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 a silver plated necklace that I would love rhodium plating as this necklace holds sentimental value.
Hi there, here’s a link for rhodium plating! https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewlery-maintenance/plating/
I have a mens silver chain that I screwed up and “cleaned” most of the silver layer off… I love this chain but want it back to shiny silver (or rhodium silver)
Hi Mike, you can use this link to place an order for rhodium plating. This will help restore your chain! 🙂
https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewlery-maintenance/plating/
what is the thickness of the plating you add?
Anywhere between half to 1 micron!
Who in the Jackson, MS area does rhodium plating?
Hi there, we can help you with that service! Here’s a link to place an order with us https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewlery-maintenance/plating/
Hi there! I have a pair of silver hoop earrings that have turned a tarnished/red color. Can you help with this? Thanks!
Hi There, yes we can! Could you please provide a picture of their current state?
I have a copper bracelet that needs resilvering. Can you do that?
Hi Sandra, Yes we can! We actually plate in rhodium for the same coloring effect. You can use this link if you’d like to move forward with our services! Please let me know if you need further assistance. 🙂
https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewlery-maintenance/plating/
Hi I have a Rogers spoon ring I’d be interested in plating!
Hi there, please send us a picture to our email [email protected] for further assistance!
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.
I have a toe ring that my husband have me that is costume jewelry and it’s changed color. He just died and I would like it to be recovered in the silver rhodium if possible.
Hi there, you can use this link to place an order for this service! Let us know if you have any other questions. 🙂
https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewlery-maintenance/plating/
It is interesting to note the cheap metals are necessary to be able to give strength to 14kt gold or sterling silver .925. Those metals are preferably copper but sometimes zinc is used. this is why some people cannot wear precious or noble metals because they are many time allergic to the copper.
Good costume jewelry has a thicker plating and will last decades. Much of the”cheaper” items are played abroad with “flash” plating which does not last long at all.
We always use playing companies out of Rhode Island as most jewelry designers do. They are the best for several prices. Unfortunately any of the original designs are first made here and then shipped to China. In America our brass is very high quality. you never know what you will get abroad. i realize this blog is about replaying old pieces and the author does this- thankfully. Iff you can, support American jewelry designers who make there jewelry here as this is one of the highest quality costume jewelry available.
I have a ring that is meaningful to me, and that needs replating (rhodium or silver). Would you be able to do it, and what is the cost? We live in Waterloo, ON.
Thx
Lila
Hi There, thank you for reaching out! We can definitely re-plate this for you. Rhodium plating starts around $44. Here is a link to place an order.
https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/plating/
Please note, if you are outside of the U.S. you are responsible for shipping to our facility!
I have a knock-off Vivienne Westwood armor ring that has lost quite a bit of silver-y plating. I would like to have it replated, but I’m not sure what was used on it before – and since it’s the armor ring, it’s more complicated than a typical ring. Is there a way to repair it?
Hi Hannah, please email us a few pictures of your piece to [email protected] for further assistance!
I have a cross necklace that need silver plating and a few stones replaced. I love this piece ca you help me?
Thank you
Jane
Hi Jane, we can definitely help you with that! If you could send a picture to [email protected], that would be great. We can give more information that way!
Will a piece of jewelry made of
a mix of steel and brass with silver dipped plating
finish: high polish
lobster clasp closure
box chain
stamped curb chain
change colors on me. It is sold for $115.00. I do not want to receive this if it will change colors.
Will a piece of jewelry made of
a mix of steel and brass with silver dipped plating
finish: high polish
lobster clasp closure
box chain
stamped curb chain?
Hi, my Vivienne Westwood bracelet (brass) has gone rusty. What can I do to replate it?
Hi Ellen, we’ve reached out to you via email!
I have a brooch from the 50-60’s that lost a stone and the mount needs silver rhodium. Can you help
Hi Kenneth, we’ve sent you an email 🙂
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