The JADE thread!

[2boys_jademommy]

Jad34Me I'm about the same size as you. My smallest bangle is a 53mm, and this new bangle is 54mm but I just can't get it on. The flat straight edge just won't slide over like the one with the round edges. My poor hands. I've tried and tried, with plastic bag, soup, lotion, hair conditioner.

Ouch that looks painful! Maybe try when the weather is colder. Have you tried soaking your hadn in cold water? For some water retention can make a big di so certain time of the month or if you have had a lot of salt. Keep trying.....If nothing works then you will have to just admire it but again it is so gorgeous I really hope you can wear it

 

[Jeanek]

So I visited the Chinese Cultural Center in my city and the owners of the shop were just lovely. They had 2 bangles that fit me and I feel quite lucky that they had anything to fit me! What killed me is they had so many lovely pastel and lavender bangles that had me drooling and crying that they were too big haha!

they were sweet enough to let me take a pic to let me think about it. They are priced at $150 each. Does that sound about right given they have a retail shop or is it too high? They weren't marked with prices as their smaller jade pieces were, so perhaps I could negotiate if appropriate, but if fair, I'm I don't want to insult these nice folks!!
My fav is the plain one higher up on my arm. Is has small black specks in a couple of spots which I love, it got more interesting the more I looked at it. It feels heavy and cool to the touch like my granite/Quartz countertops but warmed inside my arm. The other one felt almost waxy?rr

Thank you all again so much for your help. I'm so excited to get my first jade bracelet and if it weren't for you guys, I'd have ended up with a crappy plastic dyed fake (shudders)

 

[Trekkie]

Trekkie, this is such a cool old bangle - it has so much character and truly looks vintage. With plain jade bangles you can rarely tell the age, which makes this one so much more interesting. It looks like it has a story, you know what I mean? I immediately thought Citron as a name because it made me think of lemons and limes -or maybe Yuzu for the Chinese citrus fruit [emoji6] Whatever you name it, congrats!

I know exactly what you mean, I wish I knew the story... I might send the seller a message and see if she knows anything. I like the name Yuzu!!!

 

[zipcount]

So I visited the Chinese Cultural Center in my city and the owners of the shop were just lovely. They had 2 bangles that fit me and I feel quite lucky that they had anything to fit me! What killed me is they had so many lovely pastel and lavender bangles that had me drooling and crying that they were too big haha!

they were sweet enough to let me take a pic to let me think about it. They are priced at $150 each. Does that sound about right given they have a retail shop or is it too high? They weren't marked with prices as their smaller jade pieces were, so perhaps I could negotiate if appropriate, but if fair, I'm I don't want to insult these nice folks!!
My fav is the plain one higher up on my arm. Is has small black specks in a couple of spots which I love, it got more interesting the more I looked at it. It feels heavy and cool to the touch like my granite/Quartz countertops but warmed inside my arm. The other one felt almost waxy?rr

Thank you all again so much for your help. I'm so excited to get my first jade bracelet and if it weren't for you guys, I'd have ended up with a crappy plastic dyed fake (shudders)

Hm...looks color treated to me. Can you get closer pictures of them?

 

[Jeanek]

Hm...looks color treated to me. Can you get closer pictures of them?

Yes, I thought the top one might be fake and/or dyed-- closer to my fingers( I'm not surprised to hear this, but didn't want to make any accusations given that I'm brand new and I remember reading it could feel waxy?), I don't remember it feeling cold either but I didn't pay much attention because I didn't like it much at all even with the carvings. It also felt lighter

but do you think the one further back might be dyed too? I like the plain one. I had 2 pics. Here's #2-They were hesitant to let me take a pic. Here it is cropped and HUGE!! Yikes

 

[crosso]

Yes, I thought the top one might be fake and/or dyed-- closer to my fingers( I'm not surprised to hear this, but didn't want to make any accusations given that I'm brand new), I don't remember it feeling cold either but I didn't pay much attention because I didn't like it much at all even with the carvings.

but do you think the one further back might be dyed too? I like the plain one. This is the only pic. They were hesitant to let me take a pic. Here it is cropped and HUGE!! Yikes

I hate to say it, but I think they are both probably dyed. $150 for an intense, fairly even green like,that would be mucho $ from most sellers. I would ask them to guarantee it is grade a and WRITE IT ON THE RECEIPT if you decide to proceed.

 

[zipcount]

Yes, I thought the top one might be fake and/or dyed-- closer to my fingers( I'm not surprised to hear this, but didn't want to make any accusations given that I'm brand new and I remember reading it could feel waxy?), I don't remember it feeling cold either but I didn't pay much attention because I didn't like it much at all even with the carvings.

but do you think the one further back might be dyed too? I like the plain one. This is the only pic. They were hesitant to let me take a pic. Here it is cropped and HUGE!! Yikes

I'm suspicious of that one also (the all green one) but can't be sure with only one picture. Did the seller say they are grade A jadeite? Do they have a certificate? If the seller say they are both grade A then I wouldn't buy from them since the multi-colored one is obviously not.

 

[Jeanek]

I asked him multiple times if they were all natural jade and not dyed, he kept telling me that they were. His wife came out and started talking about the cultural aspects. I didn't ask about the grade because at that point, I was satisfied that the one piece was natural jade and beautiful, I just honestly wasn't sure if it was dyed or not. It was hard to walk away but I'm glad I did. I probably would have bought it this wkend except for that one bangle was obviously dyed even to my naive eye so I didn't trust them I was pretty sure if it was undyed that it would cost way more so I left. I'm guessing certs are out given if they have obvious fakes

Sadly, the sizes weren't marked and he didn't know what the sizes were so my bangle size is still a mystery lol

Thanks again ladies. I'm completely bummed but again so grateful!

 

[crosso]

I asked him multiple times if they were all natural jade and not dyed, he kept telling me that they were. His wife came out and started talking about the cultural aspects. I didn't ask about the grade because at that point, I was satisfied that the one piece was natural jade and beautiful, I just honestly wasn't sure if it was dyed or not. It was hard to walk away but I'm glad I did. I probably would have bought it this wkend except for that one bangle was obviously dyed even to my naive eye so I didn't trust them I was pretty sure if it was undyed that it would cost way more so I left. I'm guessing certs are out given if they have obvious fakes

Sadly, the sizes weren't marked and he didn't know what the sizes were so my bangle size is still a mystery lol

Thanks again ladies. I'm completely bummed but again so grateful!

It was a good idea to take pics! One thing to look for - see how the smooth green bangle looks a little hazy on the surface in the reflection of the light? It's hard to see without a loupe, but treated jade has a slightly spider webby appearance on the surface (for lack of a better term), because the structure of the stone has been 'opened up' by acid to allow either polymer or dye or both to penetrate it. It's hard to know for sure though, because older jades that were polished with traditional techniques and been worn alot to where the traditional plum waxing has worn away may also not look as glassy smooth on the surface but they can usually be shined up nicely or repolished by a good lapidarist.

 

[Jeanek]

It was a good idea to take pics! One thing to look for - see how the smooth green bangle looks a little hazy on the surface in the reflection of the light? It's hard to see without a loupe, but treated jade has a slightly spider webby appearance on the surface (for lack of a better term), because the structure of the stone has been 'opened up' by acid to allow either polymer or dye or both to penetrate it. It's hard to know for sure though, because older jades that were polished with traditional techniques and been worn alot to where the traditional plum waxing has worn away may also not look as glassy smooth on the surface but they can usually be shined up nicely or repolished by a good lapidarist.

Thank you! I'm learning so much. If it seems too good to be true, then it is. I'll keep stalking the trusted vendors you guys use. I definitely don't know enough to go local yet!

 

[Jade4Me]

Thanks! It's so hard to know what size to get. I have a gold bangle that measures 2.75 inches across (70mm) that slips into my hand and almost falls off all the time. It's the smallest I've ever been able to find and I wear a 4.25 wedding ring so I have small hands too. I'm going to try and find one at at Chinese Cultural Center today! Wish me luck! Based on that and your measurements, I feel pretty confident about buying a 50/52mm bangle!??

I'll update hopefully today! So excited

I'm ONLY guessing here, but maybe you could try a 51-52mm bangle and go from there. My ring finger is 5.5 so your hand is definitely daintier with a ring finger of 4.25.

I agree with the others that the 2 bangles you posted are treated. It is a bummer, but the right one will come along for you. A few of us have unwittingly bought a treated bangle as their first jade bangle - mine was an overpriced B+C grade, or at least a B grade. We are more than happy to be here for you and can at least try to help you avoid such a first time newbie mistake!

 

[annetok]

Hello Jadies, meet Neptune. My very aqua-colored new jade bangle

 

[fanofjadeite]

was at lunch today and noticed that the lightings in the restaurant made my jades look very shiny. couldnt resist taking pics to share with u ladies here

 

[fanofjadeite]

and my tri-color jade ring arrived today

 

[Jade4Me]

Some time in the sunshine

Beautiful colors and translucence!