Benefits and Taboos of Wearing Silver Jewelry
Silver jewelry is commonly worn in daily life and has been beloved for centuries. For instance, when a child turns one month old, parents or elders often choose silver bracelets as a gift. Likewise, children give silver bracelets to their elders as a gesture of filial piety.
When wearing silver bracelets, it's important not only to understand their benefits but also to be mindful of certain taboos. Many people wear silver jewelry regularly without knowing its advantages and precautions. Here’s a closer look:
I. Benefits of Wearing Silver Jewelry
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Protection and Well-being Wearing pure silver is believed to bring health and prosperity. According to Compendium of Materia Medica, silver can calm the five organs, stabilize the mind, ease palpitations, and dispel evil spirits. Therefore, many people wear silver jewelry for health reasons, believing it can ward off evil, calm the mind, and protect against illness, ensuring safety for children.
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Antibacterial and Disinfectant Properties Silver has excellent antibacterial and germicidal properties, capable of eliminating over 650 types of bacteria. Among all metals, silver has the most prominent thermal conductivity, helping to disperse body heat effectively and prevent various diseases. Silver can also disinfect and reduce inflammation, accelerating the healing process when in contact with skin wounds and preventing infections.
II. Taboos of Wearing Silver Jewelry
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Avoid Wearing Silver and Gold Together Although silver and gold jewelry are fashionable and beautiful, many people mistakenly wear them together. The two materials can easily rub against each other, causing scratches that affect their appearance and shorten their lifespan. Over time, silver can tarnish and turn black, so it’s best not to wear silver and gold jewelry together.
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Avoid Wearing Silver Jewelry While Bathing It's common for people to forget to remove silver jewelry before showering. However, substances in body wash or soap can corrode silver, accelerating its tarnishing process. Therefore, if you're wearing silver jewelry, make sure to remove it before bathing.
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Avoid Contact with Cosmetics Many cosmetics contain mercury and sulfur. If silver jewelry comes into contact with these substances, it may turn into black silver sulfide, which not only affects its appearance but also diminishes its effectiveness. Similarly, silver will tarnish if exposed to eggs, as the sulfur in egg proteins reacts with the metal.
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Avoid Contact with Ozone and Mercury Household items like ionizers and sterilizing cabinets can cause silver to turn black due to ozone exposure. It's best to store silver jewelry in a proper jewelry box. Additionally, when using a thermometer, remove any silver jewelry first to avoid chemical reactions between silver and mercury.
Aside from silver bracelets, innovations in wrist jewelry include combining silver bracelets with wooden beads to create Buddhist-style bracelets, blending Zen art with protection and peace.
