Rhodium vs. Silver — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 22, 2023
Rhodium is a rare, corrosion-resistant metal with a silvery-white appearance, while silver is a lustrous, white, conductive metal commonly used in jewelry and coins. Both are distinct in properties and applications.
Difference Between Rhodium and Silver
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Rhodium and Silver, both being elements on the periodic table, exhibit distinct characteristics and uses. Rhodium is part of the platinum group metals and is known for its exceptional resistance to corrosion and its silvery-white appearance. It is quite rare and often used to plate other metals, like white gold, to improve their durability and shine. Silver, on the other hand, is a well-known metal, often recognized for its bright, lustrous appearance and has been utilized for centuries in various applications, such as jewelry, coins, and utensils.
From a chemical standpoint, Rhodium is represented as Rh with atomic number 45, while Silver is denoted as Ag with atomic number 47. Rhodium's resistance to tarnishing and corrosion makes it a valuable metal in industrial applications. Silver, while also resistant to corrosion, is prone to tarnishing, especially when exposed to sulfur compounds in the air. This characteristic gives silver items a need for regular polishing to maintain their shine.
In the realm of jewelry, Rhodium plating is a sought-after process for its ability to enhance durability and shine. When white gold jewelry starts to yellow with time, a coat of rhodium restores its lustrous white finish. Silver, celebrated for its beauty, is crafted into various jewelry pieces and often combined with other metals to form alloys like sterling silver, increasing its strength while maintaining its radiant appearance.
In the financial sector, Silver plays a prominent role as an investment metal. Its history as a form of currency and its current significance in the commodities market showcase its enduring value. Rhodium, due to its rarity and specialized applications, also has a significant market value but is less common as a mainstream investment compared to silver.
Comparison Chart
Chemical Symbol
Rh
Ag
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Appearance
Silvery-white
Lustrous white
Common Uses
Jewelry plating, industrial applications
Jewelry, coins, electrical, photography
Corrosion Resistance
Highly resistant
Resistant but tarnishes
Market Presence
Rare and valuable
Widely traded and invested
Compare with Definitions
Rhodium
Often used for plating jewelry to enhance durability and appearance.
To maintain its luster, her necklace received a rhodium finish.
Silver
A lustrous, white metal used widely in jewelry and coins.
The silver necklace she wore gleamed in the sunlight.
Rhodium
A rare, silvery-white element in the platinum group.
The white gold ring was plated with rhodium for added shine.
Silver
Commonly alloyed with other metals for increased strength.
Sterling silver, an alloy, is often used for making durable jewelry.
Rhodium
Known for its high resistance to corrosion.
Rhodium's corrosion resistance makes it valuable in industrial settings.
Silver
Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag (from the Latin argentum, derived from the Proto-Indo-European h₂erǵ: "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal.
Rhodium
It has a higher melting point and is less malleable than silver.
The properties of rhodium make it different from other precious metals.
Silver
Symbol Ag A lustrous white, ductile, malleable metallic element, occurring both uncombined and in ores such as argentite, having the highest thermal and electrical conductivity of the metals. It is highly valued for jewelry, tableware, and other ornamental use and is widely used in coinage, photography, dental and soldering alloys, electrical contacts, and printed circuits. Atomic number 47; atomic weight 107.868; melting point 961.78°C; boiling point 2,162°C; specific gravity 10.50 (20°C); valence 1, 2. See Periodic Table.
Rhodium
Rhodium is a chemical element with the symbol Rh and atomic number 45. It is an extraordinarily rare, silvery-white, hard, corrosion-resistant, and chemically inert transition metal.
Silver
This metallic element as a commodity or medium of exchange.
Rhodium
A hard, durable, silvery-white metallic element that is used to form high-temperature alloys with platinum and is plated on other metals to produce a durable corrosion-resistant coating. Atomic number 45; atomic weight 102.905; melting point 1,964°C; boiling point 3,695°C; specific gravity 12.41 (20°C); valence 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. See Periodic Table.
Silver
Coins made of this metallic element.
Rhodium
A rare, hard, silvery-white, inert metallic chemical element (symbol Rh) with an atomic number of 45.
Silver
A medal made of silver awarded to one placing second in a competition, as in the Olympics.
Rhodium
(countable) A single atom of this element.
Silver
Domestic articles, such as tableware, made of or plated with silver.
Rhodium
A rare element of the light platinum group. It is found in platinum ores, and obtained free as a white inert metal which it is very difficult to fuse. Symbol Rh. Atomic weight 104.1. Specific gravity 12.
Silver
Tableware, especially eating and serving utensils, made of steel or another metal.
Rhodium
A white hard metallic element that is one of the platinum group and is found in platinum ores; used in alloys with platinum
Silver
A lustrous medium gray.
Rhodium
A metal rarer than gold or platinum.
Due to its rarity, rhodium often has a higher market price than many other metals.
Silver
A silver salt, especially silver nitrate, used to sensitize paper.
Silver
Made of or containing silver
A silver bowl.
Silver ore.
Silver
Resembling silver, especially in having a lustrous shine; silvery.
Silver
Of a lustrous medium gray
Silver hair.
Silver
Having a soft, clear, resonant sound.
Silver
Eloquent; persuasive
A silver voice.
Silver
Favoring the adoption of silver as a standard of currency
The silver plank of the 1896 Democratic platform.
Silver
Of or constituting a 25th anniversary.
Silver
To cover, plate, or adorn with silver or a similar lustrous substance.
Silver
To give a silver color to.
Silver
To coat (photographic paper) with a film of silver nitrate or other silver salt.
Silver
To become silvery.
Silver
(uncountable) A lustrous, white, metallic element, atomic number 47, atomic weight 107.87, symbol Ag.
Silver
Coins made from silver or any similar white metal.
Silver
Cutlery and other eating utensils, whether silver or made from some other white metal.
Silver
Any items made from silver or any other white metal.
Silver
(uncountable) A shiny gray color.
Silver
(countable) a silver medal
Silver
Anything resembling silver; something shiny and white.
Silver
Made from silver.
Silver
Made from another white metal.
Silver
Having a color like silver: a shiny gray.
Silver
Denoting the twenty-fifth anniversary, especially of a wedding.
Silver
(of commercial services) Premium, but inferior to gold.
Silver
Having the clear, musical tone of silver; soft and clear in sound.
A silver-voiced young girl
Silver
To acquire a silvery colour.
Silver
To cover with silver, or with a silvery metal.
To silver a pin; to silver a glass mirror plate with an amalgam of tin and mercury
Silver
To polish like silver; to impart a brightness to, like that of silver.
Silver
To make hoary, or white, like silver.
Silver
A soft white metallic element, sonorous, ductile, very malleable, and capable of a high degree of polish. It is found native, and also combined with sulphur, arsenic, antimony, chlorine, etc., in the minerals argentite, proustite, pyrargyrite, ceragyrite, etc. Silver is one of the "noble" metals, so-called, not being easily oxidized, and is used for coin, jewelry, plate, and a great variety of articles. Symbol Ag (Argentum). Atomic weight 107.7. Specific gravity 10.5.
Silver
Coin made of silver; silver money.
Silver
Anything having the luster or appearance of silver.
Silver
The color of silver.
Silver
Of or pertaining to silver; made of silver; as, silver leaf; a silver cup.
Silver
Resembling silver.
Others, on silver lakes and rivers, bathedTheir downy breast.
Silver
Precious; costly.
Silver
To cover with silver; to give a silvery appearance to by applying a metal of a silvery color; as, to silver a pin; to silver a glass mirror plate with an amalgam of tin and mercury.
Silver
To polish like silver; to impart a brightness to, like that of silver.
And smiling calmness silvered o'er the deep.
Silver
To make hoary, or white, like silver.
His head was silvered o'er with age.
Silver
To acquire a silvery color.
The eastern sky began to silver and shine.
Silver
A soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
Silver
Coins made of silver
Silver
A light shade of gray
Silver
Silverware eating utensils
Silver
A medal made of silver (or having the appearance of silver) that is usually awarded for winning second place in a competition
Silver
Coat with a layer of silver or a silver amalgam;
Silver the necklace
Silver
Make silver in color;
Her worries had silvered her hair
Silver
Turn silver;
The man's hair silvered very attractively
Silver
Made from or largely consisting of silver;
Silver bracelets
Silver
Having the white lustrous sheen of silver;
A land of silver (or silvern) rivers where the salmon leap
Repeated scrubbings have given the wood a silvery sheen
Silver
Lustrous gray; covered with or tinged with the color of silver;
Silvery hair
Silver
Expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively;
Able to dazzle with his facile tongue
Silver speech
Silver
Known for its high conductivity of electricity and heat.
Silver wiring is often used in high-quality electronics.
Silver
Prone to tarnishing when exposed to sulfur compounds.
The silver spoon needed polishing after months of exposure to air.
Silver
Historically used as currency and a unit of exchange.
Ancient civilizations traded goods using silver coins.
Common Curiosities
Is silver a good conductor?
Yes, silver is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat.
What is rhodium primarily used for?
Rhodium is primarily used for plating jewelry and in industrial applications for its corrosion resistance.
Why do white gold jewelry pieces often have rhodium plating?
Rhodium plating enhances the luster and durability of white gold, preventing it from yellowing.
What causes silver to tarnish?
Exposure to sulfur compounds in the air leads to silver tarnishing.
What's the difference between sterling silver and pure silver?
Sterling silver is an alloy containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, while pure silver is 99.9% silver.
Is rhodium more expensive than silver?
Yes, due to its rarity and specialized uses, rhodium is generally more expensive than silver.
Can silver be used in medical applications?
Yes, silver has antimicrobial properties and can be used in certain medical applications.
How is rhodium extracted?
Rhodium is typically extracted as a byproduct of mining for platinum or nickel.
Can rhodium be used as a catalyst?
Yes, rhodium can be used as a catalyst in industrial processes, especially in car catalytic converters.
How can I differentiate between rhodium-plated and silver jewelry?
Rhodium-plated jewelry tends to have a brighter finish and doesn't tarnish, while silver can darken or tarnish over time.
Is rhodium found in nature?
Yes, rhodium is naturally occurring but is rare and typically found in platinum or nickel ores.
Is it common to find pure silver jewelry?
Pure silver is soft, so jewelry is often made from sterling silver or other silver alloys for durability.
Why is silver historically significant?
Silver has been used for centuries as currency, in trade, and for crafting artifacts, making it historically significant.
Which metal is rarer, rhodium or silver?
Rhodium is rarer than silver.
What are the main sources of silver in the world?
Silver is commonly mined in countries like Mexico, Peru, China, and Russia.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
