There's also the saying, "Three years of nurturing jade, ten years of jade nurturing you." So does wearing jewelry truly benefit or harm the body?
Is jewelry radioactive?
Ms. Zhang read in a magazine that wearing jewelry can unblock meridians. After reading this, she began wearing a ring daily, occasionally twisting it to "unblock" her meridians.But after a few days, she felt intense itching on her neck and hands, with redness and swelling on her hands. She searched online and found a frightening claim: jewelry is radioactive, and long-term wear can significantly increase the risk of breast and lung cancer.Miss Zhang rushed to the hospital for tests. The conclusion was that the jewelry she bought was made of alloy—fake jewelry containing nickel. People allergic to nickel can develop contact dermatitis from wearing such jewelry, causing redness, swelling, and itching.
Expert Interpretation
Gemstones Have Radiation but Are Harmless
So, do jewels truly contain radioactivity? Experts explain that jewelry's radioactivity stems from two sources: first, gemstones forming alongside radioactive materials during the Earth's crust's long-term evolution; second, certain gemstones undergoing irradiation to enhance their color.However, gemstones mined today have undergone billions of years of geological transformation, and their radioactivity has long since decayed to non-hazardous levels. Regarding artificially irradiated stones, only reputable manufacturers perform this process. After irradiation, these stones are allowed to rest for a period before being sold, ensuring their radiation poses no risk to human health.
Three Years of Nurturing Jade, Ten Years of Jade Nurturing You?
Some individuals experience allergic reactions to metal jewelry, leading them to choose jade, agate, and similar materials instead. Coupled with the saying "Three years of the wearer nurturing the jade, ten years of the jade nurturing the wearer," jade pendants have become particularly popular. Li Shizhen's Compendium of Materia Medica mentions that long-term ingestion of jade powder offers benefits such as "moistening the heart and lungs, aiding the voice and throat, and nourishing hair and skin."However, as times advance and science evolves, is this so-called "three years of nurturing jade, ten years of jade nurturing the wearer" truly accurate today?
Expert Interpretation
Humans Can Nurture Jade, but Jade Cannot Nurture Humans
Experts explain that human body temperature, sweat, and oils can benefit the structure of jade. The notion of humans nurturing jade is factual—it genuinely enhances jade's translucency and beauty.
But can jade nurture the wearer after ten years? The notion that jade or jewelry nourishes the body lacks scientific evidence. Claims that trace elements in jade are absorbed through the skin when worn remain unverified, as the state of these elements within jade remains unclear.