The Benefits of Wearing Jade Jewelry

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Today, more and more people wear jade—some slip a jade Pixiu on the wrist to attract wealth; others hang a jade pendant at the waist for career advancement, and so on. In ancient times, people believed jade was the height of beauty, saying that gold has a price while jade is priceless. Formed underground for thousands to millions of years, jade contains many mineral elements. Hence the saying, "people cultivate jade, and jade cultivates people." When someone is in good health, long-term wear is said to enhance a piece’s luster, as it absorbs moisture from the skin and grows increasingly radiant.

If a person's health is poor, many believe the body’s gradual absorption of jade’s trace minerals can be beneficial. For example, women often wear jade bracelets on the left wrist, which is thought to support the heart. Jade is also said to sharpen the mind; in ancient times, emperors favored jade pillows. In China’s past, many long-lived rulers were said to sleep on jade pillows. Additionally, the "Compendium of Materia Medica" records the purported wellness benefits of jade.

China has long been known as the "Land of Jade," where jade was treasured and worn as adornment. Ancient medical texts describe jade as "the most beautiful stone, sweet in taste, neutral in nature, and non-toxic," and claim that jade most abundantly nourishes the body’s vital energy. It was believed that holding jade in the mouth, mixed with saliva, could "quench thirst, clear stomach heat, calm anxiety, nourish the heart and lungs, soothe the throat, and promote hair growth." Thus, beyond jewelry and decoration, jade has also been used for wellness. Throughout history, emperors and consorts turned to jade for health—Song Huizong was especially fond of it, and Yang Guifei reportedly used jade to relieve heat.

Some modern analyses note that jade contains trace elements beneficial to the human body, such as zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, selenium, chromium, manganese, and cobalt. Many believe that wearing jade allows minute amounts of these elements to be absorbed through the skin, helping activate cellular tissues and support immune function. Hence, traditional Chinese medicine says, "Some illnesses cannot be cured by medicine, but frequent wearing of jade can heal." This is often attributed to the long-term massaging effect of wearing jade bracelets, which is said to ease eye strain, build vital energy, and nourish the spirit.

Experts believe:

• White jade has calming and soothing properties.
• Green jade wards off negativity and invigorates the spirit.
• Xiuyan jade is said to be particularly helpful for men with erectile dysfunction, enhancing reproductive vitality.
• Jadeite is believed to ease respiratory discomfort and help lift low mood.
• Single jade is said to nourish the heart and lungs, clear stomach heat, brighten the eyes, and enhance beauty.
• Agate is believed to clear heat and brighten the eyes.
• Old jade is said to detoxify, dispel yellow bile, alleviate sores, nourish yin, darken hair, treat phlegm, and calm the mind.

Jade is thought not only to beautify life and cultivate character but also to ward off illness and protect the wearer. Products used directly for wellness include jade pillows, jade mats, fitness balls, massage tools, walking sticks, and jade combs, which are said to beautify the skin, calm the mind, and soothe the spirit. Long-term use is believed to rejuvenate the body and prolong life.

How to Identify Genuine Jade

Jade can be expensive, and selecting quality pieces takes expertise; most consumers find it difficult to judge both quality and authenticity. A small mistake can lead to purchasing inferior or imitation products and significant financial losses. There are many retailers selling jade, which is generally divided into two main categories: soft jade and hard jade, with hard jade also known as jadeite. From a chemical perspective, soft jade (nephrite) contains silicates of calcium, magnesium, and iron, while hard jade (jadeite) contains silicates of sodium and aluminum.

Here are methods to identify the quality and authenticity of jade:

• Water test: Place a droplet of water on the surface. If it beads up and does not spread quickly, it’s considered a sign of genuine jade; if the droplet disperses quickly, it may be inferior.
• Touch test: Quality jade feels cool and smooth to the touch.
• Light inspection: Hold the piece up to sunlight or a lamp. If it appears translucent and the color is evenly distributed, that’s a good sign.
• Tongue test: Touching genuine jade with the tip of your tongue may feel slightly tacky or rough; imitations often feel slick.
• Magnifying-glass inspection: Examine the purchased piece under a magnifying glass, paying attention to cracks. Jade without cracks is higher quality, while pieces with visible cracks are lower in quality. Even natural jade loses value if it has cracks—the more numerous and obvious the cracks, the lower the value.