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 does the cross turn black?
Pectoral crosses are most often made of silver. But even with proper care, over time they lose their shine and darken. Popular reasons why jewelry loses its original appearance include:
- Water and chemical impurities. In addition to water, jewelry becomes blackened by shower gels, soaps, shampoos, household chemicals, cosmetics and rooms with high humidity. In order to preserve the original appearance of the cross for a long time, it is recommended to remove it before the pool, bath or shower. Tap water contains many impurities and chemicals that cause oxidation and blackening. To reduce exposure to chemicals, do not wear jewelry while cleaning.
- Sunlight and warmth. To prevent the cross from turning black after going outside on a sunny day, it must be hidden under clothing.
- Sea water. On the seashore, the air is filled with hydrogen sulfide and, together with the high temperature, oxidation of the metal occurs. Therefore, before heading to the beach, it is better to leave the jewelry in a dry place.
- Secretions of the human body. Sweat, cosmetic residues, sebum and other body secretions negatively affect the condition of the silver cross. Such secretions contain sulfur, which reacts with silver and copper to produce sulfite, which coats the silver item with a coating. In addition to the change in shade, the decoration has an unpleasant odor.
In addition to scientific evidence of why a silver item turns black, in ancient times there were beliefs that a religious symbol changes color due to troubles in a person’s life. In the old days it was believed that the cross turns black due to a person’s illness, loss of strength, or loss of vital energy. In this case, you needed to rest, change your field of activity, or examine your surroundings.
Also, some sources say that blackness on the cross may appear due to damage or the evil eye. It is necessary to rinse the jewelry in holy or spring water and bathe in it yourself so that the water removes negative energy.
According to church ministers, blackness on jewelry appears when people commit a bad deed or sin. It is necessary to visit the church and confess. According to believers, it will no longer be possible to save the cross; you need to leave it in the temple and buy a new one for yourself.
In order to reduce the likelihood of early blackness, when purchasing a product you need to pay attention to the silver standard. The more additives in the alloy, the faster it will become covered with a dark coating. You need to choose jewelry made of 875, 925, 960 silver.
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.
Storage rules
Pectoral crosses are intended for constant wear. But if you don’t always wear them, the jewelry should be stored in a closed box, otherwise it will quickly turn black. Storage in a common box is allowed if it has compartments for different accessories. You need to remove the box with jewelry away from sunlight and heating radiators. Protect your jewelry from dampness and mechanical damage. There is no need to place the cross next to medicines, plastic, or food.
If the cross will not be worn for a long time, it should be washed in a soapy solution, dried and wrapped in a flannel cloth or parchment. Do not store the product in a box with a rubber surface.
There are many home methods for cleaning silver jewelry. Their choice depends on what ingredients you have available at home. If the cross has stones, you must carefully choose the cleaning method so as not to spoil the decorative elements. Making a cleaning mixture is simple: you need to know the amount of ingredients and the correct algorithm of actions.
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.
How to clean a cross with stones
If there are stones on the cross, it is better to contact a workshop. Craftsmen clean jewelry using professional products that are safe for precious items. Do not use dry powders or products with abrasive particles that can scratch the stone inserts.
The most suitable solution for home cleaning is ammonia, which does not harm the stones. Below are some recommendations to help you choose the right method for cleaning jewelry containing stones:
- do not immerse items with rubies and topazes in hot water so that they do not change their color;
- crosses with aquamarine, sapphire and emerald can be cleaned using any available methods;
- accessories with ivory and coral should be taken to jewelers so as not to spoil the appearance;
- accessories with malachite, opal, moonstones and turquoise can only be cleaned with detergents without rubbing.
It is necessary to take into account the characteristics and properties of the stones so that the cleaning result is the desired one. Before putting on the jewelry, it must be thoroughly washed and dried.
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.
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.
Evil eye
The consecrated pendant darkens in the presence of the evil eye or induced damage. In this case, the cross suddenly turns black, and one gets the feeling that it is in the way, suffocating.
Cleaning does not solve the problem; after a short time, the material changes color again.
Moreover, the blacker the metal, the stronger the negative impact. Over time, a person begins to get sick and feels a loss of strength.
In the event of an evil eye or damage, a deliverance ritual should be performed: light three candles for saints in three different churches. Afterwards, the cross must be thoroughly cleaned and kept in holy water for at least a day. You can ask the priest to re-bless the pendant.
Reasons why silver darkens
- Mystic.
Some people mistakenly associate changes in the color of silver items with the manifestation of specific diseases. People with a penchant for mysticism even assume that this signals the evil eye or damage to a person. And if the decoration darkens, it means that it took the blow.
In general, silver has long been given an occult meaning - protection from various kinds of unclean spirits and creatures. Just remember the silver bullets against werewolves. The material was used to create amulets for homes and people - crosses on the neck, anchors for those traveling by sea, a month to prevent nightmares and sleep problems, bells to cleanse rooms from evil forces, etc.
Although this effect of silver has not been proven by science, this metal does play a role in maintaining health. Silver preparations have antibacterial and wound-healing effects. The latter can be easily checked if you cover a small wound with an adhesive plaster containing silver ions. Intravenous preparations containing this metal are used for joint diseases and inflammation of the respiratory system. For some digestive problems, medications with silver as one of the components are taken orally.
But in this case, the important thing is that all mystical theories about the darkening of silver are actually just a figment of fantasy. The reasons for black deposits on metal are completely different.
- Sweating.
Silver is a metal that, like other substances, is subject to chemical reactions. And human skin on the neck and in other places where jewelry is worn regularly secretes sweat in greater or lesser quantities, which also contains chemicals containing sulfur. And when sulfur and silver combine, silver sulfide is formed, which has a dark gray or black color. The sulfide layer is initially invisible, then it thickens and compacts, turning into a coating visible to the naked eye.
Sweating is a natural process of the human body. But if at some point the jewelry darkens especially actively throughout the body or in a certain area, this may not only be the result of increased physical activity or heat outside, but also one of the symptoms of health problems that should not be ignored.
Advice
In order to clean your jewelry later, you should not wear it in conditions of very high humidity - for example, when going to the beach, sauna or bathhouse. Moreover, in such conditions, your favorite jewelry is very easy to break or lose.
- Impurities.
Silver itself is a very soft metal, therefore, in order for products made from it to retain their shape during use, pure silver is not used. Although an alloy is used, where about 5-8% are other metals that give the jewelry strength, even a fairly massive silver item can be bent or broken with manual effort. The metals for the alloy may include copper, and its property is to oxidize upon contact with air.
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Sometimes a piece of jewelry pleases with its shine for a very long time, and then suddenly begins to turn black. This can happen if it was covered with a protective rhodium film, which has deteriorated over time. But when a purchased chain darkens too much and too quickly after purchase, we can conclude that it is of low quality, low silver content and a large number of impurities.
- Other reasons.
Of the places where jewelry is worn, the largest number of sebaceous glands are located in the neck and chest. That is why most often it is chains and crosses that darken. The composition of skin secretions may change due to hormonal disruptions or changes (for example, during pregnancy). In such cases, jewelry sometimes darkens in just a few days. The color of silver is also affected by changes in the acid-base balance of the skin.
An unexpectedly strong brightening of silver jewelry may indicate problems with the kidneys or liver, because in this case, nitrogen is released through sweat, which gives the silver shine.
In general, you shouldn’t attach too much significance to the change in color of silver jewelry, much less any magical significance, but it can still be a reason to take a closer look at your overall physical condition and health.
If the jewelry was not worn, but lay in a nightstand or box, then the reason that it darkens may be dampness or contact with sulfur-containing objects or substances. Of course, silver can also change color when it comes into contact with various chemicals and some foods.
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.
What to do if the silver has turned black
Do not despair if the silver has become tarnished or darkened. Unfortunately, a similar fate awaits many jewelry made from this metal - especially those that we wear without taking them off. Even if your favorite piece of jewelry has become covered with patina, it will not be difficult to clean silver from blackness at home. Choose any convenient method:
Using lipstick
Oddly enough, ordinary lipstick is one of the best silver cleaners. It contains a lot of fat and titanium dioxide, which not only help clean silver from plaque, but also give the jewelry a beautiful shine.
Cleaning silver with lipstick
Apply lipstick to the jewelry, take a brush and rub the product until it squeaks. The decoration will brighten before your eyes! However, it is worth keeping in mind that this method is only good for smooth jewelry without precious stones.
Prohibited tricks
Regardless of the composition or coating methods of silver crosses, cleaning methods that involve deep penetration should be avoided. These include:
- caustic chemical compounds;
- hard bristle brushes;
- or abrasive powders.
Even the smallest scratch on a glossy surface will be an insurmountable obstacle the next time you clean it. As a result, such damage can only be repaired in a workshop with professional equipment.
