What were some of the early decorative usages for rhodium electroplating?
Rhodium was used as a novelty in the early 1920’s to demonstrate its chrome-like brightness to prospective customers by the plating trade. Commercially, rhodium’s presence grew quickly by the mid-1930’s. Rhodium electroplated finishes on Art Deco style cigarette lighters, writing instruments and other fashion accessories became very popular. Some excellent examples of rhodium plated products were produced by the Ronson lighter company (“Fine Line”style circa. 1934) and on fashion jewelry from companies such as Cartier. By the start of WW ll, rhodium as well as the other members of the platinum metals group were declared strategic metals and their use became restricted for military applications only. It wasn’t until the late 1950’s that rhodium plating began to re-emerge as a decorative finish.
