Spring & Autumn Original Braided Cord Necklace with Imperial Cinnabar - "Joyful Fish" | When the future is full of hope, today is worth rejoicing.

A saying from Putuo: Treat yourself with kindness. Don't get angry, don't try to please others, and don't punish yourself for the mistakes of others. Smile gently, walk steadily, let go of gains and losses, cherish what you have, live fully in the moment, and honor yourself. **Original design, new handcrafted braided pendant necklace, perfect as a collarbone chain.** Each piece shown is available and in stock. **You may note your preferred cord color. If you have other ideas, feel free to send us a message.** Custom orders typically ship within 3-5 days. (All photos are taken in natural light. Colors may vary due to different equipment, weather conditions, and screen displays. Please be aware!) **> Categories of Cinnabar** Water-ground Cinnabar, Imperial Cinnabar, Purple-Gold Cinnabar, and Crystalline Cinnabar are all high-quality forms of cinnabar. Their **primary differences lie in color, texture, hardness, and manufacturing methods.** **"Water-ground Cinnabar" (水飞砂)** **A true red with a slight orange undertone, resembling "China Red." Its surface has a warm, matte luster that will become more luminous with wear, developing a natural patina.** This cinnabar is produced by repeatedly grinding fine cinnabar particles into a paste, mixing with water, letting it settle, and collecting the upper "turbid liquid." This liquid is then allowed to settle further to purify the cinnabar (the water-grinding method). The resulting cinnabar mud at the bottom is air-dried and then compressed using traditional methods. Even on a cross-section, uniform, fine mineral sparkle particles can be observed. **"Imperial Cinnabar" (帝王砂)** **A brighter, true red with higher hardness.** This cinnabar is refined through multiple processes from natural cinnabar ore, including **crushing, grinding, magnetic separation, water-grinding, and high polishing.** It is then compressed using traditional methods. Imperial Cinnabar has a lustrous surface with minimal visible mineral sparkle, though it is present internally. The exterior undergoes a **high-polishing** process, creating a metallic sheen that is especially prominent in sunlight. **"Purple-Gold Cinnabar" (紫金砂)** **A purplish-red hue with slightly lower hardness than Imperial Cinnabar.** This cinnabar is processed from natural cinnabar ore through multiple steps like **crushing, grinding, and screening**, but it **does not undergo water-grinding purification.** Consequently, its surface is less refined and features scattered, sparkling mineral particles, giving it a "starry sky" effect. **"Crystalline Cinnabar" (晶体砂)** **A translucent purplish-red color.** These are large cinnabar crystals directly chipped from the ore. The surface clearly shows large crystalline particles, which appear transparent and emit a fluorescent red glow when exposed to light. **> Spring Planting, Autumn Harvest** **In this world, any unfolding, any poetic moment, any beautiful experience often happens naturally, much like the changing of the seasons.** **Learn to slow down, clear your mind, approach life with gentleness, respect the power of time, and allow everything to grow organically. Like a tree, grow with focus and fearlessness, developing clear growth rings.** **Our craftsmanship is also like this!!** **> About Cinnabar** The earliest written records refer to cinnabar with a single character, "丹" (dān). This character is a pictograph, depicting the process of excavating a mineral from a mine. The character "丹" actually combines the character for "well" (井) with a dot in the middle, signifying the extraction of something from a mine. This "something" is cinnabar. As cinnabar is red, often a deep red, the character "朱" (zhū), also meaning red, was later added. "丹" and "朱" describe the color, while "砂" (shā) describes its shape – irregular granular mineral. The color of cinnabar is exceptionally enduring. Chinese calligraphy and painting are known as "丹青" (dānqīng), where "丹" refers to cinnabar. It is also an indispensable component of traditional pigment mixtures, such as "eight treasures seal paste." From a Feng Shui perspective, cinnabar is collected from minerals that have absorbed the essence of the sun and moon, gathering the pure energy of heaven and earth. Therefore, cinnabar possesses a powerful yang magnetic field. You might notice that jade feels cool to the touch, while cinnabar feels warm. Since ancient times, cinnabar has been essential in Taoist practices for drawing talismans, consecrating objects, warding off evil, and dispelling negative energies. It has long been regarded as a supreme item for attracting good fortune, warding off misfortune, dispelling evil, inviting blessings, and accumulating wealth. It carries auspicious meanings of supreme luck, wealth, and well-being. The "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing" (Classic of Materia Medica) lists cinnabar as a superior substance, often used in medicinal treatments for its properties in calming the spirit, detoxification, and alleviating insomnia and excessive dreaming. For us living in modern times, owning one or two cinnabar artifacts can also be a way to cultivate oneself, nurturing both the eyes and the heart. **> Identification** **All cinnabar products in our store are high-content cinnabar with a substantial weight. You can use the following methods for identification:** >. Burning cinnabar will turn it black. (Please heat indirectly. It is generally not recommended to directly burn finished products, as it is difficult to control the time and area. Prolonged heating can cause irreversible blackening.) >. Genuine cinnabar can draw orangey-red lines on paper. (To avoid damaging the appearance of the finished product, please draw on an inconspicuous area or use the complimentary bead for testing.) **> Care Instructions** **Cinnabar jewelry without metal or plant-based components (such as wood, bamboo, bodhi seeds, etc.) can be in contact with water occasionally, but prolonged soaking is not recommended as it can affect the luster.** **For braided cord items, water contact is not advised. After cleaning, allow them to air dry before wearing. Wearing damp cords can lead to excessive moisture, which is not beneficial for the body.** 1. Avoid Corrosives Cinnabar is a mineral and insoluble in water. However, frequent contact with chemicals like soap and shower gel can corrode the cinnabar. 2. Avoid Contact with Metal The mineral elements in cinnabar can absorb metal ions, causing irreversible dulling or blackening of the cinnabar. 3. Avoid High Temperatures The mercuric sulfide component of cinnabar only releases at temperatures of 380 degrees Celsius. Therefore, as long as you avoid exposing cinnabar jewelry to high-temperature environments, it is safe to wear. 4. Avoid Collisions with Hard or Sharp Objects Cinnabar has high hardness but is brittle; handle with care to prevent drops. 5. How to Clean If your cinnabar appears dirty, do not soak it in water, as this can alter its original luster! Gently wipe it several times with a slightly damp cotton cloth and allow it to air dry. 6. Oil Polishing Method Apply a thin layer of white tea oil or olive oil to the surface of the finished product. Allow the surface to absorb the oil, making it more lustrous and clear. If applying oil, you can seal it in a brocade box, optionally wrapped in plastic wrap to prevent the oil from staining the box lining. 7. Frequent Handling Frequently handle the cinnabar jewelry worn on your person. This allows a thin layer of natural oils from your skin to accumulate on the surface, giving it a more antique and elegant appearance over time. The actual product is more exquisite and beautiful than the photos.