cleaning jade

[yitz]

Anyone know how to clean jade? It seems to turn white where exposed to sweat. I've been told that rubbing in a little olive oil or mineral oil occassionally will prevent it from happening. Too late for that now. Any ideas?

 

[golok]

Jade comes in different colours. I don't think it needs any kind of cleaning agent apart from soap and water.

Normally, real jade through prolonged contact with the human skin adds a certain lustre to it.

Jade is called the living stone by the Chinese for good reasons. One of which is that jade can become even more beautiful when the wearer is in robust health. And for those who are in not-so-robust health, it is alleged that jade acts as a kind of booster.

Another term that is given to jade is "stone of heaven".

Jade is reported to be the second hardest substance after diamond.
It does not scratch easily. It is supposed to be impervious to knife cuts. It is cool to the touch and slightly heavier than other stones and has a lustre that does not escape the eyes of an expert.

 

[raker]

How hard is it to cut? And where would you find out how to work it. I would love to make a handle out of it. Forming, smoothing, and polishing would seem to take a long time. If it is possible, I would like to get the information.
Thanks

 

[Bastid]

Hi Ray,
Drop David Broadwell a line. He does a bit of work in Jade. I have no experiece at all, but have been following this thread since sometime in the future he will be working on something that we have been talking about.

He can be reached at david@brodwell.com. (Please tell him Gus said hello).

 

[raker]

Thanks, I will do that. I have been thinking about making a handle from jade because a friend of mine that does jewelry said at one time, it was used for anvils to hammer on. That would make it some tough stuff . I will have to learn something else now .

 

[yitz]

Golok:
The side away from my skin is fine. The side against my skin has developed a white film from being exposed to sweat. It disappears when the stone is wet, then reappears when dry. Soap doesn't seem to affect it. Any other ideas out there?

 

[RHINOKNIVES]

call or visit a jade merchant.

 

[golok]

Yitz, your comment on the reaction of the jade to sweat is most unusual.

This is the first time I have heard of such a change in colour in a jade.

Perhaps you should have the jade checked by a gemologist. There are a number of stones which have properties similar to jade and even look very much like jade but are not jade at all.