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Q&As since 1989


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Where does the Rhodium go when it wears away?

I read about rhodium plating on white gold a while back and became curious about what Rhodium really is. What I read stated that rhodium is a heavy metal (of course) and that it is carcinogenic to the human body...so why are we plating our jewelry with a toxic metal, esp. rings- where is this worn off rhodium going, in our food possible as we prepare it with our hands? Most women never take their wedding rings off, we wash dishes, cook, bath, etc. in them. So from what I have gathered, there are tiny amounts of this rhodium that is wearing off gradually. Isn't this a possible health concern?

Hope someone can give some insight on this topic.

Lynn Curry
student - Charleston,WV USA
2006

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2006

Where did you read that it's carcinogenic, Lynn? In a world of billions of web pages written by billions of people, you will go absolutely nuts unless you apply some rating system to instantly dismiss most of it as unreliable. My guess is that some bozo confused rhodium with radium and then a bunch of chicken littles eagerly spread the word that rhodium is carcinogenic.

There are millions of things that wear off, though. Where do the treads on billions of tires go?

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

In simplistic language, to be carcinogenic, the body must ingest it as an ion or convert it to an ion. Rhodium is in the platinum family and is extremely difficult to dissolve, so your body is not going to process it!

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2006