Ying Yu Jade
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I love carved jade bangles. They are small carvings you can wear, and each one is symbolic, determined by the carvings. "Ruyi" means "everything". The last jade bangle bracelet daily special for May is a carved jadeite bangle, an older jade that's not available any more. Carved jade bangles are really one of a kind because the carver gets creative, and can never make two the same. You can wear carved jade bangles every day when they are good quality. May 30
I have a lot of respect for men who purchase a jade bangle bracelet for a women. If it's the first jade bangle purchase, getting the correct size is a real challenge. One man sneaked into his wife's jewelry box and found a gold bangle and measured the inside, not realizing it was a lot larger than a jade bangle should be. If it's a surprise gift, I suggest they make a joke of the measuring, explaining that they're having mittens custom made, so they can get an accurate measurement of the distance between the top of the first and fourth knuckles. But after the size is finally determined, then it's really easy for a man to order a beautiful jade bangle for a gift, and many of my men customers find it a very easy way to purchase a gift that will be cherished, and return to order for gift giving occasions. My husband plays tennis with men who don't like to shop, and sometimes he takes a few jade items to the tennis courts to sell to the guys who have a gift giving occasion coming up, but don't want to shop. A gift of jade is a beautiful, special gift, and always appreciated. May 28
A friend and I
were discussing our preference for the amount of jade in a bangle, the
thickness inside-to-outside. We both like a substantial bangle bracelet
for the heaviness of it. However, although I like a wider cuff with lots
of jade in it, this kind of bangle seems to hot and heavy for summer weather.I
prefer a more slender, less substantial bangle for the weight in hot weather,
and I also prefer the energy of the lighter colors. A cool, watery green
or "moss in snow", or white jade works better with my body qi
for cooling the hot "yang" of summer weather. The Tuesday Daily
Special is for the flat "modern" Chinese water jade bangles
in 53 and 60mm, which are perfect hot weather jade bangles. I put one
on when I chose them for a special, and it feels good to wear it. May
27
A comment from Deirdre: "I
find as the weather warms up I prefer to wear my rounded bangles, but
"weight" isn't really an issue. I find the flat-inside ones
get a little clingy (or "sticky") in warm weather - probably
because I must live in a constant coating of lotions and sunscreens because
of my treatment regimen - so round inside has less contact and feels better".
I still have a shopping bag full of things I bought in China in March, listed earrings that are really pretty and of course I kept a pair for myself. I've been getting requests for jade for protection, and listed some small Pixiu protection jade pendants, offering them at a preview price. You can find these on the Daily Special page. The Daily Special jade bangle is a classic jadeite lao pit, old mine jade with beautiful natural color. Camera batteries are low, and it's not as pretty as the "real thing", but I offered a very low price because if it doesn't sell Monday I'll have to retake the photo and I'd rather sell it and offer a fabulous price because it's very time consuming to take photos. So there are some good deals Monday, perhaps early Christmas shopping? May 24
A friend sent me an email about shopping in a Chinatown for a jade bangle, and being surprised that jade sellers are honestly telling customers that jade is enhanced color B quality, and offering nice qualities of jade for sale. She is experienced with jade, so is confident when she is jade shopping. Recently I've received emails that people have been learning more about jade so they can choose a good quality jade piece when they're shopping in Chinatowns or online, and feeling more confident that they're getting what they think they're getting. I noticed this trend at the jade markets in China and am happy to see it extends to Chinatown jade shops. An educated consumer can feel confident about choosing jade, and not worry that it needs to be tested because they can tell by looking if it doesn't seem natural. So learn about jade, and have fun shopping, then enjoy your purchases and wear them with much happiness. May 22
I really do wear my jade for balancing body, mind and spirit, and the spirit has not been balanced, too much yang energy. My jade bangle with dark coloring adds to the yang, so today I had to change to a calmer, more peaceful jade bangle. I had several carved from rough, and I also listed one as the Thursday Daily Special. Ineed some yang in the jade I wear to give me energy, so it has a little "hong" for the yang, but most of the jade is soft, icy, minty green, a unique hue of green, natural color. It feels "odd" after wearing the lao pit high energy wide cuff bangle, but wearing it overnight, and then doing my daily qi practices tomorrow morning will help it become more comfortable and allow the qi from the jade and my body to exchange. Warmer weather brings more yang energy, so if you are sensitive to the feng shui, qi, then you may feel the need for jade with more yin energy. May 21
We're back...again, and I hope we're home for the summer now. We had a good visit with our families in Ohio and Pennsylvania, the weather was ghastly, cold and rainy, and while we miss our families, we sure don't miss the weather! I didn't see anybody wearing jade, not in the airports, or the hotel, or any place we went, so I don't have any jade stories. The Akron Canton Airport is a very convenient small airport, easy to get in and out of with the car rental right outside the door from baggage claim. The TSA people have entirely too much time on their hands and are extremely invasive. But the airport has free wireless internet, so that cheered me us as I got caught up on emails and answered questions. Today on the TV news and newspapers were big articles about poor airline service. US Airways was at the bottom of the list, but I have to say we had excellent service using US Airways for our Hawaii flight. We fly AirTran to Ohio because generally we like the Akron Canton Airport, and there's two direct flights daily, but we had to change planes in Atlanta on our return trip, and if you've never been to the Atlanta airport, avoid it at all costs. Although we continued on Airtran, we had to go to another terminal and barely made it even with an hour and a half between flights. And the Atlanta crew to Orlando were rude, unprofessional, made fun of passengers behind their backs. A male flight attendant told me I couldn't hold my small purse on my lap during landing, and I was using it, getting ready to land and couldn't believe he made me put it on the floor. I ignored him the first time because I couldn't believe he was serious, until my husband jabbed me in the ribs to comply. I've never had anyone tell me I couldn't use my purse during landing. When we boarded the plane, the woman in front of me had a purse, a tote bag, and a magazine in her hand, and they told her that counted as three items and she could take only two, and then told her she couldn't put the magazine in her already-full tote bag, so a companion carried it on for her. This kind of attitude sure doesn't help the airlines, and if we don't speak up, and we act like cattle doing what we're told, it's not going to change, and I'm writing a letter to Airtran, even if they don't really care at least I'm saying something. So, I'm staying home for awhile, will immerse myself in my calming jade! I think the jade bangle I'm wearing is too yang for me with the darker colors having stronger energy, because my assertiveness level has become much higher in the last couple months. Maybe time to change to a softer, more pale green jade. Or maybe I do need to be more assertive, especially when traveling! May 20
Readers have asked
for updates on Myanmar (Burma) and the news is not good. It's been 11
days since many people lost everything, and although much foreign aid
has arrived, it's barely trickling to the people who desperately need
it because of government corruption. And in China, as I predicted there
are now reports about damage to dams, so people are having their disaster
now with promises of more disaster later. I was happy to learn this week
that the jadeite mines and miners are safe, and in fact in a position
to donate (under government orders) money to the relief effort. I was
looking through the lovely bangles I bought in March, thinking about all
this, and found a wonderfully high quality old mine lao pit jade bangle
with good energy for overcoming adversity and put it on the Daily Special.
Another update, we'll be out of town this weekend visiting family, so
if you need anything, please order by Friday evening. We won't have any
internet connectivity and won't be able to respond to emails. Orders placed
after Friday afternoon will be shipped when we return Tuesday morning.
May 15
The Florida brush fires have been bad, and the air quality is not very good, so I stayed indoors this afternoon and worked on our sister site, jadebanglebracelets.com Some of the photos didn't look as good as the YYJ photos, so I used the YYJ silk brocade background and replaced many of the photos. The Daily Special today is $25 off jade bangles $150+ on jadebanglebracelets.com, use coupon code JBB25 on the order form. If you haven't looked recently, take a look and see the gorgeous jade bangles on the web site, and get a discount on your purchase. May 14
Myanmar (Burma) people are still suffering not because countries haven't sent aid, but because their government is confiscating for themselves and giving the people poor quality, spoiled food and water. The government allowed the foreign aid, but not the foreign aid workers into Myanmar, and one reason is that they took all the foreign aid and marked it as coming from the government of Myanmar. The monks, who earlier this year protested the government, are now offering food, water and shelter to those who have lost everything. However, the government has been forbidding the monks to shelter people because they are concerned that if people gather, they might try to overthrow the regime. Our jadeite comes from the mines in Hpakant which is located in the northern tip of Myanman and has been safe from the disaster. In fact, the mines are owned by "foreigners" who have been required by the government to "donate" large sums of money to the relief effort. So our jadeite is safe, but is under political pressure. China is a friend of Myanmar, and is coping with the earthquake disaster, but it is hoped that the Chinese government will pressure the Myanmar goverment to distribute the foreign aid that has arrived, and do the right thing. China would gain much world support by doing this, but China doesn't have a very good record of doing the right thing by their own people. So we continue to pray, send positive energy, wear our jade to remind us to keep Myanmar people in our hearts. May 13
Today Chinese
people are suffering from a devasting earthquake, and since the government
never is transparent about disasters, what we hear is only the tip of
the iceberg regarding damage, death and destruction. We also pray for
the suffering of those who were devastated by tornadoes in the USA midwest,
and those who lost their homes in Florida. Jade is peaceful, it brings
us comfort, and when we wear our jade, it reminds us to send prayers to
all those in the world who suffer.
Many jade carvers live in the area of the earthquake in China, and some
of the Chinese jade from that part of China is very pretty, lots of natural
color. I'm wondering how much impact of the disasters in both China and
Myanmar (Burma) will affect our jade products. Jade may become more precious
and valuable if it's not going to be mined and carved because of the disasters.
May 12
A friend expresses
my sadness very well: "I'm praying so hard for the people of Myanmar
(Burma) in the aftermath of the Cyclone that, it is now estimated, may
have killed over 100,000. We owe our beautiful jade to their labor, and
now their government is impeding the arrival of international aid. They
have no electricity, no fresh water and no way to preserve what little
food they have safely. It is a horrible hardship in a land whose people
are already poor.Can you put out the word for all of your readers to pray
in whatever manner they choose for them; or send Reiki or other energy
to the people of Myanmar for their aid and comfort?
What color of jade would it be best to wear for strengthening our own
compassion and generosity, and for helping us send positive energy to
those people and to influence their leaders to do the right thing and
open their borders?"
If you are praying for the people of Myanmar (Burma), you can use your
Guan Yin, Buddha of Compassion and Mercy amulet for special energy. Also,
your jade that is white, gray, lavender, or pale green has energy for
healing and compassion and mercy. We do honor those who have made our
beautiful jadeite pieces possible, and hope for ease of their suffering.
May 12
Monday's Todays Special is a Burmese jadeite bangle bracelet that is described as "flower jade". Some jade really shows off the natural pattern of the jade stone, which looks like "flowering", and that's the meaning of the description. The older mine jadeite is known for have more flowering, so when I see this pattern I know it's a good quality and from the deepest area of the mines. Of course it's prettier than the photo shows, and will look different in a variety of lighting. May 11
The video about using a jade roller to reduce forehead wrinkles is done, and uploaded on youtube and added to the information page about "Frown Ease". We don't have any professional studio equipment to make videos, but I wanted it to look casual, as if you visited and asked about how these work. I use the "power pack", it has made a difference in my forehead wrinkle appearance, and as you know, I sell only what I would use or wear myself. Frown Ease Wrinke Reducer with Jade Rollert. May 10
This is jade
story #2, and the most fun thing I did in Honolulu. I met with one of
my e-friends who I had never met "in person", and we went shopping
in Chinatown. We looked in several jade stores, saw some very nice jade
pieces, and some not so nice jade also, but mostly the sellers had a good
selection of jade bangles, pendants and jewelry. We weren't looking for
carved jade bangles, but we found a seller who had a selection of smaller
oval carved jadeite bangles he had on sale. I'm guessing they were on
sale because they were natural "A" color, but as I've written
before, not all "A" jadeite is fabulously beautiful and these
had all the natural colors you would expect in jade before it gets bleached
and color enhanced, but that kind of coloring is not always popular with
customers, and most customers will buy the "pretty" even colors
not knowing that the color has been treated to look that way. Karen chose
one, and I liked three of them which I purchased for YYJ (they just happen
to be my size, so one has been on my wrist to "test-wear" it).
They were already discounted but he did give a little more discount and
we were happy with our purchases. Then we had lunch in a Vietnamese restaurant
and checked out our jade bangles again-I'm so lucky to have a patient
husband!
One of the small
oval carved wide cuff jadeite bangles is the Friday Daily Special. And
it's my favorite of the three I bought, so it will either go to a good
home, or on my wrist. Thanks, Karen, for taking us to Chinatown! May 8
We spent 9 days in Hawaii last week, a relaxing vacation, but lots to catch up on when I got back home. Hawaiian people love jade, so I was hoping I would return with jade stories to share. But I have only two, and this is the first one. There's an International Market near Honolulu, it reminds of shopping at all the stalls in China, after awhile everything looks the same. Lots of cheap jewelry and tacky souvenirs. And most of the stalls had "jade bangles". I could tell without even touching them they were fake jade, but of course I had to touch one. The seller immediately tried to sell it to me $12 or two for $20. She saw the jadeite bangle on my wrist and told me that mine was fake and cheap, but hers were real and good quality. They were swirly colors and felt like plastic. 95% of the "jade" was like that, fake, but the sellers adamant that it was real. The only genuine jade I saw was carved bangles, and they had big cracks, chips and scratches, except for one seller who had some nice jade, and priced what you would expect to pay for genuine carved jade bangles. You can't buy real jade for real cheap. Part of me wants to believe that these sellers really don't know they are selling fake jade. But the other part of me hates to see people get cheated. I used to take "trade ins" and got mostly fake jade from ebay or vendor stall sellers, so I couldn't continue the trade in program. Ying Yu Jade readers learn a lot about jade, so you can make informed decisions. May 7
I had a conversation today with an energy healer who purchased the jade ben wa balls to sell at a workshop she's presenting about women's health and how to use them. She searched on the internet for jade ben wa balls, and couldn't find any except on Ying Yu Jade. I designed these using urologic guidelines regarding size, it was a lot of work to find a carver who would make them the correct size, and smooth and highly polished. I went through three orders of unsatisfactory balls to finally get them right. This kind of sourcing is expensive and time consuming, but now I have a unique product to sell, which she recognized. She was surprised at the low price, and surprised at free shipping. The prices are actually preview prices with a special on free shipping that I've had in place for more than a year, and with USPS shipping increases, there will no longer be free shipping. And I'll raise the prices of the jade ben wa balls this week, so if you thought about getting a pair, today is a good day to purchase them. The woman who bought a supply to sell at her workshop also purchased the silk "fortune cookie" to include with each pair. The balls in the fortune cookie are so attractive, I enjoyed selecting them and packing them up for shipping. Very feminine, "yin". We both agreed that there is nothing like natural jade to use as material for a ben wa ball, certainly a great improvement over the standard cheap stainless steel balls on the market. If you have problems with urine leaking, vaginal dryness, and/or want a more enjoyable sex life, these will help you tremendously. May 6
May and Chinese Philosophy and Wellness
The foundation of Chinese philosophy is that human beings are a part of this universe in which we live, and the universe is forever changing. These changes affect our well-being as much as they affect the universe itself. The ancient Chinese discovered that the energies of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth constitute all matter in the universe. Everything contains these five kinds of Qi or energy of these elements. In Oriental medicine, we use the “Theory of the Five Elements” for both diagnosis and treatment principals, and the season of spring is associated with the Wood element.
The Wood element has to do with growing, living entities, such as trees, plants, and human bodies. The Wood element also governs the Liver and Gall Bladder. The Liver has to do with planning and decision-making, so you may feel a new sparkle and vitality in the spring. You may even be inspired to act upon new ideas.
The essence of spring and the Wood element is 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?
The beauty of Oriental medicine is that it perfectly integrates the mind-body-spirit connection. In fact, did you know there is no distinction between the mind and the body in the Chinese language? In Asian culture, they were always assumed to be connected.
The Calm
Spirit / Ying Yu Jade complete May newsletter is available online now,
click here. This month features Chinese medicine wellness information
for May regarding balance of body, mind and spirit. There is information
about what kind of jade to wear this month if you wear jade for your health,
and more.
May 4, 2008
contact:calmspirit@calmspirit.net
