Amongst all precious gemstones, only jadeite jade can improve its beauty with the body’s secretion of natural oils. Due to the sodium chloride, potassium chloride, urea and other elements in sweat and the unique molecular structure of jadeite, body oils will penetrate into the jadeite and slowly produce a chemical reaction with the jadeite crystals. This process dissolves the chromium ions, causing colours within the jadeite to migrate. The jadeite will have a better colour saturation and hue which makes people want to wear it for even longer time. Eventually the transparency of the stone will improve as well. Having said that, each person’s body pH level can differ from one another so whether you can wear a piece of jadeite more beautifully or not varies from person to person.
The finer texture of a jadeite is, the easier it improves its beauty through wearing. The more concentrated the secretion of sweat on the person’s body is, the more drastic the jadeite will improve. The change can be seen from a few months to few years but some people may not see any changes after wearing the jadeite for several years.
When the jadeite is worn and becomes more beautiful, the wearer would feel good and his/her spirits are lifted. This is exactly what the old Chinese saying “People raise jades, jades raise people” is about. Some people will safekeep and take good care of their jadeite. Some would pass their pieces to the next generation as a family heirloom, absorbing decades of family history, which is then passed on again to protect the next generation. The younger generation can feel the deep connection and love with their beloved elders.
