heehee its most probably the alloy mixture that they have used for the crosses, containing nickel, which is now banned from jewellery in the UK because of the awful allergic reactions it caused.  The old mixes with lead would literally raise red welts if you held it in your hand and wer allergic lol! Like Ligit go for pure silver or one of the new alloys like argentinium which stay silver longer.  UK 92.5 Sterling silver will be fine too as it doesnt contain nickel but only copper and silver.

The rashes and the actual chains turning black is a sign of distance between you and God.

There have been many similar cases, of which i only learned about yesterday! (good timing), referring to Sai Baba where he made their pictures of himself black. Well, not fully black, he just made himself black. The man who wrote this story about how all of his pictures of Baba always came out black was because, as he figured to himself, he blinded himself to truth, to God. He admitted to not being a believer and what not, and so therefore, whether there was no prejudice or not there was definitely a wall - a wall that he put up and kept up for a few years. Eventually he accepted Baba and his pictures became "normal" again.

Dah, here is the page. I wouldn;t have typed that if i found it first!

http://www.saibabamiracles.com/baba/photos2.html

Click #17 to read of a similar case.

Here is another such story with photo involving Jesus statue, but rather different than the claims here

http://www.visionsofjesuschrist.com/weeping110.htm

(http://www.visionsofjesuschrist.com/miraculous_images.htm)

Gem, i would agree with you that certain metals do in fact cause rashes but boltonlas never specified that she never tried various metals, only stating that all crucifixs cause rashes. If no deal was made about finding a pair of a different substance than i would agree with you. However, we just wouldn't know unless she clarified.

As for past-life mishaps, that sounds like an excuse! You always have the time to make yourself right. Mercy, forgiveness, Love and acceptance! These are things capable of achieving here and now, not curses of past lives!

Many skin lotions contain pumice. Pumice is a polishing compound and turns black as the metal rubs back and forth. It will do this with gold or silver and gold filled or plated jewelry as well. As far as the blistering Gem is right about the nickel!