The summer wind burns like fire, the summer rain rolls in with thunderous force. In such a boisterous season, even the coolest attire feels stifling. Only jadeite worn close to the skin seems to offer summer’s last vestige of coolness.
Jade bracelets are precisely such pieces—perfect for summer wear. More agile than bracelets, they are easier to wear and handle. In recent years, jade bracelets have gained increasing popularity among consumers. If jade bracelets accentuate a woman’s rustic elegance, then jade bracelets highlight her agility and refinement.
Colors of Jadeite Bracelets
The beads in jadeite bracelets come in diverse hues—colorless, white, green, yellow, or red. Each color carries symbolic meaning, and when combined, their meanings intertwine. “Red, green, purple, yellow, white” respectively represent “blessings, fortune, longevity, joy, and wealth.”
Many fashion-savvy jade enthusiasts, beyond appreciating the symbolic meanings of the beads’ colors, also pay attention to how aesthetically pleasing they look when combined.
Yellow + Green
The interplay of yellow and green is known as “yellow-green” jadeite. Yellow hues within green jade impart a refreshing, vibrant quality, evoking youthfulness and liveliness while symbolizing imperial grace and dignity.
Red + Green + Purple
Tri-color jadeite is exceptionally rare, known within the industry as “Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity.” Red signifies fortune, green represents prosperity, and purple denotes longevity. The convergence of these three hues creates the “Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity” jadeite, symbolizing blessings, high office, and longevity—embodying life’s three most auspicious fortunes. The combination of these colors delivers a visually stunning and sophisticated effect.
Size of Jadeite Bracelets
Standard beads typically measure around 5mm, though larger varieties exceeding 10mm exist. Such substantial strands feel remarkably full and weighty. Naturally, larger beads grow increasingly rare and costly, with individual pieces sometimes fetching five-figure sums.
In an era where jade beads are often mass-produced, jadeite bead necklaces remain at the pinnacle, out of reach for most ordinary jade enthusiasts.
But what many jade lovers don’t realize is that within the jadeite world, there exists another category of jewelry. Though sharing the same origins as jadeite bead necklaces, its price is surprisingly “affordable”!
That’s right—it’s our jadeite bracelets! Though both involve bead-making, jade bracelets differ significantly from necklaces. Beyond the price gap, jade bracelets carry far richer symbolism than necklaces!
In ancient times, the imperial harem housed thousands of beauties, most of whom were devout Buddhists. They spent their days chanting sutras for blessings while wearing jade bracelets or jade chains.
Back then, jade bracelets were typically strung with eighteen jade beads. These beads were called “zi” (子), symbolizing offspring. Concubines wore them hoping to gain the emperor’s favor, bear him a son, and secure their position in the harem.
These beads could roll freely along the chain, symbolizing smooth sailing and success in all endeavors. Jade beads strung on red cord, however, carried the meaning of continuous good fortune and a turning tide of luck.
Number of Beads in Jadeite Bracelets
Jadeite bracelets originated from Buddhist prayer beads, so most bracelets still follow the tradition of 18 beads, with common variations including 10, 12, 14, 16, or 18 beads. Different bead counts carry distinct symbolic meanings.
However, with changing times, modern jadeite bracelets primarily determine bead count based on the size of the beads themselves—wearing as many or as few as desired. The exact number also depends on whether it fits the wrist comfortably, avoiding being too tight or too loose.
Today, fashionable jadeite bracelets range from 12 to 18 beads per strand, primarily determined by bead size. Sometimes, various decorative patterns are carved onto the beads, incorporating more contemporary and trendy elements.
Of course, as jadeite jewelry, value and aesthetic appeal vary. How can one find a jadeite bead necklace offering good value for money?
1. Color
The color should be pure, vivid, even, and harmonious. The finest jadeite exhibits a pure green hue. Greens with slight yellow undertones, along with gray, brown, or black tones, are considered standard color variations. The deeper the standard color, the higher the quality of the jadeite’s color.
2. Texture
Also known as grain size, texture refers to the coarseness or fineness of the jadeite’s crystal structure. An extremely fine crystal structure is essential for high-end jadeite bracelets. Jadeite with this structure appears oily, smooth, and free of granularity; conversely, coarse grains indicate a loose structure.
3. Transparency
Commonly called “water head,” it ranges from transparent, fairly transparent, semi-transparent, slightly transparent, to opaque. Higher transparency increases a jadeite bracelet’s value. A piece combining vivid color with good transparency is considered top-grade.
4. Craftsmanship
Craftsmanship refers to the skill level of the carving. Generally, the price of jadeite bracelets is not influenced by age, unlike soft jade. However, jadeite bracelets carved during the Qing Dynasty hold greater value than modern pieces. This is due to the exceptional carving skills of the Qing era.
5. Weight
Weight refers to the size of the jadeite. While the value of jadeite bracelets is not typically constrained by weight, larger pieces—and thus heavier ones—command higher prices when other factors are comparable.
Finally, for jade enthusiasts who adore jadeite bracelets but find them out of reach, why not consider acquiring a bracelet with excellent quality, water, and color? It will be just as beautiful~