Don’t buy crystals, bracelets, or Pixiu figurines for “good luck,” “wealth attraction,” or “health benefits”

22. Don’t buy crystals, bracelets, or Pixiu figurines for “good luck,” “wealth attraction,” or “health benefits”

Cost: There is no monetary cost involved. The only requirement is to avoid listing “good luck,” “health benefits,” or similar claims as reasons for purchase. The real challenge is resisting the urge to buy them when everyone else is wearing them and talking about their magical powers.

In plain terms: There is absolutely no verifiable evidence supporting claims that wearing such items can change one’s fate, attract wealth, or improve health. These assertions work on the same principle as fortune-telling: they are phrased so vaguely that people naturally interpret them as applying to themselves. Any explicit health or fortune-related claims made by sellers would constitute illegal false advertising; in 2026, several livestream shops were penalized for exactly this reason. Buying them purely as decorative accessories is perfectly fine, but allocating extra funds specifically for “luck enhancement” is what this guidance aims to prevent.

Benefit: Classic classroom experiments demonstrate that when participants receive the same generic “personality analysis,” they almost universally deem it accurate. This phenomenon is known as the Barnum effect, and it explains why many people feel that wearing these items somehow improves their lives. The underlying conclusion is simple: personal acceptance of a vague statement does not validate its factual accuracy. A notable official case involves a jewelry shop in Sihui, Guangdong, which was penalized by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation on June 4, 2026. During livestream sales, the shop falsely advertised that its products could prevent rheumatism, boost immunity, improve sleep, and even clear blood vessels. By fabricating elaborate narratives, the business misled consumers, violating Article 9, Paragraph 1 of China’s Anti-Unfair Competition Law. Only 34 people actually need to be aware of this principle for it to have a meaningful impact on consumer behavior.

Evidence grade: B

Sources: Forer BR (1949). The fallacy of personal validation: A classroom demonstration of gullibility. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology. <https://doi.org/10.1037/h0059240>; State Administration for Market Regulation of China (2026). The State Administration for Market Regulation of China announced a number of typical cases of "cracking down on counterfeiting" in traditional craft markets. <https://www.samr.gov.cn/xw/zj/art/2026/art_1529399cfe874b8780c4496eb0158020.html>

Notes: This entry serves one main purpose: to emphasize that there is no scientific basis for any claimed benefits, nor any measurable predictive power. It does not pass judgment on personal beliefs or cultural traditions, nor does it discourage buying such items as gifts, mementos, or family heirlooms. Two points must be clearly distinguished: legally enforceable claims about product performance can be reported to authorities, while vague notions like “good luck” lack any research support and cannot be proven false; thus, personal budget control is the only practical safeguard. Before purchasing, treat the item strictly as a decorative piece and ask yourself: “If it offered no magical benefits at all, would I still pay this price?” For guidance on verifying materials and certifications, or why treating them as investments is unwise, refer to Sections 5.33 and 5.34. Information on spending money on fortune-tellers is provided in Section 5.15. 〔33〕