The Sad and Often Asked Question : Why Did My Jade Bangle Bracelet Break?

I often get an email from  a jade loving person who is sad because their jade bangle bracelet broke.  And they are looking for a replacement jade bangle.  They often tell me something about their jade bangle bracelet, and ask if I could tell them why it broke.  Last week a woman told me she had her jade bangle bracelet in her pocket, and it accidently fell onto a hard floor and broke.  She concluded it must be "fake jade" because it broke, and jade is supposed to be "hard".

Yes, jade is a moderately hard gemstone.  But even grade A genuine and natural Burmese jadeite will break if it is struck in just the right (or wrong) place. 

There's a Chinese legend that when your jade bangle bracelet breaks, it has protected you from getting hurt or even worse.  And there are physical reasons why it may break.

Jade bangle bracelets will break more easily than jade pendants or smaller jade pieces.  The round shape puts stress on the jade and if struck on a hard surface has a risk of breaking.  The reason I don't have a physical store is because I have personally observed in China jade shops that customers often drop the jade bangle they are trying on, perhaps falling on the counter top or floor.  Chinese jade bangle sellers want to make sure you get the smallest size jade bangle you can wear so it fits close to your wrist comfortably, and that requires using lotions, oils, soapy water to get it on. 

Yes, grade A Burmese jadeite will break.

Classic round style jade bangle also has a higher risk of breaking, again, due to the shape.

Jadeite that is C grade has been bleached with acid, then color added to make them the "good green" and translucent "icy" style.  The bleach makes the jade stone more brittle.   The Clearance section on the JadeBangleBracelets web site has some C grade jadeite bangle bracelets, including the classic round "fu lu shou" jadeite bangle in the photo. 

The Fu Lu Shou three color jade is often worn during holidays because of its meaning: happiness, health and longevity, wealth.  People who wear "real jade" most of the time often like to have one of the fu lu shou style for special occasions, so the prices are relatively low.  The jadeite itself is good quality, but the acid washing has made it less strong.

I have been wear jade bangle bracelets since 1999, my first trip to China and falling in love with jade.  I like to wear one all the time.  When I'm doing "real work", it helps me to be mindful, and I am aware of the bangle.  But yes, I have broken two excellent jade bangles.

Here's a hint if you are an active person looking for a good quality Burmese jadeite bangle bracelet on Ying Yu Jade or Jade Heaven:  check out the Clearance jade bangles, with reason for Clearance price in description of "clarification lines".  It might look like a "crack" inside, but the line formed as the jade was being formed in the earth.  The pressure on the forming jade was extremely high, there was movement, and the clarification line formed.  Now because of the formation, it actually has more strength.  If you see the line running through the circular part of the jade bangle, you know it's a true clarification line.  A crack runs up and down the width of the jade bangle. 

Jade Heaven #8560 grade A Burmese jadeite bangle bracelet with clarification line

If your jade bangle breaks and you are heartbroken, and looking for a replacement, I will be happy to help you find a good replacement.   I still have the "old mine" Burmese jadeite, mined prior to this century if you like the older kind of jade.  If you like newer jadeite, and want a certificate of gemology testing, these are also available.  Contact me with the item number using the email address on the web site, and I will do my best to help you get your next jade bangle.

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