How does rhodium plating work?

[Begonia]

I didn't want to thread jack, so my question is can I get a pair of nephrite jade studs (set in dull silver) rhodium plated without removing the stones? Is it safe for the jade? The settings are cheap looking but would be greatly improved by a brighter metal. No jeweller in town will bother with them as they don't consider them high end, but in fact they are a fabulous color for British Columbia nephrite!

 

[chrono]

Yes, rhodium plating can be done without removing the stone.

https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/metals/how-gold-plating-is-done-step-by-step/

 

[Begonia]

Thanks Chrono!

 

[Seaglow]

It depends if you have a Type A Jade, Type B, or Type C.

Many use ultrasonic cleaners prior to plating.

Type A untreated Jade should be fine.
Type B is polymer impregnated. Depending on the type of polymer used, some are ok.
Type C is dyed jade and you might have a problem with this as dye might go off.


Personally, I have re-plated white gold jewellery in rhodium and 14k gold for a deeper finish with no problem for different types of stones, including Paraiba and Emeralds. But my stones are not impregnated with foreign materials except minor oil for the emeralds of which the oil simply got off from the cleaning and I was fine with that.