Endings and Beginnings

You know you have lived the right kind of life when you can count your regrets on one hand.  And learn from them.  A new year gives us a chance to start over, using our learning experience and wisdom to have a better life.

When I hold jade mindfully, I think about how many years and minerals are in each precious piece.  And the relative short work of the jade carver add the polish and final touches to turn it from a rock to a precious gem to hold and wear. 

This year was a new year for the jade web sites.  They moved to a new format that is more user friendly, mobile friendly, more secure for customers.  It took tremendous time and work to get each piece listed in the new format.  There are still many pieces of jade bangles and pendants that haven't made the transition, as well as boxes in storage that have items that are truly new.  They are actually "old", purchased between the years 2000-2006, and have grown in value.  If you are looking for genuine, natural jade, 2016 will offer you some of our best.

And, the Year of the Fire Monkey is coming in February!   So you will want some auspicious jade to celebrate this "spunky monkey" year.  I've been adding new pendants with monkey.   More information about the Year of the Monkey will be written in January. 

Fu Lu Shou Three Color Auspicious Monkey and Peach Jadeite Pendant JHP85
Natural color red, imperial green veins, one of Jade Heaven's Best

Enjoy the end of 2015. and beginning of 2016.  Best wishes to you.

Updates about Burmese Jadeite, Embargoes and Reasons Why Genuine Jadeite is Scarce and Expensive

I listed a few new grade A genuine old mine "lao pit" jadeite bangle bracelets on the Ying Yu Jade web site today.  I'm getting some criticism from my jade mentor in China about pricing them so low, although people who look at them will probably think they are priced high and wonder why.   Sometimes customers buy a clearance discounted jadeite bangle on the JadeBangleBracelets web site in the "Chinatown Collection" that is genuine jadeite, but probably color treated, and to get them sold I greatly reduced the prices, mostly under $100. Sometimes they complain that it doesn't look like natural color.  And it's not, as stated in the product description.  They claim they can get grade A jadeite for the same price.

Real, genuine jadeite bangle bracelets are not cheap.  The newer jadeite is not as expensive as the old mine lao pit jadeite, but it's not as high quality, either.  It's usually not translucent, and often with clarification lines that can be felt.  When the US and other western countries put an embargo on jadeite around the year 2008, the reasons were because of the military involvement in the jadeite.  Most jade mines are owned by the military.  They often made the miners slaves to mine the jadeite, and many lives were lost because of unsafe conditions.  The military doesn't do as good a job with carving as the traditional old style jade carvers, so jadeite isn't as good.  The nicer jade available often is from pieces scavenged around the mines by locals trying to make a few dollars. If you live in USA and are buying jadeite from China,  you are buying illegally. I read an update about the embargoes in Burma (Myanmar), and although many sanctions have been lifted, the embargo of jadeite and rubies is still in place.  There are options to get around it, like allowing Burma people to take jadeite to USA and sell at trade shows.  But in general,  jadeite, even if it's carved and polished in China or other countries, is still not legal to import to USA. 

Here's an article about a landslide in Burma (Myanmar) that gives some insight into this issue. And ttoday this article appeared in USA Today: Why Myanmar's Massive Jade Industry  is So Deadly

You will see in most of the descriptions the year the jadeite listed on the web sites was purchased, all prior to 2008.  That's when I was going to China at every opportunity I could and taking all my extra cash to buy jadeite.  Not because I knew an embargo was in process, but because I saw prices rising, and quality decreasing.

I truly love the jadeite bangles I listed today. I keep them in boxes in a cool, dark closet and look at them, touch them, often.  The prices are often below what they sell them in China, which is why I am getting flack from my jade mentor.  But, they need a wrist, not a box.

Jadeite Bangle 55mm inside diameter BB606

Jadeite Bangle BB2790 64mm inside diameter

Wear Your Intention Word Jade Bead Bracelet

This morning I was watching CBS morning news.  I like some of the features CBS shows on their weekend morning news channel.  I've been busy with all the Christmas activities, both personally and business, and was getting ready to shut off the television and get on with my day, when I saw a feature about a man who makes and sells  intention word bracelets, and all the celebrities who have been buying them and wearing them.  They are a single word on a metal piece and simple string bracelet.

Guess what...Ying Yu Jade has been selling intention word jade bead bracelets for months!

Jade Bead Intention Word Bracelets - Wear Your Word

Ying Yu Jade's intention word bead bracelets aren't famous yet, but the inventory is very low now, only one remaining of each of about 12 words.  I personally  chose "simplify" when we first got them made by one of my jade loving jewelry makers.  And I have been working on simplifying my life.  I wear it when I go to yard sales, and when my head gets full of all the things I would like to do.

These intention word jade bead bracelets are one of those "jade things" I like to hoard, give as special gifts and wear myself.  To "simplify"  jade business, they are on the Daily Special today.  If they sell out,  the jewelry maker can make more.

Sounds simple, right?   It's also "artful", "inspired" and "cherished".  More inspiration words  you can wear.

And you can use the number as a special auspicious number for yourself.  Need a password code?  This is it.

Jade Goddess Woman Inspiration Words Pendant Necklace

Coupon Codes for Jade Bangle Bracelets, Bead Jewelry and More

Counting down to December 16, the last day you can order and be sure to get your jade gift by Christmas Eve.

Today I printed out a USPS mail label for priority mail that usually takes two days.  But today it printed as three days.  So it looks like USPS is getting behind with their volume of mail.

And Friday I mailed a jade bangle bracelet by USPS express mail, that guaranteed delivery the following day, Saturday.  The jade loving customer stayed home waiting for the mail to sign for it. I ship items more than $200 with signature during the holiday season.  Her mail carrier came and left, without delivering her package.  She tracked her package, and it showed there was an attempt to deliver at at a different ZIP code, with no one available to sign for it.  We can't get any explanation from USPS for that error, but if it had not required signature, it would have been left "somewhere else".   And she didn't get the premium service by USPS she paid for.

So don't wait too long, because USPS, UPS and FedEx are all behind in delivery.

If you want a good deal on jade now, check out the Sale section on Jade Heaven, or the Daily Special on Ying Yu Jade.  Generous discounts with coupon codes this week.

And there's still a few of the hand knit fashion scarves available.  One of my customers sent me a photo of how she wrapped a small jade bangle bracelet through it, very cute.  But I've been wrapping and shipping my own personal holiday gifts, and didn't have time to find it and include it.  If you would like one, write a note in the comments box on the order form.  Friends and I make them in our knitting therapy group, a relaxing, mindful activity that ends with a result:  pretty scarf.

UPDATE: Countdown to Holidays-Christmas Eve Jade Sales, Coupons and Discounts

If you are on Jade Heaven or Ying Yu Jade mailing lists, you will receive an email about counting down to Christmas Eve: sales, discounts coupons.  Christmas Eve is only two weeks away!  That means if you are purchasing online, you have one week to get your order placed to get it by Christmas Eve.  My USPS postal carrier told me today they are working hard to keep up to date, but might be a day behind.  UPS and Fedex are already three days behind.  So now is the time to order if you want a wonderful jade for Christmas.

There will be sales, coupons for the next week on both web sites.  Check the Sale page on each site.  And will keep you updated on this blog.

UPDATE December 11

Weekend Sale on Jade Heaven: 20% discount with coupon China's Favorite Grade A Burmese Jadeite Bangle with Certificate,  coupon code on SALE page
And if your jade bangle order, which can be combined with the old mine lao pit jadeite bangles, is $650 or higher, your gift is a free silk ornate handbag, $50 value.

Weekend Special on Ying Yu Jade, 15% discount on unique collection of hollow carved jade "spice bottles".  These take a lot of time and talent for the jade carver to make, and are rarely on sale because we price them low, considering the rareness of these. Nice to hang, hold incense or other fragrance, and of course good qi energy for feng shui.  Great gift.

Hollow jade "spice bottle" on Ying Yu Jade

Weekend Special 2: purchase any jade pendant, get a free "Dragon Whiskers" adjustable silk cord or gold or silver bail, $7.50 value

Heavenly jade...make your holiday even better with genuine, natural jade.

Is My Jade Real Follow Up

I got a lot of comments and guesses by email, but only a couple readers actually commented.  I think this is a difficult format to comment on because your comment doesn't show up until I manually post it.  Anyway....

The top jadeite bangle is one from my personal collection, wearing it during December because it has the white jade color qi for keeping healthy in winter, along with a good basic green vein.  It's one of the "sisters" purchased when I bought all of the jade bangle bracelets he carved from one jadeite boulder.

The bottom jade bangle is one I purchased on ebay a few years ago as grade A.  I thought it really would be as described because it is very slender and classic round style, and fit part of the requirements for Qing Dynasty old mine lao pit jadeite.  When I received it, I tested it with refraction and it's real jadeite.  But it didn't "feel" comfortable on my wrist.  I kept removing it and setting it aside.  When I went through my personal collection of jade bangles to see what I should sell instead of hoard, I found it again.  But it had changed.  It was a C grade jadeite, meaning it was washed with acid to remove color, then color enhanced.  The polish was gone from the acid working on it, and the pretty veins had merged, like melting together.  

You may notice in some of the jade bangle listings a description of when it was purchased, and most were purchased between 2001-2007.  The jade bangles I personal purchased were from jade carvers in southern China near the Burma border, where most of the jade carvers are traditional and don't make jade for export or commercial selling.  I also purchased some in the Guangzhou jade market, and for the sellers to advertise they sell A grade, they must get government approval, with spot testing from monitors.  When I couldn't go to China, like the year we moved from Ohio to Florida, I bought jadeite from a contact I had in Guangzhou.  At that time, my jade business was growing because I left my "real" job to do online jade selling full time, in 2004.  Every dollar I had went into buying jade.  I saw the prices rising quickly, but didn't know an embargo was in the political works.  I just bought every jade bangle, carving, pendant I could get my hands on.  I packed them in boxes, and kept them in dark, cool and moist location.  By keeping them so long before selling them, I could discover if the color changed, so I would know if they weren't natural color. 

As one of the comments states, you have to get your jade tested to know if it is real, if it's jadeite, Chinese jade, or something else.  And time makes a great difference in jade.  If the color changes, you can know it's color treated.  And if it remains the same because it's natural, then you have a fine quality jade, that will increase in value because that kind of jade gets more rare as time passes.

Very vintage old mine lao pit jadeite pendant by one of China's bestjade carvers purchased in 2001 and listed on Jade Heaven today.Item #JHP111 Monkey, Peach, and Lucky Coin

How do I know if my jade is "real"?

I often get the question "is my jade real".  And I often get unsolicited photos of a jade piece with the sender asking me to "tell me about it".  A very difficult task.

The only way I know if the jade I sell is "real jade" is by testing it with a refraction tester. 
Most jewelry stores have a gemologist (GIA is the "gold standard" for gemologists") and they can usually test your jadeite to let you know if it is truly jadeite.  Most gemologists don't know about or acknowledge Chinese jade as being a gemstone, and their standard  jade is nephrite.  So they can test Burmese jadeite, or Guatamala jadeite, and nephrite.  And that's what you should do if you really want to know what your jade is.

A couple of years ago a woman sent me a photo of a blue bangle she found when going through her mother's things after she died.  She thought it was jade because her mother loved jade.  But she couldn't find anything online about blue jade, other than it's usually fake jade.  She told me she took it to a Chinatown store that sold jade and was offered $20 for it.
There was "something" about that photo that made me think it was really jadeite.  I recommended she get it tested by a gemologist.  She found a gemologist in her jewelry store, and amazingly, it was jadeite.  The gemologist consulted with a Chinese person whose knowledge he trusted about jade, and was told the most interesting things about blue jadeite.  Neither had an idea of the value, so I suggested she take it to an international auction business.  They valued it at $500,000. 

Now that's a good reason to get your jade tested.

The other part of "is my jade real" concerns if it's natural color.  And yes, color treated B and C grade jade is "real".  Most gemstones are color enhanced to make them pretty, and jade is also.  It's still real jade when it's color treated, because refraction proves it.

Do you you think these two jade bangle bracelets are  "real" jadeite?  Do you think either of them is color treated?  Why?

Comments can be written below.  You won't see them right away, I have to log in and accept comments, but next blog will discuss them. 

Chinese Wellness for December - What Kind of Jade to Wear in December

Now we are in winter, the time when the body's qi, like the qi of our natural surroundings, recedes into the deep Yin layers. Winter's nature is Yin; it is quiescent, cold, and damp. It is a time for introspection, rest, and consolidation of your body's physical and emotional qi in order to get through the long cool darkness of Winter and prepare for the outburst of new life that is spring.

Unlike autumn, when the external factor to protect from is dryness, in winter we must guard against dampness combined with cold, which can harm the joints and sap our body's yang or warming qi. The Nei Ching, an ancient Chinese classic, advised people to go to sleep early and rise late, after the sun's rays have warmed the atmosphere a bit. This preserves your own Yang qi for the task of warming in the face of cold. If you ignore this advice you will unnecessarily tax your body's Yang, which is at a premium in the winter months. In contrast, in the summer, when the days are long and the expansive warm Yang energy is everywhere in abundance, we can afford to stay up a bit later and rise early.

Keep your immune system strong by rubbing your Da Zhui(DU14) acupuncture point, the bony protrusion at the base of the neck.

As in November, December is a good time to wear your white jade, as white is the color associated with lung qi. "Winter white" jade is not pure white, but has other hues of lavender, gray and/or green to help balance the stark white energy. You can also wear your darker green jade for their warming Yang qualities. "Dragon green" is an excellent choice.  Carved jade bangles are also strong Yang for winter, and very unique and attractive, too.

Some of our jade bangle bracelets have the qi description "calm spirit", "soothing", "peaceful spirit'.  The white soft yin color, usually with some veins or hues of charcoal, green are like Chinese medicine.

"Spiritual Bliss" Jadeite Bangle Bracelets BB2726

 

For many people, jade is not just "jewelry", it's medicine for the body, mind and spirit.

Gratitude - Another Reason Why People Wear Jade

Both new and long-time customers have been buying their special gift for themselves with the "excuse" (if you need an excuse) that's it's their holiday gift for themselves.  And women who reward themselves, cherish who they are.  I receive many emails of thanks from customers who receive their new jade bangle, or pendant or other jade item,  and they wish they could post a review, but when the one of a kind item is sold, there's nothing to review on.   They are grateful for their jade, I am grateful to have a jade lover as a customer.

I subscribe to an online medical journal, and the survey this week is "Is a Grateful Heart a Healthier Heart?", a small study with persons who have coronary heart disease keeping a daily gratitude list may reduce the rate of acute events.  94% say "yes".  From a cognitive behavioral point of view,  daily gratitude causes happiness, which raise the endorphin level in your body.  That helps your mood, decreases pain levels and those cognitive positives actually physically make you healthier. 

As I've written before, if you choose jade because you are attracted to it, and you are so attracted to it you perhaps drool when you look at, your heart beats faster, that's the qi energy of the jade working for you.  When you finally receive that particular piece, and have body contact with it, your body chemistry will change from the qi energy, from the psychological and physicals responses of having that jade piece on your body. 

Thanksgiving is an American tradition, but we can all benefit from a daily thanksgiving we personally practice.  Writing in a journal what you are grateful for each day is a transforming process for body, mind and spirit.  Your life will improve.  When you are going through a difficult day or long period in your life, to take the time to write down what you are grateful for is cognitive behavioral positive therapy for yourself.  It helps you have a happier day, and helps you get through difficult times in your life.

Most of the jade bangle bracelets have a description that's not just the physical description of the jade, it's also the qi  description:  "calm spirit", "Dao balancing", "high energy", "peaceful spirit", "overcoming adversity".   This is the qi energy of the jade based not only the energetic "feel", but also the Chinese medicine energy.  The colors are related to your body meridians, and the earth elements.  These are part of Chinese medicine, and the Dao.

"Harmony" Yang on Yin Small Jadeite Bangle Bracelet

"Charming Wealthy Snake Jadeite Pendant"

 

"Free Your Spirit" White Translucent Jadeite Bangle Bracelet

Your jade is something that brings you gratitude.  And gratitude is good for  your heart,
all of you. 

Black Friday Sales On Jade

Black Friday sales start on Thursday!

Our customers are located all over the world, and with all the different time zones, Black Friday can be from my location's  Thursday through Saturday.  We don't want you to miss out, and you can start your shopping now.

The Black Friday sale is 20% off jade bangle bracelets. These include the Old Mine Lao Pit jadeite bangles, newer jadeite bangles with certificates, and classic Chinese jade bangle collections.  Check the Black Friday Sale link on the web sites for details.

JHBB572 Old Mine Lao Pit Jadeite Bangle Bracelet

 

 

Traditional Round Chinese Jade Bangle Bracelets

 

 

 

Be sure to check the Black Friday sale link on the web sites to see if your order is eligible for a special free gift.   The sale and gift is our way of "gifting" our jade loving customers for the holidays.

Jade Gifts for the Holidays - Jade Bangle Bracelets Gift

Women who love jade bangle bracelets often want to give a jade bangle as a special gift to someone but don't know what size they should get.  Since most Burmese jadeite bangle bracelets are one of a kind, and you give one of these to a friend, or a sister, and she falls in love with it at first sight, it could be very disappointing for her to exchange it because the exchanged one just won't be the same.

So you can you find someone's jade bangle size?  Men sometimes ask me this question when they want to buy a jade bangle for their wife, girlfriend or mother. 

If they admire your jade bangle and it occurs to you that you might buy one as a gift for them, have them try it on.  If it fits, then you know the size.  If it's a little large or small, you can go up or down a couple of millimeters.  Or while you are shopping with them, you can have them try on a costume jewelry bangle, and then learn the size from one that fits.

Another option is to get as close a guess as you can about the size, then order a Chinese jade classic style bangle from Ying Yu Jade.  These are very similar in color because my jade carver makes them from the same jade rough.  So they are not too difficult to exchange.  There are also some genuine and natural white, and deep deep green almost black jade bangles.

Genuine Natural Traditional Chinese Jade Bangle Bracelets

We often sell these green, black and white jade bangle bracelets to women who need several jade bangles that are similar.  Bridesmaids often all wear the same style, as a gift from the bride.  And sisters, best friends sometimes like to each have a jade bangle carved from the same jade stone.  That makes them special, true sisters in jade.

And of course if you purchase a jade bangle bracelet and it just doesn't fit right, we make exchanges as easy as possible for you.

So consider a special gift of jade, for someone special.

How Do I Bless My Jade?

I often get asked "how do I bless my jade".   Some of us regard our jade as very sacred, and want to honor it, perhaps with a blessing.

I have two small jade carvings of Guan Yin,  Buddha of Compassion, and when I think about blessing jade, they come to mind.  Guan Yin holds a vase, symbol of blessing, and is standing on an open lotus.  I want to hold them, close to my heart.

 

Blog readers know I'm a Qi Healer and Reiki Master, and energy is a part of my life.  When it's time to take photos of jade, especially jade bangle bracelets, I get a box out of storage, and take out the jade bangles a few days in advance, because when they set in the box, and some have been boxed for more than 10 years, they make me wonder why I purchased them, they have no "personality".  We choose a day to take photos when the sun is out, not cloudy, and photograph the jade in natural light, although not directly in the sun.  I want them to look like they really are, and not edit them, so when you get your jade, it's like the photo shows.   While the photographer sets up, they get tested by refraction to make sure they are genuine jadeite, then I put them on my wrists, and when I get my wrists full, they are ready to be photographed.  Touching them for testing, having them on my wrist for awhile, and taking them outside in daylight, they start look much more pretty.  That's why I write in the descriptions that your jade will look more pretty as you wear it.  That's the qi energy.  You are blessing the jade with your qi, and the jade shares the qi with you.

 When customers ask me to infuse their jade with qi, or Reiki, I hold it in my hands during my meditation time.  I feel the flow of qi from the jade to my hands.  The jade gets a "glow" (and the arthritis in my fingers feels much better, too).

How to bless your jade:
Find a comfortable place to sit.  Hold your jade in your hands.  Focus exclusively on the jade in your hands.  Feel the jade.   Smile.  Gather your good feelings, wishes, hopes and dreams and place them in an imaginary gold  ball by your heart (or any color that appeals to you).  Push the gold ball through your arms to your hands, feel  your hands glow with the gold, and let your jade absorb your qi energy of the gold ball.  Hold it, enjoy the feeling for as long as you want to.  Your jade is blessed.

"Porch Pirates" How far can our jade go to protect us?

"Porch Pirates" have been in the news the past couple of weeks.  These pirates are people who follow delivery trucks, then when the truck leaves, if the package is on the porch, they take it.  And they walk around their neighborhood looking for packages the mail carrier left on porches, next to mail boxes, even peek in mail boxes to see if there's anything they would like to take.  Most often, the pirates are people who live in the neighborhood.

I pay an extra fee to my postage program to send me a daily report on packages that were delivered, packages with a delivery status of "failed" (whatever that means), and delivery status of "exception",  which usually means there wasn't anyone available to sign for a package when it was shipped with signature confirmation.  I was very relieved to see the "delivered" status until the porch pirates became more active.

The status could show "delivered" when you use the tracking number, but that doesn't mean the customer really got it.

For the holidays, and probably for the future, packages that have a value of around $200 or more will be shipped with signature confirmation.  Of course, that means shipping prices will increase.  But we both want to know that expensive jade bangle bracelet got on your wrist, not someone elses.

So what do you think happens to jade that is "pirated"?  Do you think the thief can wear the jade bangle with "happiness and good luck"? 

"Pirates" are a dilemma to deal with.  After much meditation on the problem,  I realized that although I can't win the war against them,  Karma will take effect and their jade will probably bring them bad luck.

This holiday season, and probably for the future, you can protect yourself from "porch pirates" several ways.  If you have home security, you can have cameras on your porch or where packages are delivered.   You can track the packages, and know when they arrive and be present.  Or if you can't be present, you can talk with your mail carrier if it's coming by USPS, and let mail carrier know where you want your package, somewhere safer.  If UPS, you can go online to change the delivery day if you won't be home to accept it.  Or request your seller to ship with signature required.  If it's USPS, and signature is required, you can arrange to have it delivered when you are available, or pick it up at your post office. The carrier will leave a note with your options.

Your jade has good qi energy to protect you.  Take precautions so you do get it.

Jade for Women's Wellness -Jade "Yoni" Eggs for Kegel Exercise

We have been selling  jade eggs and ben wa balls for women's health for several years.   In fact, we were one of the first sellers of these in USA.  Now they are very popular, and have even been featured on television talk shows.  But with so many to choose from now, it can be confusing.

Jade Eggs for Women

Unfortunately, with this new web site that doesn't allow for much variation, I haven't found a good reviews program to add to it.  Most of our items are one of a kind, and when it's sold, it's "gone", so there's no way to leave a review for it.

Here's a review I received on Etsy:
"It's been three weeks since receiving my eggs I use them once a day.. I have gained so much control of my yoni. Intimacy is so much greater I am really happy ..Thank you so much.. They are truly a gift. "

I started selling them because I used them myself, and was very happy with how much tighter my pelvis got, and no more "gotta go" and I can sleep all night without having to get up and urinate.  And I think by using them, I honor my body more.

Jade Ben Wa Balls

This is Women's Wellness weekend on Jade Heaven, and the basic sets are priced lower than we have offered them in the past.  Try them now!  And if you like them, give them as a gift to a special lady friend.

Women's Wellness Weekend

Black Friday for Jade?

Customers have been asking and waiting for "Black Friday" sales.  Some retailers have used Veterans Day and Friday the 13th as the beginning of Black Friday.  This weekend will start our holiday sales. 

There were stories on the news and online stating  Black Friday is often not the best time to get your best deals.  Research indicated that many retailers mark up their prices, so they can offer deep discounts during special sales.  Our prices have always been real prices, and our sales are always real sales.  I really get frustrated when I purchase something online, only tot see a lower price on it in less than a week.  And I try to treat customers the way I want to be treated, so I consider that when offering discounts and sales.

Heavenly Jade

Several jade loving customers make sure their account is up to date on our web sites.  Then they make a wish list by adding what they would love to have for holiday gifts.  Our shopping carts are designed to keep your added items in the cart.  They might sell out and not be available, but the cart stays intact.  Then they give the login information to their loved ones who want to buy something special for them, and the buyer can easily see their wish list items, and purchase them.  They often have the order  shipped to a work address so it will be a  real surprise. 

We will continue the Daily Specials and Sale collections, update them and offer good deals for you. When you see the storefront design "holiday style", you will know that discounts are the best and lowest prices we can offer.

Happy shopping!

Jade for Craft Shows

It's that time of year, when holiday craft shows are popular.  Our community has a craft show in November.  This year, it was the Saturday after we were gone for a week, and I didn't have time to "get it together" to participate.  I always enjoy looking at what crafters make, and do some of my Christmas shopping at our local craft show.  A girlfriend and I used to knit fashion scarves using fancy yarns.  We are both busy women who enjoyed spending time with each other, but liked something to do with our hands, and loom knitting was perfect because we didn't have to think about it much, and then accomplished something while we were doing "nothing".  And we would sell them at the craft show.

I had my jade carver make very small jade baby bangle bracelets to use with the scarves and you could tie the bangle to the scarf for a unique jade item.  They never sold when I had them on the web site, but they were very popular at the craft show.  And I kept a supply of jade eggs and ben wa balls with me, which are also very popular.

My girlfriend who I used to shared a table with at the craft show told me people kept asking "where's that jade lady".   "That jade lady" will probably use the few scarves I still have to wrap around your new  pretty jade bangle bracelet you purchase for yourself during this holiday season.  If you want a scarf  with your jade bangle purchase, write a note in the comments box and while they last I will include it with your order. The small jade baby bangles are available on the YYJ web site.

Remember the "Make an Offer" Deals?

Long time customers will remember our "make an offer" sales. When the new web site was opened in May, it was more automated than the old site and transactions work out best if they are done online.  Also, long time customers will notice that the prices on the high end old mine "lao pit" jadeite are significantly lower than they were previously, so there's not much room for making an offer.  You really get a good deal on older, vintage genuine jadeite now because although the web sites are "new", they were developed to be more automated, have lower prices.   Long time customers have also seen my blogs about working towards retiring soon.  It's been a struggle to price the best quality jade as low as possible, because I know it has much higher value, is rare and precious, but I would like to see it sold and on a jade lover's wrist instead of a box in my inventory.

The old mine lao pit jadeite is truly rare and precious.  "Lao" means "old" in Chinese.  This jade was mined prior to the year 2000 and before the political and military conflicts in Burma.  Since then, the lao pit mines have been closed, abandoned, destroyed during the conflicts.  The USA despised the political situation, and put sanctions on Burma (Myanmar) to punish it for inhumane behavior.  The USA intended to embargo resources like gas, oil.  But you know how politics go.  The politics of politics and greed often wipe out any benefits.  Mr. Lantos was an embargo  promoter and lobbied in Washington for strict sanctions.  But when all was said an done, the only embargo was against jadeite and rubies. It became illegal to import jadeite to USA, even if it was purchased by Chinese, carved into bangles, pendants, and sold to USA citizens.  Did it work? No.  People in USA bought embargoed jadeite on ebay after the embargo date of 2008.  Could I risk buying jadeite considering  my significant jade web presence?   No.   That's why our descriptions state the year the jade was purchased on our shopping trips in China.

When I fell in love with jade in 1999, I was still working my "real" job, psychology and counseling.  Computer technology was become more common, and I went to a webmaster school to learn web design, and build a web site for online counseling.  It turned into a jade health and wellness web site when I learned about the healing characteristics of jade. When I went to Beijing to learn Chinese medicine,  I met a Chinese doctor who helped me get genuine natural Chinese jade for health tools like jade rollers and gua sha, and we met a jade expert who supplied jade for me.  I also went to China every year during my summer vacation to buy jade.  And I spent every extra dollar I made buying the grade A old mine jadeite bangle bracelets.  Not because I knew an embargo was coming, but because I planned to quit my real job in 2004 and sell jade online. I still have boxes of jadeite bangle bracelets I purchased during 1999-2005.  They turned out to be an investment I am using now.

And yes, it's all real jade.  I went to China the first time to learn Chinese medicine, learning about jade and healing and wellness, and committed myself to only "real" jade.  Working with a Chinese doctor meant only real, genuine jade.

Back on track to the subject selling old mine lao pit jadeite:   instead of "make an offer", this auspicious November I'm offering 11% off the collection on higher end priced jadeite bangles $1011+.  And the sale will go through November 11.  The details and coupon are on the Sale page.   

You will get a great discount price, and be able to purchase fine grained jadeite at prices lower than they sell them for in China.  I know it's priced lower than Chinese prices because I really get harassed by Chinese jade sellers about making my prices too low.

Also sale 11% off  on the Ying Yu Jade web site. 

Old Mine Lao Pit Grade A Jadeite Bangle Bracelet

The old experienced jade carvers would study their boulder of jadeite until they got a good "feel" for it, and decided how they wanted to use it.  Then they chose an auspicious day to do the carving.  I like that.   "Auspicious" and "jade" work well together. That's the basis for this sale, November, 11's, and Veteran's Day November 11.  I'm a Navy veteran, by the way.

Life's Challenges and Pleasures

Our few days in Key West last week were a combination of challenges and pleasures.   It was mostly a very enjoyable experience, but challenging physically, being on the go all the time.  I always desire my days off to be relaxing, but I like to do interesting things, too.

If you are in Key West, you simply have to shop on Duval Street.  So many unique things.  I always get a tee shirt, and this year it was so hot I got a tank top, with Conch Republic logo and art work from their tee shirt factory next to the Simonton Court bed and breakfast we stayed.  Last year, I wanted a Key West hurricane bracelet, but didn't get one, so buying one was on my list.  The Hurricane Bracelets are very symbolic to me because we moved to Florida in 2004, and six weeks after we arrived, three hurricanes came through central Florida in six weeks, and all three intersected within 10 miles of our home. It's rare for central Florida to get the full force of a hurricane.   So it was a stressful time for us.  Every time there's a hurricane near Florida, we feel the relief of it not affecting us directly, and consider the winds and rain that reach our area to be a blessing.

The person who designed these was selling them at the street market last Friday, so I had a chance to talk with him.  He helped me find the best size for my non-bangle wrist and showed me how to put it on and remove it.  It's a little tricky because the ball in the middle has to travel around the swirl and get pulled out.  And there was a story that went with the bracelet.  Sounds like buying jade from our stores, doesn't it!  Symbolism and a story.

"Hurricanes always grow in strength and each one has its lessons to teach with every passing season.  Share this charming bracelet wit those who have experienced your challenges and pleasures in life.  This design, with its unique clasp, locks in the center and wears perfectly with your personality". 

Good thoughts for mindful meditation.  And a reminder as I wear it during the day.

And it does look good when I wear it on the same wrist as my jade bangle bracelet.  But I like it by itself on my non-bangle wrist.  More symbolic for me.

Jade for November

If you wear jade as "medicine", and use the jade qi energy for health and wellness, November  is the month you want jade that balances the Metal meridian.

The month of November is related to the lungs and lung meridian, which is the metal element. Often people feel the emotion of grief in November, which is the lung qi being out of balance. Expressing feelings of grief help to rid the body of this excess. Keep grief bottled up inside can lead to problems breathing, and contribute to the growth of tumors or cancer. Breath is essential to life.

The Chinese term chi is usually translated as energy, but it really means breath. The energy of the body is the breath of the body; the energy of the heart is the breath of the heart. They are one and the same.

So if you wish to guard your health and enhance it, one of the best things you can do is engage in some form of spiritual meditation that emphasize breath. Not only will this energize you, it will clear much of the grief we all experience by living in this world. Excess grief exaggerates the force of contraction, crushing the heart nestled within the canopy of the lung. But grief can be cleared, restoring our connection to the love of the world and the divine, which are ever-present. If you are an advanced meditation practitioner, you can learn Tonglen meditation, using your breath as medicine to heal yourself, and to go a step further, practicing into the world. 

If you wear jade for health, this is a good time to wear your white jade, as white is the color associated with lung qi that also has moss or green viens.. "Winter white" jade is not pure white, but has other hues of lavender, gray and/or green to help balance the stark white energy. Most of the "lao pit" soft white with green veins have just the right qi for this time of year.

"Snowy White" Grade A Jadeite Bangle Bracelet #251

Glowing Translucent White Old Mine Lao Pit Jadeite Bangle Bracelet #BB588

Auspicious white jadeite 3-D Horse Pendant

"Bat" is the symbol of happiness

I'm wearing my older, carved jadeite bangle bracelet with a bat carved on it in a honey color area.  So I not only have the symbol of happiness, but also the jade color associated with happiness.

I'm always very happy when customers receive their jade order and tell me how much they like their new jade bangle, jade pendant, the gua sha tools, jade eggs, or whatever they ordered.  Jade is so personal with its qi energy, and I feel like the jade that's been in the office has become personal to me because I've touched it and handled it while it was being listed, and while I described it I was truly "up close and personal" with it.  I get very attached to it and am very happy when it is purchased by a jade lover.

One of the features I added to the web site is an auto-generated coupon that is emailed to customers after their order is processed.  It's for 10% discount on their next purchase and good for 10 days.  It's a very good tool for jade lovers who are growing their jade collection.  As they get to know the quality of the jade we sell, and want more, it's a nice discount to use to add another item to their jade collection.   When you buy your very first jade bangle bracelet, you wear it for awhile and learn how it fits, how it feels, and if you wear jade for health and wellness, you feel the qi energy working for you. Then you get ideas for other jade you want to balance out your "wellness tools".  Customer feedback about the coupon indicates you are happy with that discount.

I like carvings of bat, lingzhi and lotus (immortal plant, often with fish), Phoenix (symbol of woman and yin and often with Dragon for Dao balance).   I also like the Dao bagua for being in harmony with nature.  And of course Guan Yin, Buddha of Compassion. 

On my first trip to China in 1999, the tour guide took us to Summer Palace and there were "bats" all over, and I thought they were kind of creepy.  The tour guide told us they were symbols of happiness, and that's when I became aware of Dao and symbolism, and it was an enlightening experience.

"Happy Pig" with Bat Jadeite Pendant JHP32

I'm going to wear my "happy bat" carved jadeite bangle bracelet when I take a few days off this week to have some fun before we start holiday business which goes through Chinese New Year.  I have to stay happy, so I can help you be happy with your Heavenly Jade purchases.

Jade Flutes

This is "clean up the office weekend" and there are always suprises, what I find that got misplaced.  I was pulling boxes off a shelf, and noticed some long Chinese silk boxes, and it dawned on me that those are the jade flutes.  And they didn't get added to the new YYJ web site when we made the change this spring.

Jade Flute on Ying Yu Jade, limited quantity

I had these jade flutes made for me after visiting a government jade museum in northeastern China in 2002.  The jade carver did a good job, found the perfect box to use for them, and shipped to me after I got home. These were difficult to carve from the jade rough and I received only 25% of the number I requested because so many broke during carving.  Getting the holes drilled was quite a challenge.    There are two remaining, and will be the Daily Special. 

I found a lot of odds and ends of "things" I bought in China.  Some are jade, some are other Chinese interesting items.  If you want a gift with your purchase, write a note in the comments box and I will include a "little something" with your order. 

Unique Jade Finds While Shopping in China

When I go to China to buy jade, I often must travel from a major city, like Beijing in the northern part of China, then to Dandong and Xiuyan.  In the south, I start in Hong Kong, then take the train to Guangzhou, then buses south toward Burma and where the jadeite is, and the jade carvers work.  Sometimes the bus drivers would make a slight detour to drop me off at a jade carvers workshop that they recommended.  Then I would wander around, look at the culture, the people, the entire area, as well as the jade.  And, oh my gosh, the strange foods I would eat! The people I would meet!  And the jade carvers and their families I would meet, talk with, shop with, have tea with. Of course I would find and buy jade bangle bracelets, but I would also find unique other jade pieces.

Then when I got home, I just couldn't sell them.  They had so many memories that I would put them in plastic containers I can see through, and decorate my office with them while they were still in their original purchase condition.  The unique jade items were one of a kind, or very limited quantity, so I could justify "hoarding" them.

I'm sharing now.

Small jadeite bottles with "hong" red screw on tops

The little jadeite bottles are so sweet.  Some were green like in the photo, and some  had lavender hues.  The tops are "hong" red and carved with a peg that has wire wrapped around it, then wire on the inside of the top, so the tops actually screw on.  They were made for fragrance, or herbs, or "something special", and sometimes the string of "Dragon Whisker" silk cords would be attached to the loops at the top so could be worn as a pendant, or close to the heart.

Carved jadeite barrel made into bracelet

This carved tube jadeite bracelet was unique and there were only three, so of course I kept one and wear it with my jade bangle, they look good together.  There are always these kind of jadeite bracelets on adjustable knotted cord, but some really stand out for the quality of the jade stone and the overall appearance.

I emptied a box this weekend with "special finds" on my shopping trips, and most of them have been or are being listed.  They are wonderful to wear, and would make a great gift, and that's what I did with most of the unique jade I found.  Gifts for the girlfriends.

So Many Jade Bangle Bracelets!

I finished unpacking the jade bangle bracelets from my new shipment from China today.  The next step is to get them photographed, then listed on the web sites.  They will be listed on Ying Yu Jade and JadeBangleBracelets.com  web sites.  Since there are so many of the Chinese river jade bangle bracelets, part of them will go into storage and be added over time so there is a balances of all the different jade products on the web sites.

"Blood Red Hong" Chinese Jade Bangle Bracelets #JBB3170

This has been a busy week.  Not only are there more of the Chinese jade bangle bracelets added, but also more jadeite bangle bracelets.  Since this is a holiday weekend, I'm taking some time off, too.  There are Weekend Specials on all three web sites which are good from now through Monday.  You can save from 10-12% using the coupon codes and there are other Specials on some of the sites.  

I hoarded only three for myself this week.  But I will enjoy looking at them, trying them on, and probably put them back on the web site because they pile up on my desk.

We are attracted to the jade that has the best energy for us.  So I think about why I crave the "hong" red and green jade bangle in the photo.  I think my heart needs a rest, and some joy over the weekend for my overall health.   Hong red jade is so rare to find in natural color.  These river jade bangle bracelets are the kind of jade Chinese people used to wear all the time.  I went to a Chinese government jade museum that is closed to the public but I was escorted by a government official.  This river jade was everywhere: bangle bracelets, pendants, tea pot sets, cups, and the most fabulous carvings, some bigger than me.  And Chinese medicine uses the qi energy of the jade colors for health and healing.  Some people and some gemologists don't consider this to be "real jade", but it's China's National Jade, and a treasure to cherish.  You would be amazed if you went to some of the jade carving cities north and east of Beijing.  That's where most of China's jade is mined.  On one of my visits, my traveling companion took me into some of the local's homes, and that's the kind of jade I saw there.  And it's the kind of jade  you see in Forbidden City and other tourist sites.  So get a little bit of real China on  your wrist, sit and breathe, and feel the real China right on your body.  Imagine....

New Jade Shipment from China

I have started unpacking the new shipment of jade I received from my jade carver in China.  Most of it is the Chinese "river jade" bangle bracelets.  This river jade is very traditional, also known as "China's National Jade" because it has been used for centuries. It's the kind of jade that bangles were made from before jadeite was introduced to China in the 19th century. The color comes from the minerals in the water where the jade is mined.  Each one is different..

I also received a box of jade eggs and ben wa balls for women, and jade gua sha tools.

 

Chinese "River Jade" Bangle Bracelets for Ying Yu Jade

These Chinese river jade bangle bracelets will also be added to the JadeBangleBracelets web site. There are a limited quantity on JadeBangleBracelets now, and more to follow.

The Yin and Yang of Life and Jade

Hurricane Joaquin has been hovering at category 4 over the Bahama Islands.  A cold front moving through Florida pushed it north so it won't hit the USA.  This morning it was hot and humid when I was outdoors in the morning.  When I went for my sunset walk this evening I had to bundle up because it was cold.  And I changed my very yin jade bangle bracelet for my vintage carved jadeite bangle bracelet.  The carving and color is more yang, and it has some honey veins for the autumn transition. 

At least once each year, when there is a disaster, I do a week of fundraising to make a donation to the American Red Cross.  It's not an official business accounting type of donation, it's personal.  I take a percentage of profits from sales during the week and write a check to the ARC specifying where I prefer the funds to be used.  Starting today, the designated  disaster is the Bahamas.  When you make a purchase on Ying Yu Jade or Jade Heaven web sites, I will set aside at least 20% of profit for Bahamas.  There's a small island in the Bahamas that was particularly hard hit.  Friends live there, and have sent photos.  Their electricity is still out, the airport has been significantly damaged.  The island has a lot of poverty, and they are "angels" who do charitable work for the islanders.  They physically do labor, building and rebuilding and repairing, as well as feeding people, and fundraising.  Almost three days of 120-135 mph wind has caused a lot of devastation.  If you are planning to purchase jade soon, it would be very helpful if you made your purchase now through next Sunday.  When you make your purchase, write "free gift" in the comments box on the order form and I will send you a small spiritual-type of gift to show appreciation. 

Yellow Jade and Yellow Turmeric for October

Today I put on a natural color Chinese "old river jade" bangle bracelet with honey/yellow veins on it, and my body seemed to slip into a blissful state.  My tai chi and yoga practice this morning felt powerful.  And it was time to cook up my turmeric Ayurvedic food-medicine for an inflammatory and arthritis condition I have. 

1/4 cup of organic good natural yellow color turmeric powder with 1/2 cup pure water, mix well in a small saucepan and turn on heat until it begins to come to a boil, then reduce to lowest heat.  Stir constantly for 8 minutes.  Heat can damage the properties of turmeric so keep the heat as low as possible.  A paste will form, and if it gets too thick, add a little more water.  Remove from heat after 8 minutes and cool. Keep refrigerated up to 10 days.  Use about 1/2 teaspoon of this turmeric paste daily.  Mix it with 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper, freshly ground is best.  Turmeric is not easily absorbed to get the benefits, and black pepper helps with absorption.  Turmeric also needs some fat with it for proper absorption, and some people add whole milk.  I'm lactose intolerant, so I add coconut oil or olive oil.  My usual turmeric "tea" is 1/2 teaspoon of the turmeric paste, with a bit of honey, the black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon powdered ginger, and a little coconut oil. 

You can do an online search about the benefits, and side effects, of turmeric.  Last year I had an inflammatory disease diagnosed by high inflammatory markers in my blood tests. I was prescribed steroid tablets, prednisone, a maintenance dose for a year.  The steroids did a lot of damage to my body.  When I stopped the prednisone, all the symptoms returned.  That's when I got desperate and got the turmeric remedy from my acupuncture doctor.  The overwhelming melt down heat-sweats-melting sensation went away.  And so did a lot of my arthritis and inflammatory pain.  When we went on our road trip last month, I took the Boswellia and Curcumin tablets with me for the 9 days we were gone.  Symptoms returned.  I learned about 1) the naturalness of turmeric powder; 2) the necessity of pepper and oil added to it so it will be absorbed by the body.

I'm sharing this information about turmeric because I am truly dedicated to  natural wellness. That's a reason why all of our jade is genuine and natural.  But I go a step beyond just selling genuine and natural jade:  it has to have the good healing qi energy, or I don't buy it in the first place.  And I sell only jade that I personally would wear.

Best wishes to all of you for a happy, healthy, and auspicious October.

October and Chinese Wellness-What Kind of Jade to Wear During October

October and Chinese Wellness

The cycle of yin reverses its movement in aututm, October. It's a time when our health and energy need to be protected. The month of October is related to the lungs and lung meridian, which is the metal element. Summer is a season of joy and fun, but metal autumn cannot tolerate this. When metal has too much pleasure, joy and elation, this leads to pathology according to Chinese Medicine. This is manifested in depression, skin wrinkles and shrivels, hair becomes brittle. Metal is related to the lung, and is associated with the colon. Metal needs a certain amount of warmth to function properly. Too little warmth causes this metal organ to become brittle and stiff, but too much warmth causes instability as metal melts when it gets too hot. Too much joy can injure the lungs, resulting in loss of elasticity and oxygen imbalance, as we see in asthma and emphysema.The colon is also important for removing toxins from the body. If the colon is out of balance, which can result in constipation, as well as the emotions of becoming rigid in beliefs and believing things are true when they are not.

Yellow jade has energy for the spleen meridian which helps to balance qi for stomach problems. White jade has qi energy to balance the lung meridian.
Chinese tea is also helpful to drink for benefits to improve your immune system to ward off the colds and flu that often come in October. Green tea is a classic tea with many health benefits.

Yellow Old Mine Lao Pit Jadeite Bangle Item #JHBB280

Jade for October
If you wear jade to balance your body qi, this is the time to wear either your white and yellow color jade or a Chinese river jade that is colorful and high energy for keeping your immune system strong in October. You want more energy from your jade this time of year to keep you healthy in body, mind and spirit. And of course, classic green jade is a standby to balance body, mind and spirit.

Yellow Hollow Carved Jade Bead Necklace JHP22

Ying Yu Jade Chinese "River Jade" Bangle Bracelet Collection

A special offer to Blog readers:  take 10% off your order of $100+ on Jade Heaven or Ying Yu Jade with coupon code   BLOG10       Coupon expires October 5.