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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Evil eye, damage, unrepentant sins
Photo: Pixabay.com
Some people associate the darkening of the cross with casting the evil eye or damage. Others believe that the owner of the blackened silver item has committed a grave sin.
When putting on a cross, remember that it is not a magical talisman or amulet that will automatically protect the owner from evil forces without the participation of the person himself. You should not believe in church superstitions and old woman’s gossip; they distract from prayer and interfere with the fight against sins.
Private opinion: Father Vladimir Golovin believes that any issue must be approached with understanding. And the blackening of the cross is associated with spiritual reasons, but not for everyone.
If your pectoral cross is broken, blackened or lost, and your conscience convicts you of some sin, then go to confession.
“Simply wearing a pectoral cross is not everything. We must visit the temple of God, confess, take communion, live the life of an Orthodox Christian, then God will protect us from all evil,” says priest Dionisy Svechnikov.
Recommendations for caring for a pectoral cross
Tips to help maintain the attractiveness of silver jewelry:
- It is not recommended to take a shower, play sports, or apply cosmetics without removing the pectoral cross;
- every month it is necessary to clean the product from dirt using a soap solution, leave the decoration for 1 hour, after which you can rinse it;
- As complex contaminants appear, including blackness, more complex cleaning methods are used.
Category: question-answer
How to clean a cross with a stone?
Expert opinion
Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich
Jeweler 6th category
The most suitable and safe option is to have the product professionally cleaned. At the same time, there will be a guarantee of the correct selection of the product and removal of blackness without consequences. It is prohibited to use dry powders and other abrasive substances or objects. Among all available methods, the most suitable is the use of ammonia. It is used in pure form or an aqueous solution is prepared (1:1).
How to cleanse a cross from negative energy?
Expert opinion
Querbo Margarita
Esotericist, tarot reader, astrologer
If there are suspicions that the cross has absorbed negative energy after certain events or the old jewelry has a new owner, you can cleanse the product of black energy. To do this, use simple methods:
- solar energy: the cross is left in the sun, after a few hours it can be worn;
- salt water: the decoration is lowered into a container with liquid, sea salt is poured on top, the negative is not removed as quickly as in the previous case, it will take 3 days.
Why does the cross turn black, according to the church?
Expert opinion
Father Dmitry
Clergyman
The clergy do not recommend attributing the blackening of silver to damage or the evil eye. Such assumptions are from the evil one. In addition, it is not necessary to wear only items made of precious metals; both iron and wooden crosses are allowed. But they should have the inscription “Save and Preserve.” You should purchase a religious attribute in a church store, since a cross purchased in a store must be additionally consecrated.
Blackened silver cross
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 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.
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.
