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What plating method is most suitable - Rhodium Electroplating or Ion Plating?

Hi

I have a brass chain that is rhodium plated which has a sentimental value. Recently, I noticed that the chain that I have been wearing around my neck for about a month has tarnished. I was told that if the method of plating were to be ion-plated, the rhodium would have lasted much longer.

Please, can anyone enlighten me of this as I planned to have it re-plated and want very much to know which method is best in order not to tarnish so easily. Better still, is there any other method that can be applied onto the chain so that it will not tarnish? Has the thickness of the rhodium to do with the tarnishing.

I really hope somebody can help.

Thank you.

Laurence Choy
Consumer - Singapore
2007

Sorry, I don't know what you mean by Ion plating. Maybe you are referring to PVD (physical vapor deposition)? If the necklace has value to you, take it to a plating shop and have it cleaned properly then plated in copper, white bronze, then rhodium plated. Yes, the rhodium plated thickness does play a role in wear resistance. Are you sure it is rhodium plated? As a general rule rhodium is not plated directly over brass, and not plated on necklaces. If by some slim chance it is, the rhodium has worn off and the brass is tarnishing.

Mark Baker
Process Engineer - Syracuse, New York
2007