Here’s something that might surprise you: many people buy jadeite worth tens of thousands and take great care of it, yet they treat xiuyu jade worth only a few hundred like a precious heirloom. Let me tell you, xiuyu is definitely jade, but it doesn’t have the same preciousness as jadeite. I’ve been in the jade business in Ruili for 12 years, starting from street stalls, and I’ve seen all kinds of materials. Take xiuyu jade for example—it has the advantage of being abundant and affordable, and good-quality pieces look nice, but it has a major flaw: low hardness and a soft nature.

When Wearing Daily, Keep These Points in Mind

If you ask me, the most important thing when wearing xiuyu jade daily is to avoid bumps and knocks. I have an old client whose wife loved wearing a xiuyu jade bracelet. One time, during an argument, she swung her hand and the bracelet hit the corner of a table. With a crack, it broke. He called me immediately asking if it could be repaired. From the photos, the crack went all the way through. It could be fixed, but the appearance would be ruined, and it would only serve as a display piece. Such a waste of good material.


    • Keep away from hard objects: This is no exaggeration. Low hardness is a natural characteristic of xiuyu jade. It’s not as “steel-like” as jadeite. If you put it together with keys, phones, or metal accessories, it will get damaged quickly. Especially bracelets—when cooking, washing dishes, or moving things, take it off if you can. Don’t be lazy.

    • Avoid chemicals: Perfume, dish soap, soap, cosmetics—these contain chemicals that are harmful to xiuyu jade. Over time, they cause the surface to lose luster or even discolor. When I first started, a young lady had a beautiful xiuyu pendant but sprayed perfume daily. Within six months, it became dull. She thought she had bought a fake, but it was just improper care.

    • Wipe off sweat: In summer, sweat is slightly acidic and can corrode jade to some extent. If you wear xiuyu jade and sweat, remember to wipe it with a clean soft cloth. Don’t let it soak in sweat.

Washing, Storing, and Handling—Don’t Mess It Up!

Cleaning and storage are also crucial, but don’t be overly paranoid. After all, it’s not a priceless treasure, but basic care is necessary.

How to Clean Your Xiuyu Jade?

Honestly, just clean water and a soft cloth are enough. Don’t use toothpaste or detergents. Those might be fine for dishes but can cause problems for jade.



    • Rinse with warm water: Use a small bowl with warm water and soak the xiuyu jade for a few minutes to soften surface dirt.

    • Wipe with soft cloth: Use a clean fine cotton cloth or chamois to gently wipe the surface and remove stains. Never use a hard brush—it will scratch the jade.

    • Dry thoroughly: After cleaning, immediately dry with a clean soft cloth. Don’t air dry, as water spots can form.


Last year at the Ruili market, I saw a piece priced around three to four thousand yuan with good carving and translucency. A buyer liked it but cleaned it with toothpaste a few times after purchase. The surface got scratched and dull. He asked me what to do. I told him once scratched, it’s scratched. Even polishing won’t restore it to its original state. That’s a big loss.

Storage Needs Attention Too

For storage, the main points are avoiding bumps and dryness. Xiuyu jade contains water, and long-term dry environments can cause it to lose moisture, becoming dry and less lustrous.



    • Store separately: Prepare a dedicated box or soft pouch for your xiuyu jade. Keep it separate from other jewelry, especially harder metals or stones.

    • Avoid direct sunlight and high temperatures: Sunlight and heat cause moisture loss, fading color and reducing luster. Store it in drawers or cabinets, not on windowsills exposed to strong sun.

    • Maintain moderate humidity: If your home is very dry, occasionally wipe the jade with a damp cloth or place a small cup of water in the storage box to increase humidity. But don’t overdo it.

These “Self-Destructive” Behaviors—Avoid at All Costs!

Some things you think are caring actually harm your xiuyu jade. I’ve fallen into these traps, and I’ve seen many others do the same.



    • Don’t soak it in oil: Some people think jade needs “polishing” or “moisturizing” and soak it in various oils. I tell you, xiuyu jade’s structure is relatively loose. Soaking in oil can trap dust and dirt inside its pores, making it greasy, yellowed, and hard to clean. Water care is better.

    • Avoid saunas and hot springs: Extreme temperature changes are tough on jade. Wearing xiuyu jade in a sauna or hot spring exposes it to sudden heat and cold, which can cause cracks. A friend of mine wore a xiuyu bracelet gifted by his wife to a hot spring and came back with fine cracks on it. He was heartbroken for days.

    • Don’t use harsh chemical cleaners: As mentioned before, bleach, alcohol, silver cleaner—these are forbidden. They corrode the surface, destroy luster, and can alter internal structure.

    • Don’t scratch with hard objects: Some people test hardness by scraping with knives or sandpaper, which only damages the jade. Xiuyu jade isn’t that hard and can’t withstand such abuse.

Does Seasonal Care Differ?

Honestly, xiuyu jade isn’t so precious that it needs different care for each season. The most important thing is your daily habits.


But if you want to know the difference, here it is:



    • Summer: Sweat more, so wipe often. Take it off before bathing or swimming.

    • Winter: Air is dry. If your xiuyu jade feels dry, occasionally clean it with warm water or gently wipe with a damp cloth to “replenish moisture.” But don’t overdo it.


I once knew a dealer who bought a large xiuyu display piece. In summer, the air conditioning blew directly on it; in winter, the heater did the same. After a few years, fine cracks appeared on the surface and the color dulled. He wondered if it was fake. I told him it was dehydration cracks caused by dryness, not fake, just poor care.

So, xiuyu jade is different from jadeite. You don’t need to treat it like a precious heirloom or perform complicated care rituals. It’s not that delicate, but not that tough either. Wear it normally, avoid bumps and chemicals, keep it clean, and it will accompany you for a long time. Don’t stress over a few hundred yuan piece and exhaust yourself—jade suffers too.


If you’re thinking of buying one soon, my advice is to pick what you like and don’t get hung up on complicated care myths. Keep it simple—just treat it as a beautiful stone and wear it well.