It seems people (not me) are back to investments in gold and other precious metals to minimize the risks of inflation, and for other various reasons.
I've recently learnt, about a very rare and expensive metal - rhodium. Its symbol on the periodic table of elements is Rh and its atomic number 45. It is used in industry primarily as an agent of hardening, increase of resistance to corrosion, and reflectivity.
Rhodium is much more expensive than the other known precious metals (gold, titanium, silver) because of its rarity. It cannot be mined on its own; it's a by product of titanium mining. The main country source for rhodium is South Africa.
The name 'rhodium' has been brought up , the other day, in a discussion on plated jewelry. Rhodium is used to coat mainly white gold and or platinum jewlery to give it durability and improve its brightness.
I've got no plated jewlery at all, so I'm not familiar with the process. I do own a few personal jewlery pieces made of gold, silver, titanium of various karat values, but these pieces are not coated with some other metal for protection and shine.
They say, that unlike nickel, this silver-white metal rhodium, has no allergenes, so the plating is hypoallergenic. When added to a white gold ring with a diamond, it enhances the brilliance of the diamond.
Anyway, rhodium is not for people with modest means. It's too expensive, but like anything found in nature, 'rhodium' is an interesting topic, and not only to those looking for metal investment or jewelry plating (I'm not looking for either).
Such interesting facts about this metal, Duta. I never knew this before.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Interesting, indeed. Still, I do think that it's too expensive even for investments, and people with money will probably keep on investing in the usual metals: gold, silver, platinum. Blessings to you too!
DeleteWell, you've educated me today. I've heard of this but didn't know anything about it other than the name. I'm thinking it's out of my price range too!
ReplyDeleteIt was new to me too. As for plating jewelry , I've heard about plating with yellow gold to make the item more valuable.
DeleteDuta, its importance also lies in its unique properties that allow it to be used in a wide range of applications. In the automotive industry, rhodium is mainly used to coat catalytic converters as it helps reduce harmful gas emissions.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it has, indeed , "a wide range of applications" in industry. The obstacle being its high price.
DeleteWhy have we largely not heard of rhodium - too rare? too expensive? does it have some sort of security issue?
ReplyDeleteThe answers are in your questions, Hels: too rare, too expensive. I know nothing about any security issue.
DeleteGood to learn of rhodium
ReplyDeleteI agree. In fact, it's good to learn about anything that we don't know. Never heard about rhodium till recently.
DeleteDuta, my son was just telling me about this element. We even got out an old box of items from my great-grandfather to see if his straight razor contained it. They used to nicer ones with it. Nope. Not ours!
ReplyDeleteHow are things there right now?
What a coincidence! Your son checking great -grandfather's razor for rhodium.
DeleteHow are things? They could be better. May God help us!
Yes, God help and protect us all.
DeleteAmen!
DeleteI have been thinking of you - and it is lovely to see a post.
ReplyDeleteLearning is a gift isn't it?
I knew of rhodium but have none - and don't lust after it either.
Thanks for thinking of me. Hoping for better, safer, peaceful times.
DeleteWe never stop learning, and that's indeed a great gift! As for rhodium, we can surely do without it.
I don’t believe rhodium and I will never cross paths. It is good to know about it though.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I say too: it's good to know, even though I'm not going to even get near it.
Delete"I read that Rhodium plating provides extra protection for your jewelry against scratches. Furthermore, I've never really thought about it. I love jewelry with beads. I have some jewelry from my mother (pearls), but I don't like pearls. Still I cherish them. DUTA, how are you now? Is it a bit quiet in your area? Praying for you. xxx
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it is said to protect jewelry from scratches.
DeleteThanks for your praying for me. I need that as things don't look too good. I live in the central part of the country; the battles are mainly in the south and north, but we also get rockets and alarms.
Interesting...."Rhodon" in Greek means "rose", apparently.
ReplyDeleteTake good care, DUTA. :)
Well, I don't know about the source or meaning of the word 'rhodium'. I might look for it on the internet.
DeleteThanks for caring abot me, Lee.
This has many interesting applications, Bot buying any expensive jewelry here, would rather just enjoy food, electric and internet which are alll expensive enough!
ReplyDeleteYou're right about that. The essentials of life are expensive enough without going into buying of rhodium plated jewelry or any jewelry for that matter.
DeleteInteresting Duta. I have a few white gold necklaces and rings, they are rhodium plated.
ReplyDeleteDo keep safe and well..
I'm excited about you having rhodium plated jewelry!!
DeleteThank you for your good wishes.
I wasn't aware of this metal rhodium...interesting to learn new things every day.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, indeed. We feel alive with learning something new everyday.
DeleteI knew there must be something like this, but I didn't know the name. Thanks for posting about this.>>>>>>>> Well, I'm home from my roadtrip. And I know it was only like a 17 hour trip..still, its great to be in my own space. All the best to your November.
ReplyDeleteNo place like home. Wishing you a wonderful November!
DeleteThank you so much. I am glad I made it back before the time change. This seems to have messed up my week more than I thought it would. Oh, well..I have been drinking Golden milk before bed and that seems to have helped. Hope you are doing OK these days.
DeleteI don't mind the time change. Any kind of milk before bed calms the body and helps fall asleep. Well, I'm worried and sad, these days. There's not much I could do about it.
DeleteThis is new to me and interesting info. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week.
ReplyDelete
DeleteIt's new to most people. That's why I've decided to write about it.
A wonderful week to you too!
Thanks Duta for sharing information on a metal I didn't know anything about. Like yourself, I am not one for wearing jewelry although I have some nice pieces received as gifts. We have just returned from an extended trip abroad and I'm trying to catch up with blog reading this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI knew nothing about it until recently. So, I wanted to share the information with my readers.
DeleteWelcome home!
Never heard of Rhodium.. Here folks buy silver and gold coins. Janice
ReplyDeleteSiver and gold bars and coins are the usual form of precious metals bought by people seeking investment. Banks in Switzerland sell them freely, I think.
DeleteI like this post, it’s very interesting and informative. Your blog is always a great read. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful week.
I appreciate your kind words. You're welcome.
DeleteNão conhecia o ródio, pelo que agradeço a partilha.
ReplyDeleteAbraço amigo.
Juvenal Nunes
Well, it appears you're not the only one, not familiar with this metal. I'm always glad to share general information. Hugs and blessings!
DeleteI never knew anything about this, so thanks for the "lesson!"
ReplyDeleteYou're more than welcome, Jeanie.
DeleteInteresting information about this.
ReplyDeleteYes, so it would seem. Thanks for the comment, Nas. Have a nice day!
DeleteInteresting information. My son is allergic to nickel and everything is plated with it. When he was young it was a challenge to find a belt buckle that wouldn't make him break out.
ReplyDeleteIt's good he knows he's allergic to nickel, and so, can take measures and prevent allergy.
DeleteHuh, I didn't even know there was such a metal!
ReplyDeleteThat's ok. You're in good company; a lot of people haven't heard of it because of its rarity and price.
DeleteBoa tarde de quinta-feira minha querida amiga Duta. Confesso que não conhecia o Ródio. Parabéns pelo seu trabalho e explicações interessantes.
ReplyDeleteThank you, anyway, for your kind words, Luiz.
DeleteAn interesting read, I had heard of it but didn't know too much about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
All the best Jan
You're welcome, Jan.
DeleteObviously, rhodium is not for me. Hehe. But I found the information fascinating. I wasn't familiar with it at all. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
I like your 'Hehe', Sandra :) Rhodium is not for me either, but like you, I find the info about it quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteLo que te voy a contar te va a sonar raro como el día que te dije que nunca me monté en avión...pues en el caso de hoy, te garantizo que ni mi esposa ni yo, jamás nos hemos puesto ni ha entrado en casa algún tipo de joyas, anillos, gargantillas, etc. de metales preciosos, es más, el anillo de compromiso de cuando nos casamos, hace ya más de cuarenta años, eran de madera y hechos por un amigo artesano. Nosotros, y por convencimiento de los dos, y por que detestamos la ostentación, esa exhibición de vanidad o presunción, que tanto se estila hoy día, pasamos olímpicamente de ellas, y más mientras tantas personas y sobre todo niños, mueren diariamente de hambre, en todo el mundo.
ReplyDeleteUn fuerte abrazo, amiga, y perdona que haya tardado en pasar por aquí pero he tenido el blog bloqueado durante un tiempo, por cambio de correo.
That sounds indeed rather weird. You claim that no precious metal has ever entered your house. You and your wife have never worn any precious metal jewelery. Even your wedding ring was made of wood.
DeleteWell, Manuel, you and your wife are very special people! Wishing you the very Best! Blessings to you both!
Wow! I've never even heard of rhodium. I'm afraid I don't wear much jewelry anymore except for a wedding band. I had a lot of inexpensive costume jewelry for school when I taught first grade, but they were just fun jewelry for the kids to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteEven those who do wear jewelry or invest in precious metals, have scarcely heard about rhodium. Well, we never cease to learn about things.
DeleteYour comment ddn't go through, Sandra, but I managed to read it (see my reply to it below).
ReplyDeleteI had no idea. I don't wear jewelry, though I do have some. Used to like wearing bracelets, but then stopped when I started wearing my fitbit. Interesting share.
ReplyDeleteI'm considering wearing my jewelry pieces for fear of theft.
Delete