Chemical composition
Crosses are made from alloys of different metals, so the color change is an oxidation reaction. Most often, items made of silver, bronze, brass, low-grade gold and copper turn black (a large percentage of copper appears on the cross as a greenish coating). Non-precious metal alloys simply darken.
Tip: Don't panic if your cross turns black. Silver items can be cleaned, replaced with another material (gold, wood, leather) or purchased with a blackened cross.
The role of the forces of darkness in the blackening of the cross
Popular beliefs say that silver crosses turn black when a person is jinxed. The opinion is controversial, since the official church does not recognize the concept of corruption. It is associated with pagan views of the world.
Many people blame dark forces for the appearance of a dark coating on silver.
However, the priests recognize that the Lord can give believers signs that help them navigate in life and choose the right path. Could the blackening of the crucifix be such a sign?
Alternative medicine doctors say it can. Silver has antibacterial properties. The Romans noticed them when they began to take exclusively silver dishes on campaigns.
This is how the army team got rid of diarrhea and poisoning. The water was infused in silver cups and flasks and only then drank. In the 19th century, Karl Nägel explained the disinfecting properties of metal.
The botanist discovered its ions in solutions. They kill bacteria and fungi, and selectively. Silver does not “touch” beneficial microorganisms. Of the harmful metals, the metal affects 650 species.
Even broad-spectrum antibiotics fight a maximum of 15 bacteria. So, the blackening of silver, according to healers, is a signal of problems in the body.
Internal problems include inflammatory processes, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, and liver. The cross receives “information” about their diseases through the skin.
We'll talk about how in the next chapter. In the meantime, let us note that people consider the evil eye and illness to be not the only answers to the question of why a silver cross on the body turns black . The change in its color is also explained by human vulnerability.
Medically speaking, this is a time of decreased immunity and a weakened nervous system. At these moments, as a rule, the hormonal balance is rearranged. By the way, this is the scientific explanation for why the silver cross on the neck turns black . Let's get acquainted with the arguments of physiologists.
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 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.
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.
The connection between blackening the cross and science
Silver tends to turn black even when away from the human body. Just look at the antique white metal products. There was no trace left of their whiteness. The cause of darkening is contact of the metal with moisture and a number of chemical elements.
If gold and platinoids are chemically inert and refuse to interact with other substances, then silver is chemically more active.
This activity is expressed in dissociation in hot acids, mercury and oxidation. The latter reaction is not possible upon contact with pure oxygen. However, in the presence of ozone and ultraviolet light, the interaction is triggered.
Silver turns black when in contact with moisture and many chemical elements
As soon as it starts, it is blocked. Once formed on the surface, silver oxide prevents oxygen, ozone and ultraviolet from reaching the lower layers. In other words, the dark film protects products from complete destruction. The coating is called patina.
Since patina is always present on antique jewelry, some modern jewelry is also artificially aged. By the way, crosses with an oxidized layer are also sold. This does not mean that the symbols of faith are inherently cursed. If jewelers had not tried to accelerate the natural oxidation of silver, the metal would have been sparkling white.
Those who are not satisfied with the antique appearance of silver items clean them at home or take them to jewelry workshops. The decorations shine for a while. Afterwards, they gradually begin to become covered with patina.
Needs cleaning again. The problem is that some people's crosses darken in a matter of days. Such speed confuses and makes one think about dark forces and diseases with a rapid course. However, there is a scientific explanation for the rapid oxidation of silver.
The most powerful oxidizing agent for silver is divalent sulfur. The reaction with it starts in a humid environment. Are you cleaning your ears? The accumulation of sulfur in them is proof of its presence in the human body.
Nutritionists call the element a “beauty mineral.” Sulfur deficiency leads to dull hair and sagging skin. The fact is that the element is part of keratin. This is the main building element of skin, hair, and nails.
Sulfur is included in a number of amino acids, is involved in protein synthesis, and is part of insulin. In general, the substance is distributed throughout the body and is partially excreted in sweat. The latter is the same humid environment necessary for the oxidation reaction of silver.
It becomes clear why the silver cross on the body turns black . Some people are particularly sweaty. This can be associated with diseases, for example, hyperhidrosis.
Sometimes, excess sweat is a consequence of physical activity. Additionally, some people naturally produce more sebum and moisture. The process is aggravated during pregnancy.
Hormonal changes are underway. Because of her and concern for the child, women carrying a child are often suspicious. Seeing a sharply blackened cross, they panic and run to their grandmothers to remove the evil eye.
Meanwhile, the condition of pregnant women is worsened only by the experiences that they spend their nerves on. In order to protect yourself from torment, you can treat silver items in advance. There are several ways to block the formation of patina on them. More on this later.
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.
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.
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.
How to avoid blackening of a silver cross?
The answer to the question why a silver chain with a cross turns black may be the lack of proper processing of the jewelry. Most often they are subjected to white boiling.
The products are placed in a bubbling solution of hydrochloric and sulfuric acids. None of them dissolve silver. The interaction only produces a colorless protective film on the metal surface. This is the same patina, but invisible to the eye.
Considering the danger of working with acids, white boiling is preferably carried out in jewelry workshops and laboratories. Other methods of processing silver are also unacceptable for home use. We are talking about galvanization and rhodium plating.
The latter not only blocks the formation of oxides, but also increases the wear resistance of jewelry. Rhodium is harder than silver. Metal spraying saves silver items from annoying scratches. However, rhodium has a bluish tint and can transfer this to the cross.
Galvanizing silver involves covering it with the same silver, only pure. The reactivity of jewelry is largely due to the presence of copper in it. It is indicated by silver samples.
The numbers on the products indicate the percentage of white metal in them. The rest is a ligature necessary to strengthen the jewelry. Pure silver, like gold, is too soft and ductile. But, in the form of a thin film on the surface of standard products, it is only useful.
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 causes silver to turn black? Folk signs and beliefs
Unfortunately, from time immemorial, jewelry has been associated with dozens of superstitions - for every metal or shiny stone, folk rumors have come up with dozens, if not hundreds of magical properties. The inability to explain physical phenomena has led to the emergence of a huge number of myths, and silver is perhaps the most “stigmatized” hero here.
The European superstitious tradition associates the darkening of metals with dark forces, which are thus trying to reach the owner of the jewelry with their furry, clawed paws. Here are just a few examples from traditional Christian culture:
- The silver cross turned black - a curse for committing a mortal sin.
- If the chain on your neck or the earrings in your ears darken greatly, they are trying to put the evil eye on you or bewitch you with witchcraft.
- The silver on the finger turns black - a terrible omen for a young unmarried girl; heaven has destined for her a crown of celibacy.
- If a dark coating appears on silver dishes or cutlery, a brownie or unclean spirit has entered the home, the house needs to be sanctified with prayers.
For centuries, blackened silver jewelry was simply thrown into a river or abyss, and the unfortunate owner had to go to church, confess his sins, and only then buy a new item. Fortunately, in the modern world you don’t need to be so wasteful - it’s enough to trust scientists who have managed to prove everything experimentally.
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.
The beauty and magic of metal
Since ancient times, silver has been famous not only for its beauty, but also for its magical properties. There are cases when products made of this metal suddenly darkened, and after a few hours the color was restored. But more often they remained in this form for a long time (1).
In ancient Rus', such changes were considered a sign that the owner had committed a bad act and the consequences of this act were very serious. Basically, this belief extended to crosses and chains on the body, because people believed that the blackness of an action falls on the silver. If the chain on which the pectoral cross was worn turned black, then the owner would be tested for possession.
Residents of the East believed that a silver item darkens when a person manages to avoid the danger that threatens him. And his faith in signs and attentive attitude to his inner voice helped him in this.
It was not for nothing that before a long journey it was customary to put on some kind of silver jewelry, and then observe its “behavior.” If the metal began to darken, the route was urgently changed, and sometimes the trip was canceled altogether.
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.
