up first. I already tried silver polish and it actually looks worse rather than better. Can you help? How much?
Hi there, please use this link to place an order for jewelry polishing, prices are listed on this page as well! https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/polishing/
The same thing happened to me. I have a similar bracelet that was my grandmas and cleaning made it look worse.
Hello, I have a named brand costume jewelry piece (yellow box/white ribbon) in case I can’t say the name of it here. all stones are still attached except it’s turned brown/black. I’ve tried all their methods of gently cleaning but I think it’s time to re-plate it.
Hi Katina! Yes, that sounds like a good candidate for replating, especially if the base piece is intact and the stones are still secure. For costume jewelry, we’d want to review photos first to confirm the metal and plating options. Please email photos to [email protected] and we can take a look.
Hello, I’m interested in getting a costume ring replated in silver.
Hi Kathy! Please email clear photos of the ring, the worn areas, and any metal markings to [email protected]. The base metal and existing finish need to be checked before we can confirm whether silver replating is suitable and what it would cost. Our overview is here: https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/articles/replate-silver-costume-jewelry/.
Hi, I have a ring my little sister gave me that I would like to have silver plated. It has a fake gem in the middle.
Thank you so much for commenting, Kassandra! We’d love to help you with your piece. We reached out via email with the next steps 🙂
I have an old crucifix my Dad wore long ago. It is splochy and tarnished and clearly a cheap metal. I would like to have it plated, so I can wear it. What do you suggest?
Thank you so much for commenting, Anne! We’d love to help you with your piece. We reached out via email with the next steps 🙂
Hi, i have a few pieces I’d like to replace, necklaces mostly. Thanks
Hi Laurel, thank you so much for commenting! We’d love to help you out. We reached out via email to assist you further 🙂
Hello, I have a Mexican silver bracelet that was recently returned to original luster. Now I’d like to keep it that way.
To keep your Mexican silver bracelet looking great, store it in an anti-tarnish pouch or cloth when not wearing it. Regularly wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth to prevent tarnish, and avoid exposing it to moisture, perfumes, and chemicals. For added protection, you could consider an occasional light polish with a silver-cleaning cloth. This should help maintain its shine beautifully! 🙂
Have Versace necklace I would like to replate
Hi Nits, thanks for commenting! We reached out via email to help you with your necklace 🙂
I have a costume sterling silver plated ring that needs replated. It had a large green stone also.
Hi Eunice! Thank you so much for your comment. 🙂 I reached out via email to help you replate your ring!
Hello I have a tarnish metal cross I want dipped in sliver.
Hi Patricia, thank you so much for your comment! We’d love to help you with your piece. I reached out via email to help you with the next steps 🙂
Hey my Vivienne Westwood bracelet has started to turn brown and was wondering what I could do in order to get it back to its silver looking self. Looks like some sort of rust but I read that its not rust. What can I do to fix this?
Hi Zeek, thanks for the comment! I reached out via email to help you out. 🙂
I have an engagement ring I Thought I got from Kay jewelry that’s now turning green on my wife’s finger. Can you help?
[email protected]
Thank you,
Mr fuller
Hi Mr. Fuller, thank you so much for reaching out! I reached out via email to help you with your wife’s engagement ring. 🙂
I have a pair of hoop earrings I would like dipped in sterrlng
Hi Charlene, thank you for your comment! We’d love to help you with your hoop earrings. I followed up via email with the next steps 🙂
I have a pair of Greek key earrings that are very dear to me, A gift from my late grandson. Can you help, they have blackened it just breaks my heart.
Hi Marcia, thank you so much for your comment! We’d love to help you with your earrings. I reached out via email to assist you further 🙂
I have a pair of brand new gold plate earrings, but I would love to have them plated in silver. Is that possible? They have never been worn- I loved the earrings but yellow metals just aren’t my aesthetic.
Hi Deb, thank you so much for your comment! We’d love to help you out. I reached out via email to assist you further 🙂
I have a Brighton Illinois charm bracelet I need spruced up. Can you help?
Hi Bonnie, Happy to help! We’ve reached out via email with further details.
HI I have a Vivienne Westwood necklace I want to get replated.
Hi, Daniel! We replied to your comment via email 🙂
Hi, I have a Vivienne Westwood necklace that has gotten rusty and is missing a few crystals. Would you be able to help me?
Hi Daniel, Happy to help! We’ve reached out via email with further details.
I need help! I messed up my wife’s ring and need to make it right.
Hi, James. We replied to your comment via email 🙂
I have a pendant that has a shaped coin with a silver bracket (to make it into a pendant). I think the coin is nickel-plated, but am not certain. But it’s starting to tarnish and I wondered if it can be silver plated, and if so how much it would cost?
Hi, Eli. We replied to your comment via email 🙂
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