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5 Steps to Clean, Wax, and Care for a Jade Bangle
Introduction
To begin to know how to care for your Jade Bangle Bracelet, you must first know if there were any artificial treatments that have been applied to it. Extra care and caution must be taken when wearing and cleaning treated Jade Bangles. Cleaning or wearing a treated Jade Bangle as a natural may cause irreparable damage.
Caring for Jade Bangles
Natural Jade Bangles are easy to take care of. They do not require much attention if any at all. Wear them to the beach, swim in chlorinated water, soak in hot baths, exposed to sunlight...etc. No problems. Just be aware that it can still be scratched by other materials with hardness of 7 or higher. Treated jade bangles are a different story; they require extra care to not damage its appearance. Refer to the table below.
| Activities | A JADE | B JADE | C JADE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower | O | O | O |
| Hot Bath | O | Caution | X |
| Sauna | O | Caution | Caution |
| Steam room | O | Caution | X |
| Beach | O | X | X |
| Sunlight | O | X | X |
| Swimming (Chlorine) | O | X | X |
| Contact Sports | X | X | X |
| Ideal for daily wear | O | X | X |
Table 1. A table showing a list of activities possible while wearing a natural and treated jade bangles.
Hardness and Toughness of Jadeite
Jadeite is a durable mineral and measures 6.5 - 7 on Moh’s Hardness scale. Hardness measures the mineral’s resistance to scratch. Keeping this in mind, there are other minerals out there that are harder than Jadeite and some care should be taken to avoid scratches. Having said that, its interlocking crystal structure makes it tough to break or chip. Minor bumps and impacts would not have an effect on a natural jade bangle. However, chemically bleached treated jade bangles are not durable. Their internal structural integrity has been compromised, making them brittle.
Staining
Jadeite being a porous material is subject to staining. It’s advisable to wipe off any spills (especially red wine) onto the bangle right away. Failure to do so will cause absorption of colours which will later require specialised cleaning. If the bangle has been treated, a stain cannot be removed as cleaning the stain will subsequently remove the original dyes as well.
Cleaning Natural Jade Bangles
1. Prepare a warm-hot solution of soap water in a plastic container
Use hot water, go as hot as you are comfortable to your bare hands. Generally around 40°C (104°F). Add a generous amount of liquid soap. Dish washing liquid works best. Again, use soaps that you would handle with your bare hands. Nothing too corrosive. Mix the solution well.
2. Soak the Jade Bangle for 2 minutes
Place your bangle gently into the plastic container and let it sit for 2 minutes. The soaking process will loosen up all the oil, sweat, dirt and grime stuck onto the bangle. If you have an ultrasonic jewellery cleaner, you can skip this step.
3. Using a sponge, clean the bangle thoroughly
Now that the soaking process has loosen up all the dirt, use a sponge to clean the bangle thoroughly.
4. Rinse with water and dry
Rinse with running water until all the soap is clean off. Take care not to drop the bangle onto any hard surfaces. Dry the bangle with a clean cloth or paper towel.
5. Waxing (Optional)
Using a piece of unscented white candle, rub onto the surfaces of the jade bangle. Apply gentle pressure to allow the wax to stick onto the bangle. Once the bangle has been thoroughly waxed, use a piece of paper towel to remove all the excess by rubbing it into the surface. Waxing will increase the lustre of the bangle slightly and protect it from body oil, dirt, and sweat entering the porous surface.
Specialised Cleaning and Handling
Jeweller’s Torch
Take extra when handling Jade Bangle around a jeweller’s torch. Heat, direct or indirect from the torch may cause fractures or enlarge existing fractures to the point of splitting. In treated bangles, the heat may cause the impregnated polymers to melt or discolour. Dyed bangles may also discolour.
Chemical
Jadeite is sensitive to warm acids. Avoid placing jade bangles into a jeweller's pickle for prolonged periods of time. Treated bangles should not be placed in a pickle for any amount of time. Treated jade is also sensitive to alcohol.
Ultrasonic
Natural jade bangles can be cleaned using ultrasonic cleaners safely. Cleaning a treated bangle with ultrasonic may cause irreparable damage.
Steam
Natural jade bangles can be cleaned using steam cleaners safely. Cleaning a treated bangle with steam may cause irreparable damage.
Cleaning Treated Jade Bangles
1. Prepare a lukewarm solution of soap water in a plastic container
Use lukewarm water mixed well together with soap. Only use soap or chemical cleaners that you would handle with your bare hands.
2. Using a sponge, clean the bangle thoroughly
Give the bangle a dip in the soapy water and clean it thoroughly with the sponge.
3. Rinse with water and dry
Rinse until all the soap is clean off. Taking care not to drop the bangle onto any hard surfaces. Waxing is not require. The impregnated polymers will keep oils and dirt away.
Frequently ASked Questions
Further Reading
5 Types of Treatments
Detailed information on treatments applied to Jade Bangle Bracelets. Treated Jade Bangles are common in the market place today and are there to deceive consumers.
Jade Bangle Buying Guide
Never shared before facts that sellers want to keep away from you. This guide will help you in buying authentic jade. A comprehensive guide to Burmese Jadeite Jade Bangles.
Fitting Guide
A step by step guide with pictures and clear instructions. Fit your new jade bangle easily and pain free.
About the Author
Wai Yan
Wai was born and raised in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma). Trained by the Gemmological Association of Australia, he is a qualified Gemmologist. Throughout his life, he has been in constant contact with gemstones and jewellery through the family business and has been fascinated by the beauty and rarity of them all. He is now operating a branch of the business in Australia, supplying all kinds of gemstones especially of Burmese origin to international markets.
Aloha,
I have a jade that was translucent clear color. Over time it had turned to a brownish color. I’m assuming this is from my body oils. Does this mean I have to get another one and the one I have will stay as is.
Appreciate the response,
Mahalo!
My Jade bead necklace was purchased in China 42 years ago, people commented to me how beautiful it was. To my shock today I noticed it has changed colour, my house has air conditioner and it was on a stand. I am devasted CAN I do something to bring it’s colour back please, any advice would be greatly appreciated..
thanks for the information on jade I have several pieces in clouded bangles ,,earrings etc.had them all for over 25 yrs.but don’t no the value today.
Hi Elise,
Thanks for reaching out to us. I’d be happy to help you with this query.
Jadeite is a very tough material but its hardness is not very high which means they are prone to scratches from any material with a hardness higher than 7 on the Moh’ scale. Over 10 years of wear, it’s normal for the bangle to dull and lose lustre. The remedy is to have the bangle repolished and it will become like new again provided the scratches are not too deep.
I hope this helps. Feel free to get in touch if you have any other questions or concerns.
Morning Wai,
I do not know much about jades but I love wearing jade. My husband bought for me this purple colour jade bangle and I have been wearing it for about 10 year. I bought this for about S$880. I never cleaned my bangle and did not really know how to take care of it. Now the bangle looks very dull and it looks there of scratches. Please advise.
Thank you
Elsie