AAA+++ Jade Grade - What Does it Mean?

I often get visitors to the web site who ask me where the "AAA+++" jade is, because they searched and couldn't find that grade.  They could find "only" A grade.

In the gemology world, AAA grade doesn't exist.  And AAA+++ in a jade description is a warning signal to you that it's either fake or color treated.

Web site visitors (I won't call them customers because they want only that AAA+++) have told me how cheap they can buy jade bangles and pendants on ebay and some other jade sites that are very good green and the AAA+++, and they bought them and love them.  They are "disappointed" to find only grade A and natural, earthy color on Jade Heaven.   Of course, I ask them to send me links so I can check it out.

I bought a few pieces to find out for myself what it is really like.  One of the purchases I made are very nice green translucent bead bracelets that are now in the clearance section on YYJ.  They were so bleached out that the stone was fragile.  A few months ago I bought a very good green translucent jade bangle bracelet on ebay from one of the AAA+++ sellers. I've kept it on my desk and half of the green color has disappeared.  A couple of years ago when I first saw this rating, I bought a jade bangle that had pretty green veins and when I found it last week while I was cleaning up, the color had turned to all brown.

For years, and mostly after the Lantos embargo on jadeite, some of the big gem and jewelry sellers like HSN have added disclaimers to their gemstones "gemstones and pearls are sometimes treated to enhance their natural beauty".  Diamond, rubies, emerald, opals and in fact most gemstones have been enhanced by heat, dyes.  And just because jade is color enhanced does not mean it's fake.  it's still real jade.  I'm very experienced at being able to look at jade and know if it's natural color or not, but sometimes I really can't tell and it takes a gemologist to test it.  One of my personal jadeite bangle bracelet is C grade.  I've had it for 15 years and the color has not changed, it's still very beautiful.  It was made when jade carvers did color treating purposely to enhance jade appearance, not to try to pass it off as natural.  That's why the overall quality is so good, and it still has good jade qi energy.

AAA and AAA+++ is not a gemology term for jade.  A, B and C are the grades used by gemologist.  A is natural genuine jadeite.  B is washed with acid, or color added.  C is the grade for jadeite washed with acid, then infused with color.

I can promise you that Jade Heaven and YYJ  does not have and will not carry AAA+++ grade jade.  (Except for the beads in clearance)  So don't be disappointed if you find only grade A jadeite.

JH268 Genuine Natural Color Jadeite Bangle Bracelet

We Can Never Have too Many Jade Bangle Bracelets

My long-time jade bangle bracelet customers visit the Ying Yu Jade and Jade Heaven websites often, several times a week, and even every day.  And some of them add a note to their order when they purchase another jade bangle, "I really shouldn't, but I really want just one more".  I certainly understand that feeling, because sometimes I feel slightly guilty for hoarding all the jade bangles I keep for myself.

We call this JAD:   Jade Affective Disorder

If you have a good supply of jade bangle bracelets, and you see one that really appeals to you, and you just "gotta have it", it might not be an extravagance.  It might be the color or the jade veins pattern appeal to you because it has the qi energy your body needs at this time.  If you wear jade often, you become more aware and mindful of your qi energy, how your body is balanced.  "Body Feng Shui".   There are five colors of natural jade: green, red (called hong in Chinese), yellow, black or charcoal, and white.  These colors are related to the five meridians: liver, heart, spleen, kidney and lung.  There's also lavender, which is related to a special meridian, "Big Heaven".  So when you eyes see a jade and it really appeals to you, your qi-intuition is speaking to you.  And if you feel like it's so appealing that you almost drool over it, chances are it's your body qi craving it for balance.

I spent the last two days packing my personal jade, and jade for the online stores and the inventory.  We have to be out of the home end of May, because June 1 it's being demolished and the new one will start getting built to replace our damaged home from the hail storm and tornado.  It takes a long time to pack jade because it's so enjoyable to touch and look at while I'm doing it.  But jade is rock, and rock is heavy.  I'm exhausted at the end of the day, but surprisingly not sore when I packed the jade.  I still have a lot to pack, maybe only 20 percent through all the jade.  I came across the stash of jadeite bangles from the "ring of sister" jade bangles I bought at least 12 years ago, and there's still a few remaining.  I decided to reward myself for all the work I've been doing by taking (another) one to wear now.  They are all from the same jade rough, so all very similar.  The one that appealed to me has more green veins that the one I wear most of time, and is more translucent.  It looked dull, though, so I thought it might not be one other women would want.  In fact, they all looked dull.  I store jade the way it's supposed to be stored: in a dark, cool, moist place.

Ring of "Sister Jade Bangles" carved from the same rough purchased in 2005
Photo taken in China, they are much more pretty than this photo shows.

 Did you every stop wearing a jade bangle for awhile, then when you decided to wear it again it just didn't look right?  That's what happens when jade isn't worn,  It doesn't share qi energy, and loses some of its beauty.

I put the sister bangle on, and it's only three hours since I've been wearing it.  The green is more pronounced, the green veins stand out more, and the translucence is glowing.  And I feel more calm and relaxed.   It called to me, and I made the right decision to wear it.

 If you are a jade lover, trust that you will know the right kind of jade for you to wear.  You change, your jade needs change, and you will intuitively know what jade you need to keep you balanced. 

And that's the main reason I have purchased only genuine and natural color jade to sell online. 

Ying Yu Jade Jade Acu-Rollers, Jade "Needles" to Stimulate Your Body Qi Flow

 Jade acu-rollers were designed by a Chinese medicine doctor in Beijing for Ying Yu Jade. The roller is large and heavy and "needles" are carved on the top of the roller to stimulate the acupressure points on the meridians to keep your body qi flowing smoothly.  Roll the acu-roller along your arms, legs, hips, chest and back and sides, neck: all over your body.  This stimulates the body qi.





Then follow with the jade double roller to smooth and soothe the qi energy after it has been stimulated.  Use the small end of the roller for face and small body parts, and the larger roller end for long areas, like arms, legs, back.

YYJ "Roll into Spring" offer gives you two jade rollers for the price of one.  Buy the acu-roller and get the classic jade double roller free

Special Sale: Buy the acu-roller, get the jade double roller free

Keep your body health by stimulating your qi energy to flow through the meridians.  A few minutes 3-4 times a week, or every day if you are suffering from chronic health problems, can improve your health, body, mind and spirit.

My Jewelry Box (es)

It's been a year since Ying Yu Jade was moved to the new web site.  There's still some products that haven't been listed on the new site.  "The Plan" is to keep Ying Yu Jade a Chinese jade site, including the Chinese jade bangle bracelets, especially the carved Dynasty styles that my jade carver made exclusively for YYJ.  Also for jade rollers, gua sha tools, pillow covers, and other jade health tools.  There's a variety of Chinese jade bangle bracelets, including the "luminous" almost black jade bangles made from the kind of jade that is usually reserved for making cups and teapots in China.  The "river jade" bangle bracelets are used to balance the body's meridians and qi balance, and the colors are related to the qi meridians.  And jade carvings and teapots are older and made in the traditional way.  None of Ying Yu Jade is commercial quality, intended for export.  My jade carver is very traditional and doesn't make jade for export because he has a small business. 

One of the categories missing on the new YYJ is the "YYJ Jewelry Box".  That's where I listed the jade bangle bracelets I had purchased for myself, and got carried away and bought "just one more".  My size is a small size, 53mm is the best size for me, but I can wear as small as 50mm, and 55mm if the jade bangle is wide.  I have only a few regular customers who are "my size".  The jade bangles in the "Jewelry Box" were also expensive.  I waited until I had purchased sufficient quantity for the web site, then spent every dollar I had on the very best for myself. 

Carved vintage jadeite bangle bracelet

When we get back into our home after it gets replaced, probably July, I plan to make a "Jewelry Box" category to include the small jade bangles I hoarded for myself, and other jadeite bangles that aren't my size, but I also hoarded because I love them so much.  When I was sorting through and packing up my personal collection, I was feeling sad that so many of them are in the drawer, not on a wrist.  I am ready to share now.

Imperial green vein jadeite bangle bracelet with Dynasty carved
Chinese Jade bangle and "spacer" jadeite bead bracelet

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day

Tomorrow April 30 is World Tai Chi and Qigong Day.

I remember many years ago when it first started, it was regional, then moved to national celebration, now for several years it's a world event. 

In 2003 before we moved to Florida, we were driving from Florida to Ohio on our trip home from a spring break week.  I told my husband that we had to stop at 10 AM so I could do Tai Chi.  As 10 AM approached,  I saw a gas station on hilltop that looked like it was not surrounded by buildings, and told him to stop there.  While he filled up the car with gas, I went to the back of the station that overlooked a valley and did my tai chi form.   Then we got in the car and drove.  I could feel all the energies of other people practicing and happy to be part of the 10 AM celebration at Eastern time.  And my dear husband didn't make any wisecracks or roll his eyes. 

If you play tai chi or practice qigong, wherever you are at your 10 AM, do your practice.  If  you don't do either, stop and breathe deeply for a minute or two and share in the good qi energies not only in your time zone, but around the world.

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day Website

Jade Bangle with Hinges: What You Can Do if Your Jade Bangle Breaks

Since I must be out of my home the end of May, my goal is to pack up a minimum of 8 boxes each day.  8 is an auspicious number.  I know that as I'm packing I'm going to find jade that I had "hoarded" over the years, and that will distract me.  Like today.

I found two jadeite bangle bracelets that have sterling silver hinges on them so you can open them up to put them on instead of sliding them over your wrist.

When I first started selling jade bangle bracelets, and through today, I get emails from women who are heartbroken because their jade bangle broke.  There's a blog post about what it means when your jade bangle breaks. But the big question is, what can I do about a broken jade bangle. 

I have a business friend in Thailand who told me about hinged jade bangle bracelets.  When the jade carver breaks a jade bangle he is carving in half, there are jewelers who add hinges.  I sent two of my broken jade bangle bracelets, and the photo shows how they were hinged for wearing.  But I never wore them again.  I thought I would save them until I was older and it got too painful to put on a jade bangle.

I found them in a secure section of the cabinet I store my personal jade in.  First, I was shocked that they looked so dull.  But that's expected.  Jade gets a "glow" of qi energy when it's worn.  But also retains its qi when it is stored.  I have heard that the "qi leaves the jade when it breaks", but that's a traditional Chinese belief.  I have chipped and cracked some jade pendants, and they still look as good as when they were "perfect".

They are beautiful.  The photo is one I took, not the professional photographer who takes the web site photos.  So much nicer than the photo shows. They don't have the high "chime" they used to have, and I'm wondering if it's because of the silver.  The hinges have a lot of metal, they are quite substantial. 

I think if I get older and get arthritis and it hurts to put on and take off a jade bangle, I will either wear one that's larger, or use the plastic bag method to put it on and remove it.  I like the "whole" feel of a jade bangle. 

Your comments are welcome.  To avoid having disturbing SPAM comments appear, I have this blog set to approve comments.  If you do comment, it might take a day to appear.

Jade for Spring, the Month of May. Chinese Health and Wellness

Spring is related to the Wood  element,  birth and new beginnings. The Wood element governs your mental clarity and your ability to focus, plan, and make judgments. When a person has a Wood imbalance, it is much too easy to make poor decisions and become disorganized. When the Liver is out of balance, it can direct energy upwards to create headaches, neck and upper back tension, or even rage and depression. That’s right – the Liver not only spreads Qi (energy) to your other organs like a distributor, but it is also in charge of the smooth flow of your emotions.

The emotions of anger and frustration are related to the Wood element, and many people don’t know how to release their emotions in a safe way. Suppressed emotions can cause serious health problems, and suppressed frustration and anger specifically injures the liver and gall bladder. Did you know that acupuncture works for emotional problems too?

 If you wear jade to balance your body qi, this is the time to wear your "spring green " color jades. This pattern is visually beautiful, fresh green balances the body, mind and spirit during May.The colors of this jade correspond to the organ qi, and balance you as look at it visually, and wear it. 

Monkey Cares for Peach Jadeite Pendant JHP91

 

Emerging Spring Jadeite Grade A Bangle Bracelet with Certificate #710