Jade Bangle Journey - Quick Questions

[diamondyes]

Thank you so much for helping me learn about jade. I have a few follow-up questions that I haven’t yet found the answer to in old threads:

- a size 55 can fit my wrist and I can get it on without soap. It hurts a little to do it, but my hand or the bangle does not seem at risk of breaking haha! Should I be going for size 54 with soap?

- can I keep a jade bangle on 24/7, the only risk is breaking? Or do I risk color change as it absorbs shampoo suds etc?

- some jade is very cheap. It is likely dyed? And more expensive jade is more natural and has a shinier glossier exterior?

- if I wanted to concentrate my budget on one piece only, is there somewhere I could read about the value hierarchy of the colors? It sounds like imperial green is highest, but is black low? And how about a bangle that is lavender AND green? I’m trying to get a sense and learn about value in relation to price. I don’t want to resell ever, I just don’t want to get taken for a ride and be sold the “bad” color jade. Like how some people like inky black blue sapphire but don’t know that that’s a usually lower value color.

- will a wider bangle fit smaller, the same way a wider ring will fit smaller?

- is there anything else I should consider before dropping a big chunk of change on a bangle? I will be sure to share pics as way of thanks!

 

[Bron357]

A proper Jade person will be along in due course.
I’m no Jade expert, I’ve tried to learn but it’s tricky.
To my eye $50 and $500 and $5,000 bangles look alike!
My advice is - stick to trustworthy vendors to ensure you are getting untreated Grade A. There are other posts where the names of good vendors are discussed.
In terms of sizing, some people can squish tiny bangles on using a plastic bag and lubricant. By tiny I mean a bangle diameter with just one finger width of space between wrist and bangle.
Some say the snugger the better, others like it so it can be pushed up the arm out of the way (especially when say using a computer).
Untreated Jade can be worn 24/7 no worries, many never take them off.
Jade however is a crystal formation, it can have “weak spots” in the structure, and an accidental whack against something hard can cause it to break into pieces.
It happens.
The finer the quality, the more robust and “perfect” the crystal structure so less chance of breaking.
Understanding the value of Jade is very complicated - many factors and traits are either desirable or undesirable. Certainly a fine green is very very expensive but it is possible to purchase a preferred colour at a more friendly price if the bangle has other imperfections that pull the price down ie stone lines or cottontuffs or dark spots.
Because I find it all very confusing I chose to buy what I liked the look of but pay no more than $200. It’s possible the bangles are treated and worth like $20 but better that I figure than spend $5,000 and later find out it’s actually a $20 one.
These are my cheap and cheerful bangles.

 

[diamondyes]

A proper Jade person will be along in due course.
I’m no Jade expert, I’ve tried to learn but it’s tricky.
To my eye $50 and $500 and $5,000 bangles look alike!
My advice is - stick to trustworthy vendors to ensure you are getting untreated Grade A. There are other posts where the names of good vendors are discussed.
In terms of sizing, some people can squish tiny bangles on using a plastic bag and lubricant. By tiny I mean a bangle diameter with just one finger width of space between wrist and bangle.
Some say the snugger the better, others like it so it can be pushed up the arm out of the way (especially when say using a computer).
Untreated Jade can be worn 24/7 no worries, many never take them off.
Jade however is a crystal formation, it can have “weak spots” in the structure, and an accidental whack against something hard can cause it to break into pieces.
It happens.
The finer the quality, the more robust and “perfect” the crystal structure so less chance of breaking.
Understanding the value of Jade is very complicated - many factors and traits are either desirable or undesirable. Certainly a fine green is very very expensive but it is possible to purchase a preferred colour at a more friendly price if the bangle has other imperfections that pull the price down ie stone lines or cottontuffs or dark spots.
Because I find it all very confusing I chose to buy what I liked the look of but pay no more than $200. It’s possible the bangles are treated and worth like $20 but better that I figure than spend $5,000 and later find out it’s actually a $20 one.
These are my cheap and cheerful bangles.

Thank you Bron, that is very helpful! And I am a huge fan of cheap and cheerful! I also absolutely love the idea of a bangle I can wear 24/7… most of the time I am a good and don’t wear my jewelry in the shower etc but to be able to keep something on would be very exciting to me.

 

[shelovesinclusions]

Thank you so much for helping me learn about jade. I have a few follow-up questions that I haven’t yet found the answer to in old threads:

- a size 55 can fit my wrist and I can get it on without soap. It hurts a little to do it, but my hand or the bangle does not seem at risk of breaking haha! Should I be going for size 54 with soap?

- can I keep a jade bangle on 24/7, the only risk is breaking? Or do I risk color change as it absorbs shampoo suds etc?

- some jade is very cheap. It is likely dyed? And more expensive jade is more natural and has a shinier glossier exterior?

- if I wanted to concentrate my budget on one piece only, is there somewhere I could read about the value hierarchy of the colors? It sounds like imperial green is highest, but is black low? And how about a bangle that is lavender AND green? I’m trying to get a sense and learn about value in relation to price. I don’t want to resell ever, I just don’t want to get taken for a ride and be sold the “bad” color jade. Like how some people like inky black blue sapphire but don’t know that that’s a usually lower value color.

- will a wider bangle fit smaller, the same way a wider ring will fit smaller?

- is there anything else I should consider before dropping a big chunk of change on a bangle? I will be sure to share pics as way of thanks!

For sizing, it's so individual a preference. For me, anything I put on that doesn't require soap and some hand maneuvering (pain, lol) feels too lose and annoys me after a couple days. If you plan on wearing it 24/7, I think the balance is finding something small enough to not jiggle or knock on stuff, but big enough to not "stick" or feel tight with swelling or other weight fluctuations. Wider D-shape bangles feel snuggest to me, while round bangles feel loosest. I can comfortably go down 2-2.5mm between a wide D to a round. Oval sizing is a whole different ballgame.

Wearing A-grade jade 24/7 has only the risk of breaking. B, C, or B&C are not recommended for 24/7 wear because they can fade or the polymer can break down and look yucky. Some people say the chemicals are unhealthy if you wear treated jade all the time, but IDK if that's just superstition.

A grade jade can be very inexpensive and treated jade can be very expensive. Pricing is not always indicative of quality and treatment, so your best bet is to use a reputable vendor and a reputable lab to be sure you're receiving untreated jade. But- don't equate high prices as a necessity. I know for a fact one reputable vendor can sell a piece for thousands, that may have come from a different reputable vendor for hundreds.

The highest price expectations (for me) would be for imperial, good lavender, and glassy jade. Prices are usually higher for greater translucency, better color, and finer grain.

When I started collecting, I didn't really understand the difference in grain size, and it's now the make or break trait for me. I'd recommend you learn about it through pictures and observations before you get your bangle, and don't settle for less because grains you don't like on your wrist 24/7 are as irritating as a color that is slightly off. My first bangle is still one of my favorites, and I sometimes wonder if I would have been happy had I put more $ and time into finding the perfect bangle and stopped. But, they are all so different, the first one is kinda a gateway drug (for people like me).

Edit: and polish- know the polish you like before committing.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

@mellowyellowgirl
@icy_jade
you ladies want to say hello ?

 

[diamondyes]

For sizing, it's so individual a preference. For me, anything I put on that doesn't require soap and some hand maneuvering (pain, lol) feels too lose and annoys me after a couple days. If you plan on wearing it 24/7, I think the balance is finding something small enough to not jiggle or knock on stuff, but big enough to not "stick" or feel tight with swelling or other weight fluctuations. Wider D-shape bangles feel snuggest to me, while round bangles feel loosest. I can comfortably go down 2-2.5mm between a wide D to a round. Oval sizing is a whole different ballgame.

Wearing A-grade jade 24/7 has only the risk of breaking. B, C, or B&C are not recommended for 24/7 wear because they can fade or the polymer can break down and look yucky. Some people say the chemicals are unhealthy if you wear treated jade all the time, but IDK if that's just superstition.

A grade jade can be very inexpensive and treated jade can be very expensive. Pricing is not always indicative of quality and treatment, so your best bet is to use a reputable vendor and a reputable lab to be sure you're receiving untreated jade. But- don't equate high prices as a necessity. I know for a fact one reputable vendor can sell a piece for thousands, that may have come from a different reputable vendor for hundreds.

The highest price expectations (for me) would be for imperial, good lavender, and glassy jade. Prices are usually higher for greater translucency, better color, and finer grain.

When I started collecting, I didn't really understand the difference in grain size, and it's now the make or break trait for me. I'd recommend you learn about it through pictures and observations before you get your bangle, and don't settle for less because grains you don't like on your wrist 24/7 are as irritating as a color that is slightly off. My first bangle is still one of my favorites, and I sometimes wonder if I would have been happy had I put more $ and time into finding the perfect bangle and stopped. But, they are all so different, the first one is kinda a gateway drug (for people like me).

Edit: and polish- know the polish you like before committing.

This is so amazing, I am learning so much from you! Thank you for taking the time to share all of this. I keep rereading it so that I can learn. I also listened to a podcast about jade (“jewels of the trade - Interview with Jeff Mason of Mason-Kay”) and learned a lot there too.