Archaeologists have uncovered tombs in China from Neolithic times where they found ancient peoples laid to rest alongside their valued possessions – some with a jade bangle still on their wrist even after thousands of years.

So…does that make jade the original “permanent jewelry?”

Don’t get me wrong – Gold chain bracelets are fun, but…will they stay on for 5,000 years?

I kid of course, but in all seriousness, wearing a jade bangle is not a fad or a trend, but the opposite in every way. Jade bangles are not only an iconic piece of jade jewelry, they are part of a very long tradition and speak to the meaning of jewelry and it’s place in human history.

Regardless of your heritage, you can be a part of the long tradition of wearing jade bracelets alongside members of many ancient Chinese dynasties and Mesoamerican civilizations. 

Representing eternity, the jade bangle may also be called a “hololith,” a continuous circle and a symbol of strength and protection. In modern-day China, young girls have a bangle placed on their wrist to remain through adulthood – even when they grow into the bangle and it’s too tight to take off. Their culture intends for jade bangle bracelets to be worn every day, to be with them throughout their entire life.

You certainly don’t have to wear your bangle everyday, and you are encouraged to take it off for exercise and javelin throwing. But whether you’re interested in the original “permanent jewelry” or just a meaningful accessory for certain occasions, here are three things to know when buying jadeite bangles:

#1: Will my jade bangle break?

Short answer: Treated jade will break very easily, but your natural jade is much harder to break as long as you’re handling it with the same care and respect with which you would handle any other fine jewelry.

Long answer: Jade bangles can be worn everyday, but as with all jewelry, they should be handled with care. Do not wear any jewelry in the pool or hot tub, never wear jewelry during weightlifting, and we gently advise you remove all jewelry before wrestling bears in the woods. Or gardening.

Jade in particular tends to have a wider surface area than other gemstones as in the case of bangles and carvings. If you drop a small diamond on a tile floor, it may be less likely to break than if you dropped an entire bangle made of diamond on the floor. Jade is no different, and should never be thrown at the wall or dropped on tile, concrete, or any other hard surface.

Jade bangles, whether jadeite jade or nephrite jade, are extremely durable when carved from high quality jade. Commercial quality bangles have larger crystal sizes resulting in a looser microstructure than translucent jade, so inexpensive jade bangles may break more easily than a fine, translucent bangle. Jadeite jade and nephrite jade are two of the toughest gemstones in the world, but they both range in toughness depending on their quality. In the case of jadeite jade: the higher the translucency, the harder to break.

Jadeite jade has an unfortunate reputation for breaking easily because of the prevalence of treated jade being sold as “natural.” B Jade, or jade that has been acid-bleached and polymer-impregnated, is far more brittle than natural jade. Many customers have a soured attitude toward jade because they accidentally purchased a B Jade bangle and broke it, thinking it was natural. Rest assured that every piece of jade from Mason-Kay has been properly tested and is guaranteed free of dyes and polymer-impregnation.

Bonus tip: Jade loves LOVE! Love and wear your jade often to keep up it’s glassy luster. Jade is a rock, so it will absorb your skin oils for increased shine and protection. It is better for you and your jade to wear your jade bangle bracelet often – don’t leave it in the safety deposit box!

#2: Will my jade bangle change color?

Short answer: Treated jade may change color. Natural jade won’t experience a true color change, but lower qualities of jadeite jade may be subject to staining and require the same amount of care and respect you would show any other fine, heirloom-quality
jewelry.

Long answer: Dyed jade can fade over time, contributing to the common belief that jade will change color as you wear it. However, natural jadeite jade has stable color and will not go through a chemical color change.

In the case of light-colored natural jadeite jade with larger crystal sizes, prolonged contact with certain chemicals can stain the surface of the jade. This is believed to most commonly occur as a result of prolonged contact with sweat or sebum, but potentially other chemicals that you may handle in day-to-day life as well. Harsh chemicals should never come in contact with your jewelry, but buildup from sweat, sebum or skin cells can be remedied by gently wiping your jade with a soft jewelry cloth after a day of wear. 

When you first purchase your jadeite jade jewelry, it often comes with a thin beeswax coating on the top to protect jade’s porous nature from external staining. Be careful not to put your jade in an ultrasonic cleaner or expose it to harsh cleaners or chemicals that may remove this beeswax coating. Rubbing your jade with your skin or even applying a very, very small amount of baby oil to it’s surface can help you continue to protect the jade should you accidentally remove the beeswax.

This slight yellowing that may result from wear does not change the color of your jade per se but may affect the luster or surface appearance. This is a normal part of jade wear and typically won’t have a negative appearance on your jade, if it’s even noticeable at all. Some people believe that this is a sign of your bodies overall health, and that if you are healthy, your jade will appear healthy as well.

Bonus tip: If you’re unsure whether a piece in your jade collection is natural or treated, you can send it to Mason-Kay Jade for testing! Visit our Jade Services page to learn more.

 

3. How do I find my bangle size?

Short answer: Your wrist size and your bangle size are different things. Finding your bangle size means measuring your hand. Go visit your local, independent jeweler or order bangle sizing gauges online.

Check out the tutorial below on bangle sizing.

Long answer: Many customers ask “how should my bangle fit?” and the truth is – some people prefer a tighter bangle than others. We advise choosing a size that goes on easily but has resistance when taken off. If you choose a bangle that is too loose, it may fall off your wrist. And if you choose a bangle that is too tight, it may be uncomfortable to remove. That’s why we call jade bangles “Cinderella Jade” – it has to fit just right!

Measure your hand (not your wrist!) at the widest point and multiply by 8. This should give you an idea of the inside diameter of the bangle that you need. Just keep in mind that wider bangles may feel tighter, and thinner bangles may feel more loose.

Bonus tip: Your local, independent jewelry store may have a range of bangles (or a bangle sizer!) that you can try on. This will give you a much more accurate idea of your bangle size. 

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Mason-Kay jade directly about your jade purchase. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. All of our jade is guaranteed natural (untreated), meaning our jade has NO dyes, NO polymers, and NO treatment.