An Option for a Too Small Jade Bangle Bracelet

The previous blog focused on getting a too small jade bangle bracelet on your wrist with the least amount of pain. 

But sometimes you just cannot get your jade bangle bracelet on. 

Some customers told me they are shopping for a new jade bangle bracelet because the jade bangle they wear every day is getting too small for their body changes in their wrist area.  And sometimes women who wear their jade bangle bracelet all day, every day for years need to have a procedure, perhaps medical, that requires removal of their jade bangle bracelet, and they have to get the bangle cut off because it won't go over their wrist.

I learn from my experiences with other people about what can happen to the body as it ages.  When I heard about jade bangle lover's "too small" experiences, I became aware that my hands also are getting arthritic, and I started planning ahead for what I might need.  I purchased three jade bangle bracelets that have been cut, and clasps added.

Three Burmese jadeite bangle bracelets with clasps

There are different kinds of clasps on these.  The round jadeite bangle bracelets have gold clasps with a chain to protect the clasp part that opens:

Burmese jadeite bangle bracelets with gold clasps

The "modern" flat inside jadeite bangle has a sterling silver clasp with an insert, and I have found it to be more secure:

Burmese jadeite bangle bracelet with sterling silver clasp

Another reason why women might want the clasp option is to get the very smallest jade bangle on their wrist so the bangle won't move around and bump tender, arthritic areas:

Jade bangle bracelet with clasp fitting right on the wrist

There are some problems you may encounter when you look for a jeweler to cut your jade bangle in half and add a clasp.   Some jewelers will not do it, perhaps because they don't know how to work with jade.  And the cutting process may cause the entire jade bangle bracelet to break.

But the biggest reason for not cutting and clasping is it changes the jade bangle.  None of the three jade bangles with clasps shown in the photos have high "chime", although they are genuine and natural Burmese jadeite.  It's like the qi life goes out of the jade.

These three jade bangles are my personal jades. The bangle with the sterling clasp is  51mm, and the other two are 56-57mm.  I don't wear them now, but I look at them, touch them often.  I did not have a jeweler cut the jade and make the clasp for me, I purchased them "as is".  And I took them to jewelers to find a jeweler who was willing to cut and clasp regular jade bangles, but no one was willing to do it. 

These aren't for sale on the web site.  I don't know what my hands, arthritis are going to feel like as I age, so waiting to see how "life" goes, whether to keep or sell them.   The small bangle with the sterling clasp really feels good, there's a lot of jade in it, it's thick from inside to outside (probably to keep it strong for cutting and clasping) and I love the heavy feel of it fitting right on top of my wrist. 

Cutting and clasping a jade bangle is an option,  and if your proceed be sure the jade bangle you are changing to a clasp is strong, has a lot of jade in it, thick inside to outside, like the Burmese jadeite bangle bracelets with certificates, the "newer" jade.  These are strong and grade A best quality new jade available.

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