Cutting Jadeite

Jewelry Discussion
1

Greetings All - I have a customer who has a solid Jadeite bracelet
that she would like hinged. Can anyone be kind enough to tell me the
best way to cut it in half? Thank you very much for the help.

Stuart J. Adelman, Designer

2

Stuart,

The easiest way is to use a diamond trim saw with an oil or water
coolant.

Joel Schwalb
@Joel_Schwalb
www.schwalbstudio.com

3

With a lapidary diamond trim saw, thin blade, high speed, oil
lubricant, not water. Don’t push hard, let the blade do the work.
Simple job, but if you don’t have the right tools you can muck it
up.

Wayne

4

Stuart

I have a customer who has a solid Jadeite bracelet that she would
like hinged. Can anyone be kind enough to tell me the best way to
cut it in half?

A diamond blade and plenty of coolant. After you cut it, round the
edges or bevel over a little with carbide paper (Wet & Dry), the
stuff likes to chip. You might be able to get by with a diamond file
if you curve in but its risky. Definitely do not cut to the outside
with either.

Terry

5

The best way to cut a jadeite bracelet in half is to send it to a
lapidary with a real stone saw. If you really want to do it yourself
without a huge investment, you can buy a 1" or so diamond saw for the
flex shaft for fairly cheap. Tips: Do it under water - use a bowl or
something - I mentioned Cool Whip containers before, because the
sides are flexible, which matters when you have both hands and a flex
shaft in there. You’ll see what happens if you take the spinning
blade out of the water soon enough, but it’s refreshing. Don’t
"plunge cut" - go back and forth, sawing through. The danger is that
either the blade will jam, or after one side is cut the leverage will
snap it in the wrong place, even though jade is tough, it’s not that
tough, so be careful. Lastly, (obviously) make sure you mark it in
half - use a centerfinder, if possible, or at least dividers.

6

The best way to cut it in half is with a diamond lapidary trim saw.
Anyone who cuts stones would have one. You might check to see if
there is a gem and mineral club in your area. I’m sure they could
help.

Jerry in Kodiak

7

Thanks to all who took the time to advise me on cutting Jadeite.
Pretty consistent advise. It looks like there is pretty much one way
to do it. I’ll leave it to a professional.

Thanks again.
Stuart J. Adelman, Designer

8

stuart -

Can anyone be kind enough to tell me the best way to cut it in
half?

cutting jadeite is easy. mark the two spots to cut:

  • using a trim saw (a .012 - .015 blade works with jade), lay
    bracelet on its side in front of blade so that both marks line up
    with the blade - guide with both hands. if blade is not wide enough
    to make both cuts in one through, turn bracelet and repeat first cut.

  • using a flexshaft, best results come with a thin diamond coated or
    sintered disc - don’t get fancy or careless holding the bracelet
    while cutting.

if your blades/discs are sharp enough you won’t have to worry about
heat build up in the jadeite for two cuts.

with the hinges - don’t forget to dry fit the caps to get the
correct angle for the bracelet’s arc. if you have to do any
polishing, the secret is 600 grit, 800 grit, 1500 grit, then leather
and diamond paste and a good eye.

good luck -
ive