Why does a silver cross turn black?
The pectoral cross is worn as a protective talisman during christenings. It cannot be considered a decoration; it is solely an indicator of faith. During the times of Kievan Rus, crosses were not removed at all. They were not replaced with expensive models. They didn’t have several pieces at once. The godparents tried to purchase a silver model for their godson, because with its help it was possible to avoid serious problems in life.
Reasons why silver darkens
When silver on a person’s body turns black, especially a cross and a chain, superstitious people recommend visiting a doctor, a healer, or going to church regularly. After all, a cross on the body is a protective amulet against damage and the evil eye. Depending on the side of the blackening, it may indicate serious health problems.
Skeptics deny the mystical meaning of blackness. By their standards, this is only an indication of the need to cleanse the precious metal of its contents:
- cosmetics and various substances that are applied to the body;
- human sweat, natural secretions.
People who do not pay attention to folk signs also note that proof of their correctness is the rapid darkening of silver in the summer. Hot weather causes increased sweating and quicker skin contamination. And sporting events and physical labor also contribute to the blackening of the cross.
In fact, a lot depends on the chemical composition of the purchased product. The lower the metal standard, the faster the item deteriorates. The clergy claim that this cannot be an explanation, since they themselves wear exclusively silver crosses and use them in various church rituals.
They take blackening seriously, explaining that if the cross has turned black, but the earrings and rings have the same color, then the problem is not the quality of the metal.
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.
Using soda
Every housewife has baking soda in her kitchen. So why not use it to save your favorite pendant or ring?
How to clean silver with baking soda
Boil water and add soda to it at the rate of 50 grams per liter. Wrap the decoration in foil and lower it into the boiling solution for 10-15 seconds. Then rinse and dry the product.
Using toothpaste
Toothpaste contains polishing (abrasive) microparticles that will help you remove the patina from your silver.
Mystical reasons for the blackening of the cross
No matter how skeptical people are convinced, if a silver cross on the body turns black, it’s time to sound the alarm. There is not always an explanation for why metal darkens. For example, if a person is sick, he sweats more, which contributes to the blackening of silver. But if a person is in his usual conditions, feels well, and there are no external reasons, then all that remains is to look for them in mysticism.
Damage or evil eye
Negative influence on a person is carried out in various ways:
- add or add spoken seasonings, water, food;
- through photography;
- make dolls from straw or wax;
- they leave the pads in the house, under the threshold.
There are really many ways, but a clear indicator of a magical black hex is a silver cross on the body. Since silver is a pure, immaculate metal, and the cross is a symbol of faith, the protection of the Almighty, it is quite natural that the blackened jewelry took on the negative. This is how a person is cleansed from the actions of magicians, envious people and ill-wishers.
Protection from negativity and the influence of dark forces
In addition to protection from damage and the evil eye, a darkened cross can mean energy decline and spiritual fatigue. It is difficult to say who or what caused the loss of energy without performing cleansing rituals. One thing is clear: it’s time to clean not only the silver, but also to restore the purity of the soul and check the energy channels.
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.
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.
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Health problems
Most often, crosses turn black in people with excessive sweating. From the course of chemistry and biology it is known that many chemical compounds are released with sweat, which, when reacting with silver, cause its darkening.
There is an opinion that the cross darkens when a person is sick. It is not without meaning. If blackening occurs suddenly, you should think about going to the doctor.
Factors influencing the increase in the degree of aggressiveness of sweat:
- Stressful situation.
- Taking medications, especially iodine, including externally.
- Metabolic disease.
- Intense physical activity.
- Increased body temperature.
- Problems with the liver and kidneys.
- Pregnancy (hormonal changes).
- Eating plenty of eggs, fish and legumes.
Why does silver turn black on the human body: reasons for the darkening of silver products
Silver jewelry is a great way to complement any outfit with grace and elegance, be it an evening dress or a formal pantsuit. But, unfortunately, over time, silver jewelry can lose its shine and iridescent color and become covered with the so-called patina (dark coating).
Why does silver on the human body darken? This happens due to chemical reactions between silver and skin. However, in addition to the strictly scientific explanation of this phenomenon, there are many signs indicating the reasons for the darkening of the metal.
Why does silver on the human body darken?
If your silver has turned black, yellowed or oxidized, it means it's time to have your jewelry cleaned. Additionally, a silver product can be plated with rhodium – it prevents the metal from blackening. So, let's figure out why silver turns green on the human body, why a favorite piece of jewelry can turn black or oxidize - both from a scientific and a layman's point of view.
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.
Why does silver on the body turn black: the main reasons
As a rule, silver turns black from sweat. But in order to understand why patina appears on silver, you will have to delve a little deeper into chemistry.
Blackened silver rings
Silver in its pure form is a soft, malleable metal and practically unsuitable for making jewelry. Therefore, in the process of creating a new product, silver is mixed with harder metals - for example, copper. And copper reacts strongly with sulfur, which is contained in human sweat, and over time becomes covered with a patina.
If you see that the silver rings on someone's fingers have turned black, or the pendant on their neck has darkened, it is most likely due to the fact that the person often sweats and wears the jewelry without taking it off.
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.
Signs about darkened silver
In folk legends, silver has a special place - it protects against evil spirits, protects against the evil eye and plays a large role in magical rituals. Blackening of silver signs are explained in different ways. Everything is important here - the part of the body on which the jewelry was worn, the gender and age of the owner, and even the type of item.
So, if a silver chain with a pectoral cross turns black on your neck, signs will say that you have been damaged, or have been very strongly jinxed. If the silver chain on a child’s neck becomes dark, you should go to the priest as soon as possible and once again consecrate both the cross and the chain in order to protect the child from evil spirits.
A chain with a pectoral cross turned black on the neck
If silver turns black on a man’s body, it means that someone’s evil intent condemns him to the life of a bachelor. It’s the same with a young girl - if her silver jewelry suddenly turns black, it means she’s wearing the crown of celibacy.
Not only jewelry, but also household products can turn black. So, if the silverware turns black, then according to signs, evil spirits have appeared in the house. To get rid of uninvited neighbors, sprinkle the house with holy water and read a prayer.
Environment
For people living in areas with a humid climate, especially on the sea coast, blackening of the pectoral cross is common. Hydrogen sulfide quickly oxidizes silver.
In addition, water and air pollution has reached unprecedented levels. Drinking water is disinfected with chlorine, industrial enterprises produce huge amounts of sulfur compounds.
Advice: If, after swimming in a local pond, the pectoral cross turns black or there is a chemical production facility near your house and there is a smell of hydrogen sulfide, then it is better to change your place of residence.
How to care for silver
To prevent silver from turning black, jewelers coat the product with rhodium. This material protects silver, which is susceptible to sulfur compounds, and helps it remain shiny.
Caring for silver jewelry
In addition, in order to protect the precious metal from patina, you should properly care for your silver jewelry - clean and polish it regularly, remove it when taking a shower or washing dishes, and do not play sports while wearing your jewelry.
Silver should be stored in a special box or case with soft upholstery. It is best to fold jewelry so that they do not touch each other - this way you will avoid scratches and chips.
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Is rhodium dangerous for humans?
This metal was discovered by the English scientist William Hyde Wollaston during scientific research in 1803. Its name is translated from Greek as rose. The substance has a refined white color with a grayish-bluish tint. It belongs to the precious metals of the platinum group.
Rhodium has unique properties, namely that it has very high corrosion properties (this indicator is twice that of platinum), and quite high hardness, in which it is only slightly inferior to iron.