Caring for jadeite
How to clean jadeite, what to avoid, and why storage matters if you want to pass a bangle down.
Jadeite is durable, but “durable” is not “indestructible”. Most damage comes from three things: heat, chemicals, and impact. A few habits will keep a bangle looking as it did on the first day.
Cleaning
Use a soft, damp cloth with a drop of mild soap. Wipe the surface, then dry with a clean cloth. For a bangle worn daily, this is enough.
Do not use:
- Ultrasonic cleaners.
- Steam cleaners.
- Acidic or abrasive household cleaners.
- Bleach or chlorine.
These can attack the polish or, in the case of heat and chemicals, affect the stone’s appearance over time.
Heat and sunlight
Avoid prolonged direct sun, hot cars, saunas and sudden temperature changes. Jadeite is a stone, not a heat-proof material; thermal shock can crack it. Store it away from radiators and windowsills.
Impact
A bangle sits on the wrist, which is exactly where it meets doorframes, desks and gym equipment. Take it off for heavy lifting, sports and gardening. A chip on the edge is permanent; a crack can worsen.
Storage
Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or a lined box. Jadeite is harder than many materials but can still be scratched by diamond, sapphire and masonry. Do not stack bangles loose in a drawer.
If you wear a bangle daily, check the setting and the surface once a year. A jeweller can polish minor scuffs and confirm there are no new fissures.
What not to worry about
- Colour change from wearing: natural jadeite does not “absorb” skin oil in a way that improves it. A slight sheen from body oil is normal and can be wiped off.
- Water: brief contact with clean water is fine. Prolonged soaking is unnecessary.
- Body chemistry: there is no evidence that jadeite needs “resting” or that it absorbs negative energy. Care advice should be about the stone, not folklore.
When to ask a professional
If you see a new crack, a loose setting, or a change in surface texture, stop wearing the piece and have it inspected. Do not try to polish a fissure yourself.
A well-cared-for bangle can last generations. The goal is not to keep it pristine in a box — it is to wear it without shortening its life.
Written by Rissdon Jade. Questions about a specific stone? Ask us before you buy.