Gaitan is a lace around the neck, a rope, a braid for wearing a cross, pendant, pendant, scapular or amulet, represented by many varieties. It is sometimes extremely difficult to choose a gaitan for a cross. At the moment, for the manufacture of gaitans, several types of jewelry laces are used: leather, silk, textile, nylon, rubber, silicone.
Leather cord for a cross, pendant, amulet
Leather lace around the neck will be a great addition to any casual look. Natural material is pleasant to the body and has an excellent appearance. It is vulnerable to oils, salts and moisture, mechanical damage in contact with the sharp edges of the suspension, fats and elevated temperatures. If there are no changes on silk laces
so obvious, then with accessories made of genuine leather and leather inserts, extreme care must be taken.
The catalog of the online store offers women's and men's models of leather laces for a cross of the following varieties:
- Gaitans with smooth pressed leather laces
- Gaitans with braided leather laces
In the manufacture of smooth products, whole leather sheets are cut into separate strips, which are further subjected to additional coloring and molding. High quality leather gaitan easily withstands bath procedures and long
showering, swimming in sea and fresh water. Compared to silicone and rubber, it is characterized by increased tensile strength. But frequent wetting and drying are the main causes of product deformation.
In gaitan, leather elements are most often replaced as soon as noticeable abrasions from
suspension. The loss of the original appearance of the cord and the appearance of scuffs is a good reason to replace the decorative element. To prolong the service life of the accessory, it is enough to remove it for the period of showering, sports training, sleep, when visiting the pool or sauna.
A braided jewelry lace is distinguished by a higher quality of workmanship. Most of these accessories are handmade. The leather strap is dyed. Composing the weave, the elements of the cord are the least susceptible to external influences. Manufacturers use nylon or nylon threads as an amplifier. Damage to the outer braid, in this case, will not lead to the complete destruction of the product and the loss of the suspension. Wicker leather gaitan least susceptible to stretching.
Gaitan with silk cord
Silk lace - the most reliable lace, as it is based on nylon. This gives it elasticity and softness. Silk gaitan does not lose its color brightness when visiting rooms with high levels of humidity and temperature, and sweat and dirt are removed from the material when a person takes a shower. The jewelry does not require specific care, it attracts with its availability and wide color palette. Silk lace for a cross is often purchased for children.
Gaitan with rubber lace
Rubber laces for a cross are not suitable for intensive use, as they lose their elasticity and become brittle when perfume, moisture and sweat get on the surface of the product. No less detrimental to rubber is the temperature effect. Rubber gaitan can cause an allergic reaction.
In the online store site you can choose and buy a lace for a cross that suits you. And a large selection of gaytans and low prices will pleasantly please.
Some people do not like to wear chains with pectoral crosses, and some are scared off by the high price of gold and silver jewelry. In this case, crosses, scapulars and amulets can be hung on special ropes called gaitans. For a simple aluminum, copper or wooden cross, a linen, cotton (or other durable material) gaitan with or without a brass, steel or cupronickel clasp is suitable. But for gold and silver crosses, they usually choose ropes with clasps coated with silver and gilding, or entirely from precious metals: usually from silver - blackened, gilded or ordinary, but there are also gold locks, they are often taken by adults.
A leather gaitan is a great solution for a man who was presented with a massive pectoral cross. It is only important that the clasp is made of the same metal as the cross or harmoniously combined with it, for example, for a cross made of combined or white gold, you can buy a gaitan with a silver carbine. The weight of the lock usually determines the price of the product. There are original clasps in the form of a ring, suitable for the combination of a cross with a scapular. The most expensive option is a gaitan with a lock made of gold, the larger it is, the more expensive the product. The classic masculine color of a gaitan is black, especially if it is leather. But textile options can be dark blue, gray, brown.
A silk gaitan will suit a young woman wearing a small cross or a child. Silk is very durable, so the rope will not break and will not cause trouble to the owner or owner. Silk cord can be ordinary and twisted, whatever you like. The thickness is also different, 1.5 mm is chosen for kids, 2 mm for older children, teenagers and women, but for men, twisted or woven silk gaitans from 2.5 mm are suitable.
Rubber gaitan is an excellent modern solution for children, teenagers and youth. Most often it is a classic black color, but there are also colored, rather acidic shades. The category of elastic gaytans also includes transparent silicone cords, usually very thin with miniature clasps, they are usually taken by babies.
Textile gaitans are a wonderful and basic option for children, including babies. They practically do not rub the neck and are available in a rich palette of colors. There are red, yellow, black, white, blue, and even two-color strings for pectoral crosses. Of course, it is better to choose a soft color (after all, the cross will be worn on the body under clothing, and not in plain sight) - white, light blue or light pink, beige and other calm pastel colors. Textiles can be hypoallergenic (polyester or nylon cord) or impregnated cotton. Locks are diverse in shape and material, most often these are ordinary carabiners in the form of a ring (springel) or a drop, screw or completely one-piece, there are also original difficult-to-unfasten forms.
Gaitan is selected in length in the same way as the chain. Toddlers under 3 years old fit 40 cm cord, children 3-10 years old need to choose a length of 45 cm, teenagers and girls should choose a cord of 50 cm, classic female length 50-55 cm is also suitable for young men. For men, depending on the physique and the desired height of wearing the cross, a gaitan with a length of 55 to 70 cm is chosen.
For the baptism of a child, they always buy a pectoral cross, after which a dilemma arises: what is better for the baby - an expensive chain of gold or silver, or is it worth limiting yourself to a rope with a clasp.
We still recommend a cord for a baby up to 7 years old, no matter if it is bright or pastel colors to match the color of the christening clothes. Even if you bought a gold or silver cross, you need to take into account that babies, firstly, grow quickly and in a couple of years they will need a different length of the product, and secondly, they still don’t know how to control themselves, so they break chains and lose pectoral crosses.
When the child grows up, you can already give him a chain (or you can buy a gift for a baby, but choose the length "for growth", and up to 5-7 years the baby will wear a cross on a string). Here it is important to guess not only with the length, but also with weaving. Anchor, lozenge, shell, as well as lace, cord and double anchor are great options for both boys and girls (and all ages), but Singapore braid and snakes are best avoided, as chains with such a weave are brittle and unreliable. Aerial lava and nonna are also suitable for girls, and machine bismarck for boys.
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Even in Ancient Russia, every Christian, regardless of his position in society, wore a cross on his chest. For this they used chains made of various metals, or laces, which were called gaitans. Nowadays, this accessory can be seen on the neck of both young people and older people. How to choose a gaitan for a cross? What kind of lace is right for you? The answers to these questions can be found in the article below.
For the manufacture of laces, the following materials are used:
Silk cord for a cross is perfect for a child. Such material has a delicate texture, but at the same time it is very practical in use. Another plus is that silk laces come in a variety of colors.
Also, gaitans for babies can be made of cotton fabric. Such laces for a cross are sold in church shops. They are practical to wear. If the textile cord gets dirty, then in the process of bathing the child, it is cleaned of dirt. Like silk, such a gaitan can be of any color. Cotton laces have the lowest cost compared to the rest.
Silicone laces began to be used not so long ago, when the principle of “combining the incongruous” became fashionable. Such material for gaitan is characterized by elegance, softness, but at the same time strength. He is not afraid of moisture. The surface of such laces remains glossy for a long time, so the external attractiveness of silicone gaytans is not lost throughout the entire period of use.
The most popular shoelace materials are leather and rubber. Each of these will be covered in a separate section below.
The main advantages of leather laces are versatility and practicality. Such gaitans are reliable, aesthetic and durable. Leather is a natural material. That is why these laces have the following characteristics:
Leather gaitans can be of various designs. When choosing, remember that in tandem with a massive heavy cross, a braided thick lace will look great. And a thin leather gaitan is suitable for an elegant cross. It will look stylish and neat.
A leather cross stitch cord is the perfect addition to almost any look. That is why such a gaitan is recommended for everyday wear.
A rubber lace for a cross can be seen both in a young person and in an older person. After all, such gaytans are distinguished by simplicity and conciseness. Both women and men wear them with pleasure. Rubber laces have the following advantages:
However, rubber laces also have disadvantages. For example, people who have particularly sensitive skin may experience an allergic reaction to this material. Another disadvantage of using a rubber gaitan is the hardening of such a lace when moisture gets on it. That is why it is recommended to remove the gaitan for the cross before performing water procedures.
Having acquired a pectoral cross, a person most often wonders what to add to it - with a lace or a chain? There is no exact answer. The fundamental fact is that a cross is present on the chest of a Christian. And what will be used to hold it around the neck is completely irrelevant. After all, Christians have used both chains and laces since ancient times. The choice depended on the well-being of a particular person and on his position in society.
In our time, this issue should be guided only by practical points. For example, for a child it is better to choose not a chain, but a gaitan. Moreover, textiles or silk should act as a material for manufacturing. A rigid metal chain can cause a feeling of discomfort in the baby and even rub his delicate neck. Also, a child can easily tear it.
The lace must be chosen, primarily based on the material from which it is made. What gaitan to choose for a cross made of gold? In this case, it is better to purchase a product made of leather or rubber. You should pay attention to the cord for the cross with a gold clasp and inserts of the same metal. Jewelry made of silver will look perfect on a leather cord. It should be remembered that the thickness of the acquired gaitan directly depends on the massiveness of the cross. A wooden product will harmoniously look on a lace made of leather, rubber or silicone. Children's gaitan should be made of silk or textile.
The next step in choosing a lace is to determine its required length. The smallest value of this parameter is 40 centimeters, the largest is 70. The length of a children's lace for a cross is 40 or 45 cm. A suitable size for a teenager or a fragile girl is 50 centimeters. The optimal length of a female lace for a cross is 55 cm. And the size of a gaytan for a man is ideally 60 or 70 centimeters.
Gaitan is an accessory for wearing a cross around the neck. Such laces can be made of different materials, each of which has certain advantages and disadvantages. For a child, it is recommended to purchase a textile or silk gaitan for a cross. A lace made of leather or rubber will appeal to any adult, regardless of age and gender. To choose a suitable gaitan, you need to pay attention to the material from which it is made and the length of the product.
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. Firstly, 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 the chain for the same purpose: it depended on material wealth and social status. The chain is one of the oldest varieties 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.
Most often, those who are more suited to the style of clothing 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:
Cords made from these materials are different colors, which means that they can be changed depending on the color of the clothes. W
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.
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 leather-woven choker or gaitan, equipped with a clasp and jewelry made of precious metals, can cost no less than a silver or gold chain small weight.
A novice Orthodox Christian who buys a cross for himself may think: is it better to buy a cord for a cross or a chain? Advice on this issue can often be given by saleswomen, all-knowing Internet advisers, friends and relatives. Some will advise you to buy a chain to be like everyone else, others begin to convince you that a lace for a cross around your neck is much better, that the tradition of wearing a cross on a lace dates back to the first centuries of Christianity, that a cross was worn in this form before the revolution and in Russia, and therefore so more correct. In fact, these tips have no logical ground, since both in the first centuries of Christianity and in pre-revolutionary Russia there were both richer people who wore crosses on precious metal chains, and poor people who could only afford to buy a leather lace for a cross, or independently make textile.
An Orthodox priest will not tell you anything here if you approach him with such a question. Most likely, he will simply be surprised and say that it is up to you to decide whether to wear a Russian Orthodox cross on a lace or on a chain, because it is absolutely not important. It is important that the pectoral cross be on the person, and what to hang it on is a second-order question. Many people decide to buy a lace for a church cross because of its softness: in particular, this choice is usually made by the parents of a baptized baby, because a chain, even the softest one, can painfully dig into the child’s delicate neck with links and cause him serious discomfort. Buying a leather lace for an Orthodox cross is often decided by men who wear large silver crosses, because the leather lace is in perfect harmony with silver.
It used to be considered that cross stitch laces, especially knotted ones, are a purely masculine accessory, since they look rude. But today's jewelry industry offers us elegant laces around the neck for a Russian Orthodox cross with gold or. Such laces are produced in different thicknesses, which makes it possible to choose it even for the most sophisticated pectoral cross. You can buy a cord for a cross with clasps made of precious metals at any jewelry store.
