Choose gold plated if you love a warm, golden glow. Choose rhodium plated if you want a bright, white silver look that stays fresh for a long time. With good jewellery, the core of both is the same: 925 sterling silver. So you mainly choose on colour, on your skin and on what is already in your jewellery box.
On many product pages you have to choose between two finishes. But what is rhodium, really? And which finish suits your style best in 2026? In this blog I set out the differences clearly.
What is rhodium plated?
Rhodium plated means that a thin layer of rhodium has been applied to a piece of jewellery.
A rare white metal
Rhodium belongs to the platinum group, just like platinum and palladium. It is silvery white, very hard and reflects a lot of light. It is one of the rarest metals on earth. That is why jewellers almost only use it as a layer and not as a solid metal.
Why on silver?
Silver turns yellowish or grey over time because of the air. A layer of rhodium shields the silver from this. The piece keeps its bright shine for longer. White gold rings also often get a rhodium layer for an extra white colour. Read more about the silver itself in our blog on the difference between 925 and 999 silver.
What is gold plated?
Gold plated is silver or another metal with a layer of real gold on top.
Real gold on the outside
With gold plated, a layer of gold is applied to the piece in an electric bath. So it remains a layer; the whole piece is not made of gold. Wondering whether gold plated is real gold? In our jewellery guide we compare all types of gold.
How we do it
Our gold coloured jewellery is made of 925 sterling silver with a layer of 14 karat gold. The silver coloured version has the same core of 925 sterling silver, but with rhodium. So you choose between two finishes on exactly the same silver. Want to know what else exists in gold layers? Then read the difference between gold plated, gold filled and vermeil.
Which finish suits you in 2026?
This year you see both colours a lot, often even together in one look.
Look at your skin
Do you have a warm undertone with greenish veins? Then gold often looks extra beautiful on you. With a cool undertone and bluish veins, silver often suits you better. In our blog are you a gold or silver type you take the test in a minute.
Look at the stone
A gemstone really changes its look next to gold or silver. Blue sodalite and a white pearl look fresh and cool next to rhodium. Next to gold, they get a soft, warm glow instead. Brown and red stones usually look best next to gold.
Look at what you already wear
Do you wear a watch or a wedding ring every day? Then let that colour be your starting point. A gold watch calls for a warm bracelet next to it. A rhodium necklace sits very calmly with a silver ring. That way a new piece instantly feels like part of your own style.
Just mix them
In 2026, wearing gold and silver together is completely normal. That fits perfectly with the Mix & Match concept of Sparkling Jewels. You freely combine what suits you and are never tied to a set. A gold bangle next to a silver beaded bracelet makes a modern, rich stack.
Which finish stays beautiful the longest?
Both layers wear very slowly, but you notice it in a different way.
Rhodium
Rhodium is harder than gold. That is why it scratches less easily. If it does wear in one spot after a long time, you see silver there. Because the colours are so alike, you hardly notice it.
Gold
Gold is softer and wears a little faster in places with a lot of friction. Think of the underside of a bracelet or the clasp of a necklace. On a silver core you then see a light silver tone. So take your jewellery off when you exercise, do the dishes or swim.
Made to be worn for a long time
Our founder visits the workshops in Italy, Bangkok and Hong Kong herself. She tests the materials and checks the details, from the clasp to the setting of a stone. That way both finishes stay beautiful for a long time. Browse all our gold coloured jewellery to see how warm that 14 karat layer looks.
In this video you see how to combine silver, gold and gemstones.
Frequently asked questions about gold plated and rhodium plated
I'm happy to answer a few frequently asked questions:
Is rhodium plated the same as silver?
No. Rhodium is a metal of its own from the platinum group. In rhodium plated jewellery, though, it often sits as a layer on 925 sterling silver. So you are wearing real silver with a protective white top layer.
Can rhodium plated turn yellow?
Rhodium itself does not change colour. On white gold, the yellowish colour of the gold can show through after years. On silver, wear only shows as a slightly warmer silver tone.
Do gold plated and rhodium plated cost the same?
With us, both finishes of the same model cost the same. So you only need to choose what you like best.
Want to know more, or have questions? The experts at Sparkling Jewels are happy to help.
