Spring & Autumn Handmade Braided Pendant | Auspicious Cloud Gourd | Emperor Sand - Wards off evil, neutralizes Tai Sui

**Original Design, Entirely Handmade. (Custom Order)** Original Ore Emperor Sand Gourd 20mm*32mm The braided cord is adjustable in length. The actual item is even more exquisite and beautiful than the photos. (All photos are taken in natural light. Colors may vary depending on the equipment, weather, and screen display. Please be aware!) **> Categories** Shuifei Sand, Emperor Sand, Zijin Sand, and Crystal Sand are all high-quality cinnabar. Their **main differences lie in color, texture, hardness, and production methods.** **"Shuifei Sand"** **A true red with a slight orange undertone. The surface has a gentle, matte luster that will become more lustrous with wear, forming a natural patina.** The production method involves repeatedly grinding fine cinnabar particles into a paste, mixing with water, letting it sit, and then collecting the upper "turbid liquid." This is allowed to settle again (the water-lifting purification method). The cinnabar mud at the bottom is then air-dried and pressed using ancient techniques. Even when cut, the interior reveals uniform, fine mineral flash particles. **"Emperor Sand"** **Possesses a more pronounced red hue with a brighter luster and higher hardness.** The production method involves a multi-step purification process from natural cinnabar ore, including **crushing/grinding/magnetic separation/water-lifting/high polishing**, followed by ancient pressing techniques. Emperor Sand has almost no external mineral flash, but it is present internally. The exterior utilizes a **high-polishing** process, creating a metallic texture that is particularly striking in sunlight. **"Zijin Sand"** **Exhibits a purplish-red color with slightly lower hardness than Emperor Sand.** The production method involves multiple steps such as **crushing/grinding/screening** from natural cinnabar ore, but **without water-lifting purification**. Consequently, the surface is less refined and contains scattered small mineral flash particles, giving a "starry sky" effect. **"Crystal Sand"** **Appears purplish-red and is translucent.** This is obtained by directly breaking large cinnabar crystals from the ore. The surfaces clearly show large crystalline grains, which become transparent under light, emitting a fluorescent red glow. **> Spring Plowing, Autumn Harvest** **All things that unfold gracefully, poetically, and beautifully in this world tend to happen naturally, much like the changing seasons.** **Learn to slow down, clear your mind, and approach life with gentleness. Respect the power of time, allowing everything to grow naturally, like a tree – focused and unafraid, developing clear growth rings.** **Our craftsmanship is no different!!** **> Cinnabar** The earliest textual records refer to cinnabar with a single character, "丹" (dān). This character is an ideogram: in ancient times, people dug mines, and extracted minerals from within these mines. Thus, the character "丹" is essentially the character "井" (jǐng, well) with a dot in the middle, signifying the extraction of something from a mined well. This "something" was cinnabar. Because cinnabar is red, often a deep red, "朱" (zhū) also means red. Later, "丹砂" (dānshā) became known as "朱砂" (zhūshā). "丹" and "朱" describe the color, while "砂" describes the shape, referring to irregular granular minerals. 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 "八宝印泥" (bā bǎo yìn ní), a traditional ink pad, whose primary ingredient is cinnabar. From a Feng Shui perspective, cinnabar is collected from minerals imbued with the essence of the sun and moon, absorbing the pure energy of heaven and earth. Therefore, cinnabar possesses a powerful positive energy field. You might notice that jade feels cool to the touch, whereas cinnabar feels warm. Since ancient times, cinnabar has been indispensable in Taoist rituals for drawing talismans, consecrating objects, warding off evil, and pacifying negative energies. It has always been regarded as a supreme item for attracting good fortune, averting misfortune, dispelling negative influences, and inviting wealth. It carries auspicious meanings of great fortune, prosperity, and well-being. The "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing" (Classic of Materia Medica) lists cinnabar as a superior herb, frequently used in medicinal treatments for calming the spirit, detoxification, and alleviating insomnia with excessive dreaming. For us living in modern times, owning a piece or two of cinnabar craftsmanship can also aid in self-cultivation, refreshing the eyes and calming the mind. **> Identification** **All cinnabar products in our store are high-content cinnabar and possess significant weight. You can use the following methods for identification:** >. Burning cinnabar will turn it black. (Please heat it indirectly. It is generally not recommended to directly burn finished products as controlling the time and area is difficult. If it turns black after prolonged exposure, it cannot be restored.) >. Genuine cinnabar can draw an orange-red line on paper. (To avoid damaging the appearance of the finished product, please choose an inconspicuous area for the scratch, or use the complimentary bead for testing.) **> Care** 1. Avoid Corrosion Cinnabar is a mineral and is insoluble in water. However, frequent contact with chemicals such as soap and shower gel can corrode cinnabar. 2. Avoid Contact with Metal Objects The mineral elements in cinnabar can absorb metal ions, causing irreversible dulling and darkening 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, you can wear it with confidence. 4. Avoid Collisions with Hard or Sharp Objects Cinnabar has a high hardness but is brittle, so be mindful of drops. 5. How to Clean If you find your cinnabar is dirty, do not soak it in water, as this will alter its original luster! You can gently wipe it a few times with a slightly damp cotton cloth and let it air dry. 6. Oiling for Maintenance Apply a layer of white tea oil or olive oil to the finished product, allowing the stone surface to absorb the oil, making it more lustrous and clear. If you apply oil and then seal it in a brocade box, you can wrap it in a layer of common plastic wrap to prevent the oil from staining the brocade lining. 7. Frequent Handling Regularly handle the cinnabar jewelry you wear with your hands. This allows a very thin layer of oil from your skin to adhere to the surface, making it appear more ancient, elegant, and refined over time. The actual item is even more exquisite and beautiful than the photos.