Incense Culture

What's the most scientific way to polish your bracelets?

Polishing beads can cultivate your mind, but it's best to avoid rushing for quick results. It's best to slowly polish them, letting the beads develop a sense of spiritual joy through their transformation. 1. Gently rub the beads with soft gloves or a pure cotton cloth for a week. 2. Then, place the bracelet in a dark place for 3-5 days to allow the beads to dry and become enamel-coated. This allows the surface to be evenly exposed to air, forming a fine, even oxide protective layer. 3. Begin polishing with your hands. Make sure your hands are freshly washed, dry, sweat-free, and odor-free. Polish for about 30 minutes a day. After two weeks of this, a thin layer of enamel coating will form on the beads. 4. Allow the beads to dry for another 3-5 days, allowing the enamel coating to harden to a certain degree. 5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 above. Well-polished beads will develop a vibrant, radiant sheen. Note: If the beads accidentally become dirty or wet, place them in a cool, dry place to dry naturally before polishing. The enamel coating will gradually become enamel-coated.

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Can I polish the incense beads directly with my hands?

Incense beads are made from various precious Chinese herbal medicines ground into powder. Avoid oil and water. It's recommended to wear gloves for a week before polishing, allowing the beads to form a patina. If you prefer not to wear gloves, you can polish them directly with your hands. However, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before polishing. Avoid applying hand cream. If you sweat easily, it's recommended to wear gloves, otherwise the surface of the incense beads will be contaminated by sweat, which can cause discoloration. Avoid wearing gloves while swimming, washing hands, or bathing.

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Is the finer the powder used in aroma beads, the better?

The incense and medicinal materials used in aroma beads generally only need to be ground to a 130-200 mesh size, which maximizes the retention of their fragrance. Pursuing a finer powder requires a high-pressure grinder. However, the physical effects of high pressure grinding can cause significant loss of oils in the incense and medicinal materials, altering their fragrance and aroma. Therefore, the idea that the finer the powder used in aroma beads, the better is merely a gimmick.

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Why do incense beads have tiny pores on their surface?

Pores are a key characteristic of incense beads. They typically appear as tiny holes on the surface, and these holes can help distinguish genuine incense beads from counterfeit ones. Authentic incense beads appear to have pores arranged in an orderly pattern, neatly defined, and finely detailed. Under a magnifying glass, handmade incense beads show varying sizes and a slightly disordered arrangement. Fake incense beads, on the other hand, lack obvious pores, lack the grainy texture of wood chips, and may even show wood grain.

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Can incense beads come into contact with water? How should they be handled?

Incense beads should be kept away from water and oil, so it is best not to handle them for too long after polishing them. You can wear gloves when polishing them to avoid contact with sweat, as this can contaminate the incense beads and seal in their fragrance. If they occasionally get wet, wipe them with a paper towel and let them dry naturally. Be sure to remove them when exercising, bathing, swimming, or doing laundry.

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Are incense beads sturdy enough, or will they break?

Incense beads are made from natural fragrances and bound with nanmu powder. The incense paste is refined through repeated hammering, so there is no need to worry about the hardness of the incense beads. They will not break unless subjected to extreme force.

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How long will the fragrance of the incense beads last?

Incense beads have a long-lasting fragrance. When not wearing them, you can place the incense bead jewelry in a sealed box to keep it dry. The fragrance will return in 3-5 days. It is better to put a small amount of the incense bead formula spices in the box.

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Beads have pores: small holes with uneven surfaces

It is normal for handmade beads to have these. For powder, it is inevitable that there will be small holes! And for handmade beads, some of them are unavoidable!

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What should you do if the beads accidentally get dirty or wet?

Don't panic if they get wet. Once they dry, it won't affect their use or luster. If the beads accidentally get dirty or wet, place them in a dry, cool place to air dry naturally before wearing them again. They will gradually develop a patina and glaze.

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Why does powder fall off when you first start playing with incense beads?

Incense beads are made from precious aromatic materials and medicinal herbs, so their surface naturally has a granular texture from wood particles. It is normal for there to be slight powder shedding at the beginning. During handling, Hexiang beads offer both the woody texture of precious aromatic and medicinal materials and the porcelain-like texture of jade and nephrite; however, counterfeit Hexiang beads, while possessing some woody texture, lack any sense of texture or porcelain-like quality!

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Are non-sticky powder incense beads real?

In compound incense blends, some merchants may emphasize the efficacy of their products, often exaggerating the high proportions of aromatic and medicinal ingredients and low proportions of adhesive powder. This is understandable. However, using the concept of “adhesive-free incense beads” (not honey pills) to deceive consumers is going too far. A scientific understanding of the relationship between incense and adhesive powder is necessary to use natural, high-quality adhesive to create natural, high-quality incense, ensuring the healthy development of intangible cultural heritage incense.

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