A pectoral cross is not just a decoration, but also a symbol of faith, visible evidence of belonging to a church, confession of Christianity, and a means of grace-filled protection. According to the rules of the Orthodox Church, it is not recommended to remove the cross; you must wear it constantly.
If the cross is made of silver, it quickly turns black on the body, especially in the hot summer or with regular intense physical activity. The beautiful white color becomes an unattractive grayish-black. Let's consider the main reasons for this phenomenon, as well as possible ways to solve the problem.
Chemical composition
Silver, in its value, is significantly inferior to other precious metals, the price for this is a lower ability to withstand the influence of the external environment. Pure metal is not used for the production of jewelry due to its high ductility. Products made from soft silver are deformed from the slightest impact and wear very quickly, losing their original shine.
To increase strength, copper and other chemical elements are added to it; the purity content in the alloy is called fineness. The most common are 925, 875, 830. The lower the sample, correspondingly, the lower the amount of noble metal, the sooner blackening occurs.
- This is important: Why are different samples of silver needed?
Why did the golden cross on the human body darken?
Gold is a metal even less susceptible to chemicals than silver, but it is also much softer. That is why, in the manufacture of gold-based jewelry alloys, a lower percentage of the precious metal is used.
750-carat gold is already too soft: it is not used in the jewelry industry, but sometimes exclusive custom-made jewelry is made from it. The most acceptable combination of price and performance characteristics is 585-carat gold - the majority of jewelry supplied to the retail chain is made from it.
If the gold cross has darkened, most likely it is due to the composition and number of ligatures. Factory-made gold-based jewelry alloys darken extremely rarely, so it is quite possible that this is a fake. Or you obviously saved money by choosing a cheaper option.
Gold pendant with topaz in the SUNLIGHT catalog
Also, if the gold cross has turned black, perhaps it is just dirty. And the layer of contamination can be easily removed using the simplest products available in the kitchen or in the family medicine cabinet.
Under the influence of human body secretions, gold darkens not nearly as intensely as silver. But this factor cannot be discounted: sometimes even the medications taken and cosmetics used affect the color of gold.
Health status
The main reason for the blackening of the cross on the human body is sweating. With sweat, a huge number of chemical compounds are excreted from the body, most of them have a negative effect on silver.
The pectoral cross is susceptible to this effect more than other jewelry, for the simple reason that there are many sweat glands on the chest. The severity of sweat depends on several factors.
- Stress can seriously affect the chemical composition of sweat. At the biochemical level, stress acts like radiation and has a destructive effect on the entire body.
- Diseases can also affect metabolism, however, the most noticeable effect on the silver cross is exerted by medications, the remains of which are eliminated through sweat.
- Intense physical activity leads to increased sweat production; accordingly, the amount of harmful substances increases, which certainly affects the appearance of the pectoral cross.
Climate
A pendant made of copper and silver quickly turns black under certain climatic conditions: high humidity near the sea, the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the air.
Chlorine content in drinking water can also cause color changes. Copper and silver ions oxidize, reacting with sulfur and chlorine compounds, which causes darkening of the metal.
If you have taken a swim in a pond and the cross suddenly turns black, it means that the water contains harmful impurities. When a liquid evaporates, chemically active sulfur and chlorine compounds enter the air.
Rain in such a climate zone will also contain substances that contribute to the blackening of the metal. Often harmful impurities in water bodies and sediments have an adverse effect on the human body. Perhaps, in the presence of aggressive climatic conditions, it is worth thinking about changing your place of residence.
Ways to protect silver
There are two methods of coating jewelry to protect it from the harmful effects of the environment and preserve its original appearance.
Rhodium plating is coating the surface of a product with a thin layer of rhodium, a platinum group metal with unique reflective properties and increased hardness. The use of this technology allows us to solve the problem of not only oxidation, but also the loss of shine of silver jewelry. Disadvantages of rhodium plating can be considered a change in color towards a grayer one and the wiping of the coating over time, which becomes necessary for restoration.
- This is useful: Advantages and disadvantages of rhodium plated silver
Silvering is the application of pure silver to a product, which resists blackening much better. Apart from wiping, like any other spraying, this method has no disadvantages; it is an ideal option for protecting the pristine appearance of the pectoral cross.
Another common disadvantage of all types of coatings is their complete or partial destruction during repairs using soldering and heating to high temperatures.
Signs and superstitions
Now let’s see why a silver cross with a chain on the body turns black, according to popular beliefs. Our ancestors tended to attribute any changes in life (including the darkening of silver) to the actions of external hostile forces: evil spirits and black deities.
From the point of view of superstition, darkened silver jewelry clearly indicates that its wearer has been jinxed or damaged. If you read the information above, this point of view is quite understandable. The silver cross darkens, which means it is quite possible that the person is sick. How did our ancestors explain all diseases? That's right: the machinations of evil spirits.
See all silver Orthodox crosses in the SUNLIGHT catalog
According to other “competent” sources, this sign means that the bearer of a darkened cross is doomed to loneliness: supposedly, the guy is destined to remain a bachelor all his life, and the girl is crowned with celibacy. More “advanced” Christians interpret the darkening of the cross as a sign that its bearer is leading an unrighteous life, that is, sinning a lot and gravely.
And what kind of actions does folk “wisdom” not prescribe for the unfortunate to perform! For example, consecrate the cross again or get rid of it altogether, not forgetting to light three candles in three different churches.
This contradicts not only materialistic theory, but also Christian dogmas. The Orthodox Church completely denies the existence of any spirits and other otherworldly entities: it has a negative attitude towards the occult in general. No priest will undertake to re-consecrate a creed just because it has become dark. Second: throwing away a consecrated cross is strictly prohibited - this is regarded as a desecration of a shrine.
If the cross has darkened, simply clean it yourself or in a jewelry workshop. If you are afraid of something, give it to the temple, but under no circumstances throw away the symbol of faith - this is blasphemy.
How to clean tarnished silver at home?
There are several tips that will help give your jewelry its former shine and cleanliness:
- The most effective method is special wipes, liquids and pastes designed for silver products. They are sold in most jewelry stores; you just need to ask the seller what exactly you need and follow the instructions.
- Jewelers' recommendation is boiling water, soda and foil. Take a dish with thick walls, cover it with foil so as not to decorate it, add soda at the rate of 50 grams per liter. Place the decoration on the bottom and place it on the stove that is turned on. It takes at least 10-20 minutes for the plaque to boil away, after which all that remains is to wash off the residue.
- The recipe, tested by several generations, is ammonia with water (1 tablespoon per 500 ml). Simply place darkened jewelry in the solution for 30-40 minutes, carefully remove it with tweezers and rinse under running water.
- Toothpaste – Squeeze a small amount onto an old, unused brush and gently apply to the problem area. The main thing is that the composition does not contain abrasive bleaching particles, so as not to scratch the surface.
- Soap solution – items made of blackened or shiny rhodium plated silver can only be cleaned with it using a soft cloth. If the process does not bring results, it is better to entrust the task to a professional jeweler.
Silver jewelry with a precious stone should never be cleaned with any aggressive chemicals, boiling water or dry abrasive. Each pebble has its own, optimal composition of cleaning agents that will not lead to cracks and clouding.
How to dispel a negative interpretation
If the baby’s cross turns black, the following manipulations must be done:
- go to church with your child;
- ask the priest for a blessing;
- buy an icon of the Mother of God and place it by the crib;
- bathe the baby in holy water.
To prevent the cross from darkening anymore, it is advised:
- remove it before taking a bath;
- do not wear jewelry before going to the gym or sauna;
- cover the decoration with white rhodium.
In any case, you need to conduct introspection and stop being afraid of troubles.
Sins
A sudden strong darkening of the cross may indicate bad deeds of the owner. This is especially true for pendants made of silver, since this metal has long been endowed with all sorts of mystical properties, including deliverance from evil spirits. With the accompanying blackening of the chain, the person was threatened with inspection in the dungeons of the Inquisition.
There is also a belief that a gold item darkens when a serious sin is committed. A noble metal can change color if a person is at a crossroads, degrades or forgets about moral principles.
Even if you haven’t noticed any wrongdoing, before cleaning your pectoral cross, it won’t hurt to go to church and pray, asking God for forgiveness for conscious or unconscious sins.
Reasons for appearance
It should be noted that pure gold is an absolutely hypoallergenic metal. This fact is also associated with the lack of methods for specific treatment of allergies to this metal. If an allergic reaction appeared, at first glance, specifically to gold, then, in fact, the body “responded” to the effects of nickel, which is used to give strength to gold jewelry.
White gold jewelry is a combination of two metals – gold and nickel. The latter is an analogue of palladium and can often cause a powerful allergic reaction. An allergy to yellow gold jewelry can occur precisely because there is very little gold in the product.
The diagnosis of “gold allergy” is made very rarely, because the symptoms attributed to it - skin itching, irritation, redness - can also be caused by other allergens (for example, food).
An allergic reaction to silver is a fairly new and little-studied phenomenon. Previously, this metal was considered purely healing. Silver has bactericidal properties and can be used to treat many different diseases. An allergic reaction can occur as a result of wearing jewelry. The reason for this, as in the case of gold, is the presence of various impurities of other metals. This type of allergy does not require treatment - you just need to replace the silver item with a better one.
So, there is no such thing as an allergy to precious metals. The main reason for an allergic reaction when wearing silver and gold jewelry is the presence of impurities of other metals (nickel, zinc, copper).
The mechanism for the occurrence of an allergic reaction is as follows: as a result of prolonged contact between the skin and metal, ions of the latter penetrate through the epidermis into the blood and have a chemical effect on the composition of the blood. The body perceives these substances as foreign and “responds” to them by producing specific antibodies.
The occurrence of an allergy to metal is also influenced by individual intolerance to certain chemicals, upon contact with which a local allergic skin reaction may occur.
What Science Says
Despite popular superstitions, modern science provides a completely logical explanation of the reasons why silver turns black. Since it is a metal, it can oxidize. This is a common chemical reaction that occurs when it interacts with the environment. For example, when the climate changes to a more humid one, with frequent contact of the product with water.
Therefore, to avoid blackening of the silver cross, it is necessary to remove it before water procedures. The silver cross also turns black when the owner sweats excessively. Such symptoms may indicate disorders in the human body: problems with the endocrine system, exacerbation of diabetes, tuberculosis, or ordinary intoxication. To deal with this, a person needs to visit a doctor.
There are other known reasons for the appearance of blackness on silver jewelry. This is an interaction with sulfur-containing substances. For example, when using an ointment that contains sulfur. In addition, the metal can also interact with sulfur vapor contained in the air. This is especially true for residents of industrial areas where the environmental situation is not at its best.
How to avoid darkening of a silver cross
The darkening of the pectoral cross can only be avoided using traditional methods or chemicals. If the doctor does not find any health problems, the person feels great, then the reason for the blackness is in the silver sample. Therefore you can use:
- white boiling using hydrochloric acid;
- cleaning with laundry soap or tooth powder (paste);
- soak the product in a mixture of laundry soap and soda;
- use irradiation or galvanic coating.
Each option whitens the cross or chain for a certain time. Therefore, it is worth determining the period of time through which manipulations must be carried out.
You can avoid problems with the appearance of a Christian symbol not only by regularly visiting doctors, churches or healers. It is much easier to remain a believer, positive towards others. You should also be more careful about the quality of the product.
Detergents and cosmetics
Silver items are negatively affected by the composition of decorative cosmetics, shampoos, soaps, cleaning products, detergents and other household chemicals. The alkalis and acids they contain gradually change the color of the cross.
Attention! If, after using household chemicals, your silver suddenly turns black, it means that the PH balance in the detergent or cosmetic product is imbalanced. Don't use this anymore.
Weakening the biofield
Each person is surrounded by a biofield that protects from external negative influences. People believe that a darkening of the cross can signal a weakened aura.
In this case, the owner of the pendant often experiences melancholy, stops enjoying life, and begins to get sick.
The first sign of a weakened biofield is considered to be intolerance to communication with people who have strong negative energy. After such contact, a person with a depleted aura is able to lie down for a long time.
Positive emotions restore a weakened biofield well. Try changing your surroundings, for example, going on vacation. Try to solve problems as soon as possible. Avoid stressful situations.
Alternatively, you can turn to witches and traditional healers for help.
Damage turns black on silver
There are simple rules that will help you avoid problems: never take someone else’s cross and don’t give yours as a gift - this is a bad omen. In the same way, you should not pass on a silver cross or other jewelry from generation to generation; everyone should go their own way in life and have individual protective talismans.
Another warning: finding a silver cross on the road is a good omen, but on the condition that neither the man nor the woman picks it up, but simply looks and moves on. By putting on someone else's cross, you can voluntarily take on someone else's curses, evil eyes, as well as the bad fate of the one from whom this cross fell.
A person who is faced with the question of why silver darkens will definitely experience other symptoms of an energy strike. Symptoms of damage, the evil eye or a curse, such as a bad mood, reluctance to live, irritability and melancholy in the heart - cannot be ignored. Darkening of silver on the body is a bad sign that requires the intervention of a healer, the casting of strong spells for health, and removing damage by rolling out an egg or pouring wax will also help.
