Ying Yu Jade
You can always see what's new, click here
It was a difficult decision to make, but due to the changes in the jadeite market, Ying Yu Jade will revise the "Bangle of the Month" offer to a 10% discount on three instead of the current 15%. Those of you who are already "in" will still receive the 15% discount, but new orders will be at 10%, which is still a "good deal" because it's a discount and you know what you will pay. Ying Yu Jade is NOT a discount web site with "sales" and discounts all the time, so a "deal" is a real deal. Today and tomorrow, April 30 and May 1 will the the final days for 15%, so if you have been looking at three jade bangles and thinking about getting a discount, now is certainly the time. Click here for "Bangle of the Month" details. April 30
I finally took the photos of the jade pillow covers and listed them on the web site. They were all different so it was very time consuming to get a photo of each one. Some of them are the same pattern, but the coloring is slightly different because they are made from natural jade and hand crafted. The jade pillow covers with the round beads are the most expensive because there is a lot of jade and a lot of handwork involved. Some of the flat ones are higher priced because the flat jade beads are small and very close together. The price is determined by the amount of jade and the amount of work put into them. THey are also heavy and expensive to ship from China. But they are wonderful to sleep on and help balance the body qi. Although they are attached to a decorative backing, I detached the jade part from the backing and place it directly on my regular pillow. I think it's more comfortable, although if you want it mostly for decor, the backing helps them stay in place when you place them on your pillows or pillow shams. But if you use it to sleep one,like I do, it's easier to clean by wiping with soapy water when it's detached from the backing. They are beautiful and healthy to sleep on, nicely handworked, and very unique. April 29
I've heard from several readers the last couple days who are at home ill, and "shopping" to pass the time. If you are sick, be sure to wear your most attractive jade, or a good green color. Jade has healing energy and will improve health. People who wear the same piece of jade all the time sometimes notice that when they are feeling good their jade glows, and when they are ill their jade looks dull, too. Jade qi and body qi exchange, so your jade will reflect your health. If you're not sure which jade piece is the best for you, wear the piece that appeals to you the most, because that one probably has the energy you need for what ails you. Better than pills! April 28
The 2009 China Travelog is completed, and you can read it all, click here. I like to wait a couple of weeks to write it, to give some perspective to the experience. And I enjoy working on it. When it's done, then the trip is really over! I hope you enjoy reading about our trip. April 26
Several readers have asked about how the different descriptions of "green" jade are used. It's difficult to explain. The term "imperial green" refers to the green-green that is the highest quality found in the old mine jadeite. It's the most precious and most expensive of the jade colors, and the better the translucency, the higher the price. I use the terms "spring" and "apple" green to describe a softer green color. When I use the term "imperial" I am referring to the quality of the old mine "lao pit" jade. This is the most cherished and valued green. When you wear a piece of jade with imperial green veins, although the color of the green doesn't change, the "brightness", the "glow" of the green changes because jade responds to body qi (energy), and the body and jade exchange qi. If you are sensitive to energy, you may notice that when you are not feeling well, your jade doesn't look as nice and vibrant because it's not reflecting healthy qi. I've seen descriptions of green jade called "imperial green", but the price of the jade and the appearance of the quality indicates it is not true imperial green jadeite. On the Ying Yu Jade and JadeBangleBracelets web sites, imperial green refers to the highest quality of natural green, and jade pieces with veins that color are truly precious. April 24
Chinese jade shipment is unpacked, not put away. There are some new river jade bangle bracelets, and since most of the ones on YYJ web site are sold, they are a priority to get listed. China shopping trip purchases still all over the house and getting listed and put away. Trip blog is coming along, another page added about shopping in Guangzhou. I can see only about 6 square inches of the top of my desk, the rest is piled with things that need to be photographed, listed, shown to customers who asked about something special, and airline schedules for traveling to Ohio and Pennsylvania to visit our families in June. It's actually too late to get non-stop flights, so I can throw those out. I am a terrible "boss", I rarely "pay" myself and give myself time off. I think having a business with products I love (jade) blurs the lines between work and pleasure! I'm sure many of you would love to have boxes of jade under your beds, in your closets! But sometimes it's a real mess! April 23
I've been writing about "new China", new Beijing in the travelog. BBC News has a slide show of photos from 19th century China, click here to see the photos. I see at least one Chinese lady wearing a jade bangle, how many do you see? And these are probably Chinese jade, not burmese, as jadeite was not widely used in China at that time. I really enjoyed unpacking my new shipment of Chinese jade. The jade hair pins are fabulous, can't wait to get them photographed to show you. April 21
New Chinese jade shipment from China video April 20
Click for China 2009 Travelog-more added April 19
The server my web hosting company has the "store" on has been having technical problems for a couple of days, so you can "look" but not order online. You can place a phone order 407 319 2533 or try again later. Makes me crazy, but that's part of doing business online. Sorry. April 17
I'm neglecting the blog to work on the travelog, I'm hoping to get a page or two done today, so check this spot for "show and tell"! April 16
The April 15 Daily Special is from jadebanglebracelets.com and is titled "Earth and Sky" for the color pattern. It's one of the most unique and spectacular jadeite bangles in the store. The carver so very cleverly carved it so one part is light like the sky, or heaven, and the other part is green like the earth, and the separation of color is just like nature. It's one of those that if it were my size, it would be on my wrist. The energy is fabulous, very balancing, very "dao". If you play tai chi, or bagua, you can appreciate the yin and yang balance of this jade color pattern. All natural "A" quality, of course. I priced it low so it will sell and I won't be tempted to pull it off the page and put it in my jade bangle drawer! The chime is really wonderful, polish is high, very smooth. The Daily Special is free shipping for USA customers when you pay with Paypal, or half price shipping for customers outside of USA, check the daily special page for details. If you can wear this size, and want something really special, this is your chance to get one of my favorite jade bangle bracelets. April 14
It wasn't a surprise to see the higher prices of jadeite in the wholesale market. The main mine where these come from in Myanmar is closed due to the poor world economy, and the Chinese jade carvers are hoarding their supply of rough. There is less competition in the market as many jade sellers have closed their shops and gone out of business because of the poor economy. As you know, the law of supply and demand determines prices. And the US dollar is down on the Chinese yuan, so you can't purchase as much for your dollar as last year. The best quality of jade is more scarce and more expensive, and the less expensive jade is often cracked, chipped or skimpy. The "B" quality color enhanced jadeite is often more expensive than the "A" quality natural color. Keep in mind "A" means natural color, not necessarily how it looks, and "B" refers to color enhanced, "C" is often acid washed and color treated and hardly even resembles jadeite. The color enhancing process is time consuming, but the colors are beautiful and less resistance to fading as their process has become more refined. I saw jade buyers from all over the world buying this lovely color enhanced B grade jades because the enhanced colors are often what most Western customers prefer as they are more colorful, more green and variety of colors. I explored many stores that sell jade retail to see what the popular prices were in China, and discovered that many of the prices were more than what I charge. The value of jade will continue to increase, especially if you purchase high quality jadeite. So this week I will adjust the prices on some of the jadeite inventory in the store to reflect the realities of the world wide jade retail prices. If you have had your eye on a special jade bangle, you might want to get it at the "old" price as it may be one that increases. I still have bangles that are at the really old prices, and sell for under $200! I do want to have jade in every price range, but with the supply of jadeite going down and prices going up, some prices definitely need revision. April 13
Jade bangle bracelets that come directly from the carver are often displayed in a "ring" tied with a cord. They bangles are carved from the same rough, carved in different sizes, and the buyer is expected to purchase the entire "ring" rather than choosing only the specific bangles desired
The buyer then takes the "ring"
apart and usually attaches each bangle with red thread to a red rice paper
and silk lined packet. Sellers are extremely reluctant to take the individual
bangles apart for buyers to inspect and choose, and the price per individual
jade bangle is significantly higher than if the entire ring is purchased.
So you can see from the photo why some jade bangles would sell for a higher
price than others, based on the color, size and width. They are all the
same "A" lao pit deep mine jadeite quality, but if you see one
you like better than the others, then you can be sure the cost will be
higher too. And that explains one of the ways price is determined. April
12
It's amazing to
be in Hong Kong one day eating fried green pumpkin with garlic for breakfast,
then the next day eating the standard yogurt with berries and bran flakes
in my kitchen. I kept moving all day long, because if I stop, I know I
would drop. I had to go get groceries this morning and didn't have any
clean underwear...so.... and when I checked out I realized I didn't have
American money! It took all day to do laundry. Our clothes were so filthy
I wanted to burn some of them, and in fact did leave some clothes that
were disgusting in China. I had to replace a windbreaker, but with the
cute "knock off" clothes I got a "designer" light
jacket much more stylish than my old windbreaker. And then got a cheap
fabulous "designer" handback to go with it. If I had more time,
I would have shopped for myself, and now regret that I didn't. I still
am not unpacked. My rolling carry on started falling apart in Guangzhou,
and by the time we were in Chicago the wheels were disintegrating with
every roll. TSA got wheel pieces stuck in their conveyer belt. A Samsonite
suitcase has a big rip and lots of frays on the outside pockets and a
handle loose. I wonder if these are signs that I should stop traveling?
I had my palm read and fortune told in Hong Kong, and he said I would
work 2-3 more years, so it looks like the luggage will have to be replaced
insteaf os just trashed!
I'm caught up with orders received while we were gone, thanks so much
for helping keep Ying Yu Jade in business.
None of the "goodies" has been unpacked, and the girlfriends
are waiting to come over and help unpack and see what I got.
Thanks for all the "welcome back" emails. When I discovered
that I wouldn't be able to upload videos I didn't take any (sorry, Deirdre)
because there's always so much going on instead of taking photos and videos,
I'm enjoying the moment! Or in some circumstances, just trying to deal
with the moment. So do keep checking back, and thanks for your interest.
April 11
We're back! We're jet lagged! We're happy to be home. We had a very good trip. However, this blog project did not go as planned, which was disappointing because I really wanted to show you some of the highlights of each day. When I get caught up this weekend, will share the journey! Today take $10 off your order of $95+ with coupon code HOME10. More later! April 10
April 6-We're having internet connectivity problems, see you when we get to Hong Kong
The days are getting confused! April 4 we flew from Beijing to Guangzhou, and the day started at 6 AM, arriving in Guangzhou late afternoon, so a day of travel. We didn't have internet access April 4, but were able to connect today, April 5. Shopping all day, of course, with the luckiest "find" being the crystal etched pendants I'd been trying to get a new supply for three years. We walked into a huge, huge indoor wholesale market that has thousands of shops, 9 floors, and the very first shop had the crystals and a great price, what luck!
Sunday is a day of rest, recreation, family time for Guangzhou people, Shamian Park was a favorite place for friends and family to "hang out" and enjoy the day and each other. It's one of my favorite parks in China, and we spent some time people watching and eating fried noodles at Lucy's Cafe, right in the middle of the park
Tomorrow is another very busy shopping day, a bus trip with the locals!
Day 2
A busy day, starting with tai chi in Temple of Heaven Park
Much shopping on Silk Street, but sorry, photos didn't
work out. Lots of nice items purchased
that you will see on YYJ web site soon! Tomorrow we fly to the south.
Youtube web site is still
blocked by the Chinese government...so no videos, either!
Photos from Day 1 in Beijing, only a tiny peek into our day!
Our first shopping trip was to the Hong Qiao pearl market where we had our designs of jade and pearl necklaces made up specially for Ying Yu Jade
Then we met with our Chinese friend for lunch and a visit to the Lama temple, a Tibetan Buddhist Temple
I bought a year's supply of tea at Beijing's oldest tea shop
Quanjude, the best of Peking duck, and well deserved dinner
Watch this space for news about our trip to China. We'll arrive in Beijing April 1. I'll try to show videos if China unblocks the Youtube web site, otherwise will show some photos. So check back later to see what we're doing in China!
The
Calm Spirit / Ying Yu Jade complete
April newsletter is available online now, click here. This month features
Chinese medicine wellness information for April 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.
