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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.

ActivitiesA JADEB JADEC JADE
ShowerOOO
Hot BathOCautionX
SaunaOCautionCaution
Steam roomOCautionX
BeachOXX
SunlightOXX
Swimming (Chlorine)OXX
Contact SportsXXX
Ideal for daily wearOXX

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

Filling the plastic container with soapy water

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. 

Soaking the jade bangle in hot sopy water for 2 mins

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.

Cleaning jade bangle with sponge

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. 

Rinse jade bangle under running water

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. 

Apply soft pressure to run the candle on to the bangle

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

How often should I clean my Jade Bangle?
Can I shower with my Jade Bangle?
Can I swim with my Jade Bangle?

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. 

25 comments

  • Jessica M SmithNov 29, 2019

    hello wai i just read your article and have always been slightly confused about bathing with natural untreated jadeite seeing that it is a porous gemstone whether or not hot water and steam would cause the jadeites color to dull and fade over time i dont ever take my jade off and thought i might’ve been slowly damaging my pieces?

  • WaiSep 01, 2019

    Hi Joyce,

    You have come to the right place. I can help you source or custom make a jadeite bangle that is 10 inches in circumference which equates to 80mm in diameter. If you are interested in placing an order. please contact me via email.

    Regards,
    Wai

  • Joyce WatkinsSep 01, 2019

    I would like to know where to find a jade bangle that measures 10 inches circumference?

  • WaiAug 24, 2019

    Hello Wilfred,

    Thanks for your feedback. We do have fine black jade in our collection. Here’s one: https://www.mays.com.au/collections/jade-bangles/products/black-jadeite-jade-bangle-bracelet-92010081

    Regards,
    Wai

  • Wilfred SawAug 20, 2019

    Hi
    Thanks for your webpage re: jade cleaning and maintenance
    Love to see your jade collection particularly from Burma
    Do you have any good pieces of black jade?

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