Orthodox cross and a rope for a cross. A universal decoration - a lace with gold inserts What materials are laces for a cross made of

Cord for a cross

For a small child, a leather lace for a cross is the best fit - it is soft and durable. Such cords have long been used in Rus' for wearing crosses, pectorals, and reliquaries. Modern leather ropes for crosses are called the Greek word "gaitan". The ends of the gaitan are equipped with jewelry locks, sometimes made of gold or silver, sometimes from gilded metal. When choosing a gaitan, carefully consider the lock, it must be durable, open and close gently, and the metal must be well processed, not scratch the skin, and not damage clothes with sharp tips.

If possible, buy a cord with a silver lock. Silver is a neutral metal, it does not cause allergies and goes well with children's silver crosses. For daily wear, we recommend a simple cotton cord. Its color has a symbolic meaning: white - the Lord Jesus Christ, green - the color of the Holy Trinity, blue - the Most Holy Theotokos, red - the Resurrection of the Lord (Easter) and the holy martyrs, black - the renunciation of sin, yellow - the color of Truth

Types of Gaitan

Laces on the lock are not only leather. They are also made from rubber, silk and cotton yarn. Leather and rubber gaitans are the most durable. It is believed that the skin in the process of wearing becomes softer, it is pleasant to the body. There are whole, simple and wicker gaitans. The silk cord is also very durable. White silk gaitans with a silver clasp will perfectly harmonize with a white silver scapular or cross.

There are special laces for babies. They are made from soft, bulky cotton yarn. These gaitans, voluminous and very soft, are small in length to fit a very tiny baby. Better if they were on a silver clasp. Silver is a soft, delicate, eco-friendly metal.

Even if this is the first time you are faced with the need to buy an infant lace for a cross and you have no idea what they look like, feel free to tell the seller that you are looking for a lace for an infant. She will give you what you need. It is this cotton, wide lace that all mothers choose.

What should be a baby lace

When choosing a cross and laces for a child, remember that he should be comfortable. The best cord is the one that is almost not felt on the body. Outwardly, it is desirable that it be simple, plain, not catchy. The cross is worn under clothing, so the colorful laces of flashy colors can be unpleasantly conspicuous in the neck of a shirt or dress.

An unpretentious, modest cord will teach a child to think that a cross is not an ornament, but a testament to his faith. It is better for small children not to buy thin laces, children are mobile, and when pulled, a thin rope can cut into the body. In addition, they break faster. You also need to keep in mind the length. Gaitans come in a variety of lengths, for a child it is better to choose one so that the cross is 2-3 cm below the collarbone. Excessive length will cause inconvenience to the child.

How to take care of leather cords

The main rule is that leather products should be protected from water. Bathing a child and washing in a leather cord is not recommended. A convenient clasp will help you quickly remove it. But if, for example, a child bathes in a river in the summer, it is certainly not worth removing the cross. After bathing, the lace should be thoroughly blotted in a towel; on a warm day, in the bright sun, it will dry quickly.

In other cases, wet lace should first be wrung out in a soft cloth and then dried at room temperature. Never on a hot radiator or near a heat source. Dry skin becomes rough and cracked. If you follow these simple rules, a leather cord will serve you for a long time.

Design fantasy comes up with new jewelry, combining all kinds of materials with different textures, which allows you to create original jewelry. One of these unusual options are jewelry laces with gold inserts. They very quickly began to appear in many people of different ages and genders, because thanks to their concise and stylish look, they allow you to wear even very expensive pendants with everyday things. Jewelry laces made of genuine leather and rubber are especially appreciated by men, who are rarely seen with gold jewelry around their necks.

Such concise products look less catchy and at the same time incredibly stylish. In addition, a lace with a small gold pendant or inserts harmoniously looks on the child, becoming his first expensive piece of jewelry. Affordable cost and universal appearance make jewelry laces with gold elements and inserts an object of desire for many people. There are many advantages to this jewelry option, but there are several serious problems that the owner of such a product will face.

Pros and cons of using leather and rubber laces

Leather has long been used to create decorative neck jewelry. Moreover, according to historians, it was on leather laces that ancient people hung various amulets and talismans, believing that they would protect them from dangers. And the inhabitants of ancient India and China wore precious stones in this way to emphasize their social status. In Christian times, such products were often used as a gaitan - a lace on which a cross is hung. This tradition is still alive today.

The main advantage of leather jewelry laces with gold inserts is that they can be safely worn every day. This decoration, made of high-quality natural leather, will not cause allergic reactions in a person and will not rub the delicate skin on the neck. The appearance of this piece of jewelry will always be stylish and modern, no matter what outfit you choose.

But due to regular wear, over time, unpleasant transformations can occur with leather laces. Among the most common problems, experts identify the following:

  • coarsening of the leather surface of the laces;
  • the appearance of a specific smell;
  • deformation;
  • breaks.

With frequent wear of this jewelry with pendants, leather laces can fray at the point of contact with the gold pendant. In addition, often they are torn at the points of attachment to the castle. This warning is especially true for smooth laces, consisting of one thin leather strip. But even woven options, consisting of several smooth ribbons intertwined with each other, can become unusable over time. Therefore, when buying a leather lace with a gold clasp or precious inserts, you need to remember that this item is of the same gentle care as, say, expensive leather shoes or a jacket.

Rubber jewelry laces are also widely used. This material does not cause allergic reactions and is highly durable. At the same time, rubber laces are very elastic, which makes them a convenient option for neck decoration. The advantage of this version of the jewelry is that it is able to restore its shape after physical impact and deformation. For this, a rubber cord with a gold clasp is loved as a children's decoration. It has a matte and slightly velvety surface, against which gold inserts and pendants shine especially brightly.

The disadvantages of rubber laces include their relative fragility. This piece of jewelry will not survive daily wear for a long period. The following factors have the most devastating effect on rubber:

  • water;
  • high temperatures;
  • perfumery;

If the rubber lace is constantly subjected to tests of negative factors, it will soon harden, become brittle and may break in the area of ​​\u200b\u200battaching with a suspension element.

Rules for choosing leather laces with gold inserts

In appearance, leather jewelry bases are divided into smooth and woven options. Products of the first type are created in several stages. First, they are cut from a single sheet of genuine leather, then they are additionally shaped and then dyed. If you managed to purchase a high-quality leather smooth lace, then you can periodically take a shower in it or, say, swim in the sea, since in this sense it is stronger than the rubber “colleague”.

But we are talking about a rare wetting of the material. If you often expose it to wetness and then dry, the lace will quickly deteriorate. Although this is not the most common reason for the need to replace the product. Three-quarters of all such cases are due to the fact that the paint does not withstand: it scratches and cracks in the place where the pendant constantly hangs.

In turn, braided leather laces are more resistant to external stimuli. When they are created, each individual smooth cord is separately covered with paint, after which they are woven into one product. Due to this, when worn on it, defects such as scuffs and scratches are less common. The advantage of these models is that they do not stretch over time, and their structure does not become brittle. Take a special look at leather wickerwork with gold accents made in Spain, India or Austria. Manufacturers from these countries often strengthen the cords by passing kapron or nylon threads inside them. With this model, you can be calm about the gold pendant, because even if the leather weave breaks, the inner thread will protect the jewelry from loss.

When choosing leather jewelry laces with gold inserts in a store, pay attention to the following product characteristics:

  • appearance;
  • reaction to water
  • naturalness of materials;
  • fastener strength;
  • perfection of gold inserts.

Ask the seller to provide you with a quality certificate to make sure that the product is made of high quality materials.

If you have already purchased a leather cord or have been given it as a gift, and you have doubts about its quality, you can conduct a simple experiment at home. It is important for you to know his reaction to the aquatic environment. Put the product in a container with warm water. If the lace does not deform from water and does not color the water, then its quality is excellent. Otherwise, we do not recommend wearing such an ornament, since in the summer, in the heat, under the influence of active sweating, such a lace can easily stain your neck.

Visually evaluate the appearance of the laces. Their surface should be evenly colored, and the leather bands should be as perfectly shaped as possible. Some occasional ribbon-shaped flaws are acceptable, but few and should be almost invisible. Make sure they sell you real genuine leather, not an artificial substitute. At home, checking this is quite simple - set it on fire from the edge in an inconspicuous place. If a characteristic smell of burnt skin appears, then you have not been deceived.

Key points when choosing rubber jewelry laces

They generally don't need as much scrutiny as genuine leather options. Their surface is almost always smooth and flawless. In the case of these jewelry, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:

  • length;
  • the strength of the gold clasp;
  • design.

Depending on the length and width of a person's neck, various neck ornaments are suitable for him. It is advisable to go to a jewelry store knowing exactly what size suits you best. To do this, take a simple thread and tie it around your neck in front of a mirror, changing the length to determine which option suits you best. If you have a measuring tape at home, then measure the sample that suits you. Otherwise, just cut off the required length and go to the store with this piece.

Pay close attention to the quality of the gold clasp, as it will be responsible for the safety of your lace and precious pendant if you plan to wear it. Most often, these models use a clasp in the form of a carabiner. They are easy to unfasten and self-fasten. Test how comfortable it will be for you to fasten the rubber cord with gold elements on yourself.

Be sure to test the lock in the store. Make sure that the lock tongue does not sink, that the spring works flawlessly.

The issue of jewelry design depends entirely on your personal preferences. It can be a laconic rubber chain with small gold inserts or an item decorated with precious beads and a gold pendant. The range of jewelry laces is so wide that each person can choose a piece of jewelry to their liking.

Combination with wardrobe

The versatility of jewelry laces made of leather or rubber with gold accents is that they can be worn on almost any occasion with different styles of clothing. For example, if you do not cling a precious pendant to it, but limit yourself to small golden inclusions, then it will fit perfectly into your everyday outfit. A white T-shirt, a sweatshirt, a leather jacket-leather jacket, and any other wardrobe item that fits the definition of smart casual style will look great with them.

If you have the financial means, then get some gold pendants that you can wear to various events on this jewelry cord. This will create the impression of a new decoration every time. And this is one of the main advantages of leather or rubber laces: they allow a person to save on a gold chain and acquire a variety of precious pendants.

With one basic cord and several pendants in your arsenal, you can create a new look every time, adjusting it to the chosen ensemble.

You can change the design of the laces using the following decor:

  • pendants;
  • beads made of precious materials;
  • separate removable gold elements.

If in everyday style everything depends on your personal preferences, then is it worth wearing a jewelry cord to work? In this case, you need to be based on the rules of each particular company.

In some cases, there is a place for rubber laces in tandem with an evening dress at social events. In these cases, designers advise women to wear elaborate multi-layered necklaces made of rubber, which will meet gold inserts. In addition, it is permissible to wear one laconic cord, decorated with a massive gold pendant inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones.

In particular, jewelers often use jasper, rock crystal and cubic aquamarine for such items. From precious stones, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and other bright options are used. They look very nice on a short lace, encircling a woman's neck, as a choker necklace. But such a decoration is by no means suitable for all beauties. Ideally, it will look on a long, slender neck, which the choker will emphasize. But for those who have a short neck, it is better to refrain from such a decision, since the line near the throat will visually "cut" it even more.

when you baptized a baby, did you put a cross on a chain or on a rope? and where to get the rope .... and got the best answer

Reply from ~¦~ [email protected] ¦ [email protected]~¦~[guru]
On a string, sold in the church.)

Answer from Yovetlana Duckling[guru]
on a rope, in churches for sale. Multicolored.


Answer from Aleksandrovich[guru]
the rope is called a gaitanchik. costs 10 rubles. sold in any church shop


Answer from Your Personal Variety of Heroin[guru]
an ordinary cross on a string, and a gold one on a chain


Answer from Ekaterina Mertsalova[newbie]
in the church, an ordinary cross on a string.


Answer from firm persistent[guru]
where they baptize, take it there!


Answer from Mara[guru]
rope. sold in the church. but I had mine. a doctor by profession, a dense thread that is used in operations ... hung this one. And so, in churches they sell in quality very similar to my thread ...


Answer from Vvvera[guru]
Everything in the church is for sale. And then we removed the rope from the baby. Because it's not about the rope and the cross.


Answer from Green CHEL 🙂[guru]
rope, we sell in the church


Answer from Ekaterina Fedotova[guru]
On a special rope like this)) My mother-in-law and my godmother gave me /// Everything in the church is for sale


Answer from Dasha[guru]
on a rope. it is sold in the church.


Answer from Olga[guru]
Gaitan (rope with a lock) in the church bought! And they put on a silver cross at baptism. True, he does not wear it now, does not want to, takes it off.


Answer from Єialka[guru]
Gaitans are sold in the church shop. I baptized the children as small ones, of course, I hung a cross on the gaitan, the chain can break, it is inconvenient. The eldest still walks with a gaitan, the youngest has a cross hanging on the bed.


Answer from Alexa Kosum[newbie]
near the church, as a rule, there is a church shop 9 (small shop) where you can buy a rope. supposedly a rope


Answer from Olympic Hope[guru]
in the temple they immediately sell with a ribbon

Since ancient times, every Christian in Rus', whether a prince, a merchant or a simple peasant, wore chains made of gold, silver or cheaper metals, as well as laces made of various materials, to keep this attribute around his neck. Another name for them is gaitans. What materials are modern laces for crosses made of? How to choose a quality gaitan? The answers to these and other questions are given in the article below.

Types of laces

Depending on the material of manufacture, the following laces for crosses are distinguished:

  • silk;
  • textile;
  • silicone;
  • rubber;
  • leather.

Silk lace is the best choice when it comes to gaitan for a child. This material has a delicate texture, but at the same time it is practical to use. In addition, silk laces can be of various colors.

Another version of the gaitan material for a child is such a lace around the neck for a cross, most often you can buy it directly in a church shop. It is practical to wear. If the textile cord gets dirty, then when the child is bathed, it goes through the washing process and becomes clean again. Like silk ones, these gaitans can be dyed in different colors. Cotton lace with a clasp has the lowest cost compared to the rest.

Appeared relatively recently, when it became fashionable to "combine the incongruous." This material is soft, elegant and durable. Silicone is not afraid of moisture. The surface of such a lace always remains glossy and does not lose its attractiveness over time.

The last two types of neck laces - leather and rubber - are the most popular. Therefore, a separate section will be devoted to each of them below.

Leather lace

The main features of leather laces are practicality and versatility. Such gaitans are durable, aesthetic and reliable. Due to the fact that leather is a natural material, these laces have the following properties:

  • Moisture resistance. Leather gaitans are treated with a special compound that repels water. This prevents moisture from getting inside the cross stitch.
  • Flexibility. Thanks to this property, the appearance of the gaitan remains attractive throughout the entire period of use.
  • Strength and wear resistance.

Leather laces can be of various designs. A wicker thick gaitan is suitable for a massive heavy cross. In tandem with an elegant cross, a thin leather lace will look neat and stylish.

Gaitan made of this material will go well with almost any clothing, so it is ideal for everyday use.

rubber lace

From rubber, both young people and older people wear it with pleasure. Such gaytans are simple and concise. They can be worn by men, women and children. Rubber laces have the following advantages:

  • Flexibility. Due to their elasticity, such gaitans are reliable. They stretch but don't tear.
  • Softness. This quality provides comfort when using a rubber lace.
  • Matte. The smooth surface of the gaitan without gloss looks noble and stylish.
  • Low price.


The disadvantages of rubber laces include the possibility of allergic reactions to this material in people with particularly sensitive skin. Another disadvantage of using such a gaitan is that it hardens when exposed to moisture. This means that before water procedures, the rubber lace must be removed.

Lace or chain?

When buying a pectoral cross, a person often asks himself the question: what is better to wear it on - on a chain or on a cord? There is no clear answer. The main thing is the fact of the presence of a cross on the neck of a Christian. And on what it will be suspended - it does not matter. Indeed, since ancient times, Christians have used both laces and chains to wear a cross. It depended on the social status of the person and his well-being.

If we are talking about a child, then, of course, you should opt for a gaitan. Moreover, it is recommended to purchase laces for crosses made of silk or textiles. The chain, due to its rigidity, can cause discomfort to the delicate neck of the baby and even leave chafing. Plus, it can break easily.

How to choose a lace for a cross?

For the correct choice of a gaitan, first of all, it is necessary to designate the material from which it should be made. How to choose a lace for a gold cross? In this case, a leather gaitan or a rubber product with gold inserts will look good. A leather cord is ideal for a silver pectoral cross. Moreover, the more massive the piece of jewelry, the thicker the gaitan should be for it. A wooden cross will harmoniously look both on a leather cord, and on a rubber or silicone one. For a child, you need to purchase a gaitan made of textiles or silk.

The next step is to determine the required length of the lace for the cross. The minimum value of this indicator is 40 cm, the maximum is 70. Children's laces for crosses should be 40 or 45 centimeters long. For teenagers and fragile girls, the appropriate size is 50 cm. Fifty-five centimeters is the optimal length for a female gaitan. And finally, the size of the men's lace for the cross should be 60 or 70 cm.

Conclusion

Gaitan is used to wear a pectoral cross around the neck. Such a lace can be made of various materials, each of which has certain advantages and disadvantages. For children, gaitans made of textiles or silk are most often purchased. Among adults, the most common are rubber or leather laces for a cross. For the correct choice of a gaitan, two main parameters should be determined - material and length.

After buying a pectoral cross, a novice Christian often wonders whether it is worth buying a chain of the corresponding metal for it, or is it still better to buy a cord for a cross? The basis for these reflections is most often given by church conversations, after listening to which, we can conclude that the cross on a cord is an older, and therefore pious tradition. First, you should know that even in the early followers of Jesus, not only did they prefer laces around their necks for a cross, but they also used chains for the same purpose: it depended on material wealth and social status. The chain is one of the oldest types of jewelry, and therefore it is incorrect to consider that it is an invention of the last centuries. Therefore, even the most pious believer can buy a lace for a pectoral cross, starting from his own preferences, and not from the myth of the non-existent "grace" of this accessory.

In what cases is it better to buy a lace for a cross?

Most often, those to whom it suits the style of clothing more often stop their choice on a lace around the neck for a cross: these are fans of boho, ethnic and similar styles. In turn, lovers of the classics prefer to wear pectoral crosses on chains: you must admit that a cross on a lace does not go well with a strict business suit or stilettos. Those who nevertheless chose the first option should know what types of neck laces for a cross exist. So, in online stores and icon shops you can buy laces for an Orthodox cross made from the following materials:

  • Nylon
  • Cotton
  • Lurex
  • Rubber

Cords made from these materials come in different colors, which means that they can be changed depending on the color of the clothing. Z

and due to the fact that the lace for the cross on the neck does not injure the skin, it is recommended to buy it for children; in addition, it will be an excellent way out for those who suffer from allergies to metals.

Buy a leather lace for a cross: what is a gaitan and a choker?

Those who want to buy a lace for an Orthodox cross may come across terms that are unfamiliar to the average buyer, such as a gaitan or a choker. These are similar concepts - this is the name of neck jewelry made from different materials and intended for wearing pendants. They are distinguished from ordinary lace by the presence of a silver or gold clasp, and sometimes additional decorations - for example, beads and curved plates made of the corresponding metal.

Nowadays, the choice in favor of a neck lace for a cross is no longer determined by financial wealth: a high-quality woven leather choker or gaitan, equipped with a clasp and jewelry made of precious metals, can cost no less than a silver or gold chain of light weight.

Similar posts