To be honest, Huanglong Jade has been incredibly popular in recent years. Let me tell you, a couple of years ago, an elderly lady came into the shop with a Huanglong Jade bracelet. The color was truly beautiful, very glossy and smooth. But when she took it out, I noticed several scratches on it and it looked a bit dry. When I asked, she said she wore it all the time while washing dishes and doing laundry and didn’t pay much attention to it. I thought to myself, such a fine piece, just being ruined like that.

Let me tell you, don’t be fooled by the word “jade” in Huanglong Jade’s name. It’s quite different in nature from jadeite or Hetian jade. If you treat it casually like jadeite, you might run into trouble. Today, I, Lao Zhou, will share with you how to properly care for Huanglong Jade. I’m not an expert professor, just someone who’s been in the Ruili jade business for over a decade, and I’ve seen a lot of real cases.

What does Huanglong Jade fear?

First of all, you need to know what Huanglong Jade is sensitive to. Unlike jadeite, which is very hard, Huanglong Jade is also quite hard but more vulnerable to knocks and bumps. Why? Because its structure is relatively loose. One knock could leave a dent or even cause a crack. When I first started, a customer had a Huanglong Jade pendant. He bent down to pick something up and accidentally hit the corner of a table, and a piece chipped off immediately. He was heartbroken for days.


    • Fear of impact: This is the most important factor, above all else.

    • Fear of acid and alkali corrosion: Huanglong Jade is sensitive to acids and bases. Everyday activities like cooking and washing hands involve detergents and soaps that can be corrosive.

    • Fear of high temperature and strong sunlight: You can’t leave it exposed to direct sunlight or use hot water to clean it. High temperatures can alter its internal structure, causing the color to fade or the surface to dry out.

    • Fear of oil stains and dust: Long-term exposure to oil and dust can clog the pores on its surface, affecting its luster and “moisture.”

What should you pay attention to when wearing it daily?

This is about everyday life. If you ask me, I’d say pay attention to everything you can.

First, don’t wear it constantly when you sweat a lot. In summer or during heavy exercise, sweat contains salt, which if left on the surface for a long time, affects its gloss. One of my old customers told me he used to wear a Huanglong Jade bracelet while running. After running, the beads felt sticky and the luster dimmed a bit.

Next, take it off when doing chores. Washing dishes, laundry, housework—all these involve detergents or the risk of hitting hard objects. One careless moment and your bracelet could shatter. Last year at the Ruili market, I saw a Huanglong Jade bangle priced around three to four thousand yuan, with nice carving, but it had several impact marks because the owner didn’t take care.

Also, take it off when sleeping. People sleep in all sorts of positions. If you accidentally press or scratch it against the nightstand or something else, it’s a waste. I recommend taking it off at night and putting it in a small box for safety.

How to clean and store it properly?

Cleaning is simple—don’t get fancy. The easiest way is to rinse it with clean water. Tap water is fine, warm or cool, but not hot. After rinsing, use a clean, soft cotton cloth or chamois to gently wipe it dry. Never use brushes, as they can scratch the surface.

If it’s very dirty, like oily stains, you can use a mild detergent such as baby shampoo or diluted dish soap. Use just a tiny bit, not too much. Put a drop or two in water, soak the Huanglong Jade for a few minutes, then gently brush it with a soft brush. After washing, make sure to rinse thoroughly to remove all foam and then dry with a cloth.

For storage, it’s also simple. Use a separate cloth pouch or jewelry box lined with soft fabric. Don’t store it mixed with other jewelry, especially harder stones like diamonds or jadeite, as they can scratch Huanglong Jade. I’ve seen people put a Huanglong Jade bangle together with a bunch of silver jewelry, and soon the bangle was covered with tiny scratches—so painful to see.

Also, store it in a place that avoids direct sunlight, high temperature, and humidity. A cool, dry place is best. If you leave it on a windowsill in the sun, its color will fade over time.

What should you absolutely avoid?

Let me emphasize a few things—these are lessons learned the hard way.


    • Don’t scratch it with hard objects: Whether cleaning or daily use, don’t use nails, knives, or any hard tools to scrape it, as it will leave marks.

    • Don’t use strong acids or alkalis for cleaning: Toilet cleaners, bleach, and similar chemicals are a no-go. They will ruin the jade instantly.

    • Don’t expose it to high heat or hot water: Don’t think heat will sterilize it. Huanglong Jade can’t handle such treatment—it will discolor and dry out.

    • Don’t leave it under prolonged sunlight: As mentioned before, direct sunlight causes fading.

    • Don’t let it frequently contact cosmetics or perfume: These contain chemicals that corrode the surface and diminish its luster over time.

Is there a difference in care between seasons?

Honestly, not a huge difference, but you should pay a bit more attention in summer and winter.

Summer: Mainly because of more sweating, I recommend frequent cleaning. Take it off every night, rinse with clean water, and dry it to keep it clean. Don’t let sweat stay on it for long. Also, outdoor activities increase the risk of bumps, so be extra careful.

Winter: The air is dry, so Huanglong Jade is more prone to “losing moisture” and drying out. You should “handle” it often by rubbing it with your hands. The natural oils and sweat from your skin nourish Huanglong Jade well. I tell you, the more you wear and handle it properly, the glossier and brighter it becomes. Just don’t neglect it in winter.

Examples of poor care ruining good pieces

There are many such cases. The most common problem is drying out and color fading. One shop owner bought a top-grade Huanglong Jade ornament worth tens of thousands of yuan. But to save trouble, he placed it outside the store in the sun. After a few months, the color noticeably faded and the luster was gone. When he came to ask me what happened, I immediately knew it was improper care.

Then there’s impact damage, which is very common. One careless moment, a crack or a dent, and the value drops significantly. A friend’s wife wore a Huanglong Jade bangle worth several tens of thousands yuan. At the supermarket, she slipped and the bangle fell and broke in two. She cried all afternoon out of heartbreak.

So, I tell you, if you buy Huanglong Jade, you have to take good care of it. It’s not just a stone you throw around. It has a spirit—if you treat it well, it will reward you with better gloss and moisture. If you’re careless, it will show you its displeasure.

If you’re thinking about buying Huanglong Jade soon, my advice is: ask the seller clearly about care methods, pay close attention daily, store it properly when not wearing, clean it often, and handle it frequently. Don’t be afraid of the effort—good things are worth it.