Chinese shop clerk breaks jade bangles worth US$140,000; owner seeks no compensation

A shop clerk in eastern China accidentally broke jade bangles valued at over one million yuan (US$140,000), yet the owner chose compassion over compensation, giving the young man a chance to learn from his mistake.

The incident, which occurred in October at a jewellery shop in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, was captured on surveillance video.

While moving a table, the clerk accidentally knocked over a box of jade bangles, resulting in a loud crash.

(While moving a table, the clerk, above, accidentally knocked over a box of jade bangles, causing a loud crash. Photo: Douyin)

He attempted to gather the pieces but squatted in frustration upon realising they were beyond repair. The shop owner, identified by the surname Cheng, revealed that out of the 50 jade bangles, more than 30 were completely shattered, leading to a loss exceeding one million yuan.

Cheng explained that the Russian nephrites, prized for their clarity and rarity, were uninsured.

With the shop still not open and no carpet on the floor, he found himself shouldering the entire loss.

(The shop owner revealed that over 30 out of 50 jade bangles were shattered, resulting in losses exceeding one million yuan. Photo: Douyin).

Instead, he reassured the young man, saying: "It was my request, along with a customer's, to relocate the table. The clerk acted carelessly, as inexperienced and a bit rash young people sometimes do."

Cheng emphasised that young people deserve more opportunities and hoped this incident would serve as a valuable learning experience for all involved.

He noted that the broken bangles would be displayed in the store as a reminder for employees. According to the mainland media outlet Jimu News, the shop clerk, a recent university graduate, had been working there for only a few months.

In an interview, he admitted feeling scared and anxious while picking up the broken pieces.

(The boss noted that the uninsured Russian nephrites, prized for their clarity, left him with the entire financial burden of the loss. Photo: Douyin)

Grateful for the owner's understanding, he stated: "Cheng's leniency preserved my hope for the future."

He also vowed to work diligently in the future to repay the shop owner's kindness.

At the time, Chinese actor Tan Kai, who has 6.7 million followers online, was at the shop selecting bangles.

After asking the clerk to move the table for a product video, a box of bangles toppled over. Feeling guilty, Tan remarked: "If it weren't for my request, this wouldn't have happened."

"I am now contemplating how to salvage the broken jade and recover some of the owner's losses," he added.

(At that moment, popular actor Tan Kai, above, with 6.7 million followers, was in the shop; he felt guilty, thinking the incident might have been avoided if not for his request. Photo: Douyin)

The incident quickly went viral on mainland social media, with related topics amassing 30 million views.

Ref: Chinese shop clerk breaks jade bangles worth US$140,000; owner seeks no compensation (scmp)