New purple bangle that I so love…
The JADE thread!
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Gorgeous! What's the coordinating item in the bottom left photo?
Earrings. Was trying to see how well they matched in color. Bought from different sellers, and the earrings quite a while ago.
Oh, no, friends. I was sooo excited for my bangles from matsalice (eBay) to arrive. I stalked the mailbox all day, and they're here! I read so many articles on measuring and watched several videos for figuring out the right bangle size, and these 58 mm bangles are NOT wanting to go on. I started to attempt to put one on using a plastic bag, and I think I can make it work, but I'm super nervous about being able to get off again.
What would you do? I love them both so much, and I think it's like how they fit once they get past my hand, but again... I'm a little concerned I wouldn't be able to escape them.
UPDATE: Each time I try to put one of the bangles on, it makes less and less progress towards making it to my wrist (pretty sure this means my hand is swelling in protest). Sigh... I guess I have to come to terms with the fact that I'll have to ask the buyer if they'll take exchanges due to size (I'm pretty sure they do), but I'm super sad, because I obviously liked these the most.
What would you do? I love them both so much, and I think it's like how they fit once they get past my hand, but again... I'm a little concerned I wouldn't be able to escape them.
UPDATE: Each time I try to put one of the bangles on, it makes less and less progress towards making it to my wrist (pretty sure this means my hand is swelling in protest). Sigh... I guess I have to come to terms with the fact that I'll have to ask the buyer if they'll take exchanges due to size (I'm pretty sure they do), but I'm super sad, because I obviously liked these the most.
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Oh no, sorry they aren’t working for you. Did you try soap or hair conditioner and water? For some reason those methods work better for me than the plastic bag. It can also be helpful to run cold water over your hand first so that it shrinks a bit.
I haven't tried those methods yet. I'm a little worried about getting soap/another product on them in the case I ultimately must return them... and it guts me, but I think I might have to. I don't mind a little struggle, but trying this has been pretty painful, and I have to assume it shouldn't be that way. Plus, I think my thumb is actually going to be more of an obstacle than I originally realized. Why can't my hands just be more bendy?! haha
Haha yes flexibility matters! Some people like a really tight fit and others don’t. But it’s not uncommon to use soap and water. That won’t harm the jade, so don’t worry about it. Just do it over a soft surface so that you don’t drop the bangle onto a hard surface. Personally I would let your hand recover and try again tomorrow when it’s no longer irritated.
Thank you, I will try again tomorrow with some soap and water, CAREFULLY....
I can sympathise. The black carved bangle I'm wearing now went on just as the pandemic lockdown started in 2020 and then I put on weight and I have yet to lose that weight. So, I've been stuck with it since 2020. I get within 5lbs and then I get distracted and up the weight goes again.
Like escamillo says, soap and lotion are fine. I like to use conditioner.
The first time I got stuck (my pale lavender), I wound up icing my hand till it was numb, slathering it, and then forcing it off. My hadn was bruised after. In retrospect, I should have asked for help - someone to squeeze my pinky/thumb knuckle together while pushing the bangle up (or vice versa). I learned that my right hand is fatter & less flexible than my left.
Thank you for the sympathizing, Junkenpo. Indeed, I could still feel the tender spots on my hands today that resulted from yesterday's efforts. I have spoken with the seller, and she's willing to take the returns. Additionally, she'll be checking her inventory for any similar pieces in a more appropriate size. Yesterday, I thought I would just try lubing up my hand today, but I just think I'd prefer a much less painful relationship between me and my jade, lol
Oh with plastic bag/gloves it’s much harder imo than just plain soap and water. It think the plastic adds like 0.5 to 1mm…
It does take a bit of practice but over time I’ve managed to wear smaller bangles and that’s without bruising my hand.
See how small this bangle is vs my hand? impossible to wear without soaping up.
Showing how tight a fit it is… my entire hand just about fits in when totally squished… it is extremely tight with no space. That is how tight it can be.
The crux as I’ve learnt from jadeite vendors is the joint at the base of the thumb. Once the bangle can get over that joint (which can be a bit of a struggle), then the bangle can be worn… you may need to press on the joint a bit to push it through. Absolutely normal to press. They do it in the stores too when I try on bangles.
Some things I’ve found that helps…
1. Cold hands (smaller, less swollen, etc)
2. Relaxing the hands/muscles. Ok it can be hard and I still have a tendency to tense up when it’s a tight fit but once I consciously relax my hand muscles, usually the bangle can slide right in. Cannot emphasise relaxing the hand muscles enough. This is really the key.
3. Doing over a bed or soft surface (like carpet) so there is no fear factor of dropping the bangle. This is more of when I was quite inexperienced and was quite afraid. Now I just do it over the sink/anywhere but when I first started doing over a soft surface really gave me a peace of mind to push the bangle hard.
The white bangle is a bit too big and I can take it on/off very easily. Traditionally jadeite bangles should be worn as tight fitting as possible or so I’ve been told.
Wow, thank you for taking the time to put this reply together with step-by-steps and visual aids! The thumb knuckle was what kept stopping me, which isn't to say the other knuckles were a breeze (they weren't). The seller is checking their inventory today to see if they have any stock in similar colors to replace these with. I was thinking if they didn't find anything comparable, I might lather up and give it another go... but then the anxiety gets me, and I think I'd absolutely feel trapped if I got them on and then couldn't take them off. Ideally, I want a piece that I can wear pretty much constantly, like a semi-permanent accessory... but I also need the peace of mind of knowing that I can easily escape it if I want, you know?
Additionally, comparing the way four of your fingers fit side-by-side with the bangle over them vs. how there's just no room for my pinky to stay next to my ring finger... I'm even more apprehensive, lol. But who knows?? Maybe I'll work up the courage!
Okay, I did it!! Lathered up, and you were sooo right! My thumb is not speaking to me right now, but I did manage to get one of the bangles on! I might just leave it there for a while (at least until my hand stops screaming at me). I'm a little unsure of showering with the vintage metal bangle on (I've never showered with it on before, but it's a daily driver of mine, so I'm fine with it being stuck there for a while otherwise), but it's just going to have to happen, lol.
Thank you to everyone for the tips and words of encouragement! I did purchase another bangle almost 2 mm larger than the two I bought from this seller, and I'm very excited for it, because it's in a kiwi skin color that surprised me with how much it called to me... but of course, now I'm worried it's going to be larger than I prefer... oh, well. I'll tell you what, my jade journey has been fast and furious, and I've learned a lot the hard way, but it's been worth it thus far!
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