Ying Yu Jade
August 2007 Blog
I raised the prices on a few jade bangles over the past couple of days. And I've had several customers take advantage of "Bangle of the Month" program to get discounts on some of the jade bangles they've been looking at, to get them now at a discount and at the lower prices.August 30
One of my least favorites things to do when I had a "real job" was attending meetings. I have about a 20 minute attention span where I feel productive. Yesterday I wrote about neutral jade, and how it looks different depending on what you wear. A jade bangle gives you something subtle to play with during meetings, classes, etc, when you're bored and need something to do to keep you alert and help time pass. Wear your most interesting jade bangle, or all your jade so you can "check it out", and maybe a gold or silver bangle with your jade bangle. I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this, and would love to hear how you play with your jade when you need something to do! August 29
Natural white jadeite priced under $1000 is not a pure white because only bleaching will make a really white. Natural white has other hues, usually gray, light green, light lavender. This is a fun color to wear with your outfits because since it's not primarily green, it will pick up the colors in your clothes. One of my friends commented that she loves to wear the grey-white with navy, black, and even white. I like to wear this off-white with denim, and with green because then the subtle hues of green really show off. If you "play with your jade" during the day, you will have fun with white. August 28
My jade supplier
has been shopping for me this past week. He sent photos of some of the
jade bangles, and showed me prices. The prices are almost three times
higher than they were last year, and the selection is not as large. He
recommended that I change the prices of the Burmese jadeite bangle bracelets
on the Ying Yu Jade web site to reflect the higher costs of jadeite now,
and suggested that I shouldn't have any priced under $200. I like to have
a variety of qualities and prices for everyone's budget, so this is not
very good news for us. If you have been looking at a particular b
angle, you should probably get it now. I'll be making changes in prices
over the next couple of weeks. I may also have to discontinue "Bangle
of the Month" which gives a 20% discount for purchasing three jade
bangles. YYJ is not a discount web site, everything is fairly priced below
retail value, and I don't offer the 35-50% off "sales" because
the prices are not artificially raised. August 27, 2007
This is an excerpt
from one of those emails I love to receive:
"Hi Kathleen: I received the 2 bangles yesterday and I really
love them. I think they are beautiful (like all the bangles I have purchased
from you). You know the other day, I was in the train going home during
the rush hour (train is pretty crowded then) and this Asian lady was standing
a few feet from where I was sitting, and I just glanced her way as I see
her staring at one of the jadeite bangles I had purchased from you. She
exclaimed, "what a beautiful bangle!!!!" All eyes of course
when to my bangle and of course I was so caught off guard, but pleased
nonetheless(smile). She finally managed to get a seat next to me, and
told me she was from China.. and started telling me that my bangle was
very high quality and very hard to find -- "only in China",
she said; all the time not taking her eyes off my bangle. Just wanted
to tell you this story, for I know I have a special lady who I buy my
bangles from and no one else."
Thanks to CR in New York for the kind words. When you purchase your jade
from a woman who wears jade everyday (me!), you can be sure to get only
the best. August 24
A few days ago I wrote about a readers "jade ritual" and received several emails from other readers that they also "play" with their jade at bedtime. It's a safe time to wear the "good bangles", and many of us find jade relaxing and helpful to sleep and good dreams. One of my readers wrote that she puts her jade pillow cover on any part of her body that hurts, presently wrapping it around a sore knee, then when it's time to sleep she puts it back on her pillow. Don't we love our jade! August 23
Here's the most recent page added to Ying Yu Jade resources/information. The information is about what defines a crack in jade, what is part of the natural minerology of jade stone. Hope you enjoy reading it, and would love to hear your comments. August 22, 2007
I like to wear denim, and blue is a color that looks good on me, so when I wear blue or denim I also wear my jade bangles that have some gray or blue hues. One of the characteristics of very fine jade is described as "chalk blue hues". You can see some jade bangles with this wording in the description. I wore a jade bangle with imperial green veins today with a turquoise t-shirt and was really pleased with how the "chalk blue" in the lighter part of the bangle really made the entire jade look so good with it. It appeared less green than it did before I put it on. In fact, the imperial green is a true green, but the chalk in the rest of the bangle helped balance the color with my clothes. Some of the bangle descriptions state "you can wear this with anything", and what I mean is that the hues make the green look more neutral when you are wearing other colors. That's just another aspect of the beauty of high quality, natural jade. August 21, 1007
A reader submitted
this jade "ritual": "I read a little before bedtime,
use an essential oil for a little
fragrance.and put on a CD, frequently Chinese music. Then I choose a bangle
that I hadn't worn that day and put it on for that short time. I often
pick my favorite one that I don't wear out often. I am afraid of banging
it, especially shopping, so I save it for special occasions. Then it really
feels special." I also take out my favorite, expensive bangles
and wear them at night, to keep the qi strong in them. They really are
special. Thanks to PO in Florida for sharing. August 20, 2007
The dragon
with jade drop hair holders turned out really great, and I've been
wearing one.
These are a Ying Yu Jade exclusive, very limited as they are very vintage
and I was lucky to get them. August 19, 2007
Today I listed some new clearance jade bangle bracelets. These are all good quality jade that have small chips or scratches, or cracks not big enough to compromise the durability. I wear cracked bangles most of the time because I always wear a jade bangle and wear the cracked ones for every day. They hold up well, and I've never had a cracked one break. I've broken perfect jade bangles, but the cracked or nicked jade bangles just never seem to break. I think small cracks take the pressure off the roundedness of the bangle so if it strikes against something hard, the pressure is relieved and it is less likely to break than a "perfect" bangle. These are great every day bangles, or a first bangle if you're not sure about your size if you would enjoy wearing one, or for a younger girl who can't be responsible with a "good" bangle. August 17, 2007
A girlfriend stopped by today to find a good jade bangle to give to her daughter for a birthday gift. When she left, and I was putting everything back in its place, I stopped to admire the "Daily Special" summer "white" bangle that's listed for today and is actually a very pale color. It feels so cool, and has enough subtle hues in it to give it a lot of personality and good energy, Most all white jade bangles have been bleached to get hues, spots out, then color added to make them pure white. But this bangle BB722 was carved exclusively for me from a rough, and I had several carved so you can see similar ones in various sizes on the web site. Be careful when you buy white jade, because if it's really really white, it's probably bleached, and therefore brittle and fragile. August 15, 2007/
An email today asked if it was true that you could drink any kind of water from a jade cup, if jade would purify water. It's interesting that there are so many superstitions around jade. I'm reading Chronicles of Tao, Deng Ming-Dao, and there are many references to jade worn and used by Daoist masters and priests, for longevity and immortality. Jade has been used as part of Chinese medicine for centuries, and there is documented healing power of good jade. But I wouldn't trust purifying water in a jade cup. If you know any stories about jade, I'd love to hear them and will use them in the blog. August 14, 2007
I've been trying to find genuine natural lavender jadeite, a rough large enough to get some bangles carved. I've been looking for more than two years. I've been able to purchase a few lavender jadeite bangles, but they get bought almost as soon as I list them. I've had some samples, but they have either been not jadeite, or not natural color. The last time I had some carved was three years ago, and the carver didn't understand "variety of sizes", and knew I was a "foreigner" and made them all larger sizes, 64mm. They are a great price, as I priced to to sell, not sit around in my inventory. A jade bangle that is an even lavender color, or splotchy, is probably not natural color. August 13, 2007
Take $10 off your order $95
this weekend, use code BW10 on the order form when you check out.
August 11
These hot dog-days of summer
are a perfect time to wear your jade. If your jade is sitting in a jewelry
box or drawer, get it out and wear it. Jade loves the higher humidity
of summer. It absorbs the yang energy of the season to increase its healing
powers as well as its beauty. Jade balances your body while you wear it,
and looks marvelous, too. August 10, 2007
The box I keep the jade ben wa balls in is getting very light! I've been selling a lot of these, and receiving very favorable comments from women who have been using them. Some of the comments tell of dramatic positive changes, including not "leaking" any more when sneezing or laughing, increased lubrication and overall more enjoyment of sexual activity. The jade ben wa balls are pure and natural, made from the same jade as the healing tools for gua sha and rollers. They are solid and don't have any metal, and have been used by Asian women for centuries as part of their total wellness practice. And it's a joy for me to pack them, as they are beautiful and feel so good to touch. August 7.
I went to a trade show this weekend, and found some interesting new items for YYJ. Most of it was wholesale only, but there was a cash and carry section where I found some vintage dragon hair holders that were underneath a table and I noticed them when I was checking out. I'm checking with a friend to see if we can add a jade dangle to the stick that goes through it, to create a YYJ exclusive. Watch for them! And I bargained with a Chinese seller for some good quality magnetic 37" strands that can be worn as a necklace, bracelet, anklet or head band. I wear my genuine "chakra" pearl strand as a headband when I feel a migraine coming, and love it. You can see the new strands, click here. I purchased them thinking about how they look with jade, so some have pearls, and some have cloisonne beads. I saw a lot of other things I'd love to sell, but they're not jade. They're Asian related, like kimono robes, incense burners, feng shui. I'm considering making a "spa" collection, and would appreciate feedback! August 6, 2007
I received an enquiry about one of the jade bangles that is a personal bangle, and what makes it so valuable. The jadeite is old jadeite, and it has perfect translucence, and color, and these are some of the qualities that determine value. I also received an enquiry from a person who has had a jade statue in their family since the 1800's, and wanted to know how to determine the value. I suggested contacting a museum for an appraisal. An appraisal can give you a value for insurance, but doesn't necessarily determine the price you can get if you want to sell it. There is a Chinese saying "gold and diamonds have a price, but jade has no price", meaning there is no standard to determine value like carat and karat weight in diamonds and gold. Most people have items that are precious to them and they would never sell them. I have some jade like that, too, including the bangle I mentioned. I get offers on it, but it's as close to the "perfect jade bangle" as I've found for me, and although I rarely wear it, I just couldn't part with it. August 3, 2007
I can't believe it's August already. I'm trying to plan the trips I need to take this year, including visiting my elderly mother, China shopping, and a weekend related to my Calm Spirit website in California, and there doesn't seem to be time for everything. After October 1, it's very difficult to go anywhere because holiday sales start. I'm really considering NOT going to China this year. I love to go to China but the trip is long, at least 27 hours travel time, and I'm exhausted when I get there and have to start shopping right away to get it all done. My Chinese supplier does a good job of jade shopping for me, and he's putting a son through college so I will probably let him shop for me this year. He usually shows me photos of what he's sending me, but I trust him, and it's fun to be surprised. And since we only buy and sell natural jade and jadeite, there's not that much "new and different" jade and jadeite to be found in the market. In fact, we suspect anything that looks "different", or is a good green jade at a low price. You just can't buy a genuine jade bangle that has good green color unless you pay a premium price. I occasionally buy some "natural and genuine" green jade on ebay, but have yet to buy natural and genuine for under $100. I have to re-sell them at our neighborhood yard sales, because I won't sell them on my web site! Only natural and genuine jade at YYJ. August 2, 2007
The Calm
Spirit / Ying Yu Jade August newsletter is available online now, click
here. This month features Chinese medicine wellness information for
August 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. You can also take a look at the jade
bangle bracelet I'm wearing now, and reasons why.
August 1, 2007
contact:calmspirit@calmspirit.net
