A care guide
The art of patina.
How wood, seed, walnut and jade change in the hand — and how to help them along.
The four stages
Patina is earned, not sold
In Chinese collecting, bāo jiāng is the soft glow an object gathers from years in the hand — natural oils, warmth and time, slowly polishing the grain from within. We sell the first turn. The next ten thousand are yours.
-
Day one
Raw grain
Matte and fragrant. Wear it with clean, dry hands and let it rest now and then.
-
First months
A first glow
The surface warms and the grain begins to show depth where your fingers return.
-
The first year
Deepening
Colour settles and darkens; the beads take on a quiet, glass-like sheen.
-
Years on
Heirloom
A patina no workshop can fake — a record of every hour you held it.
Caring for each material
Fragrant woods — zitan, rosewood, sandalwood
Wear and handle with clean, dry hands. Avoid water, sweat-soaked days at the gym, perfume and lotion. In the first months, rest the beads a day or two each week so the surface oxidises evenly. Never oil, wax or polish — patina must come from the hand.
Bodhi seeds — rudraksha, coconut calyx, kuke
Brush rudraksha gently along its grooves with a soft brush for the first weeks. Kuke and coconut calyx need no brush: handle them with clean, dry hands and wipe with a soft cotton cloth. Keep out of strong sun to avoid cracking; colour deepens slowly over time.
Hand walnuts
Brush the ridges with a soft bristle brush before you begin. Roll the pair in the palm daily; warmth and gentle friction bring out a deep amber-red. Keep away from damp, and store in a breathable pouch.
Nephrite jade
Jade likes the skin. Wear it often, remove it for sport and housework, and wipe with a soft cloth. Avoid knocks, chemicals and sudden heat. A quiet, oily sheen will come with time.
Is this real? How we describe our pieces
We name materials precisely and we say plainly when something is treated, assembled or uncertain. If you have a question about a particular piece, ask us before you buy.