Ying Yu Jade
December 2007 Blog
"Wear Your Jade for World Peace Days" December 31 and January 1. Let's put some positive, peaceful energy into the world to end 2007 and start 2008. Click for details.
I wish you all a beautiful,
peaceful last day of 2007. Thank you for giving Ying Yu Jade a good year.
It's been fun, sometimes frustrating, but the jade business has been rewarding
for me. I've really enjoyed the internet friendships I've made, and am
fortunate to have made a business out of something I truly enjoy, the
wonderful jade. Wear your jade with much happiness today, and take care
when you celebrate tonight. My father died a year ago today, and today
while I mourn his death, I celebrate his life, too. Life is a series of
beginnings and endings, joy and pain, all yin and yang, the Dao of life.
December 31
Thanks for all the offers to bail me out of Chinese jail if I spend all my money on jade and the credit card companies determines to reject my hotel check out bill because of possible fraud! It's really a good idea to carry two credit cards when you travel. If you and your spouse or companion each have your own credit card,but it's the same card number, that's not going to be helpful. There's a lot to plan for and think about when you take a trip out of the country. I have a shirt that has pockets on the inside that's perfect for carrying my credit card and passport when I'm shopping on the streets. And Tom wears a money belt. I also like the cargo pants with pockets that zip to close for traveling and shopping. However, the several times when something was stolen from me was going through the TSA inspection. One time a TSA employee lifted my new digital camera which I checked for after I went through the inspection, and had to ask a supervisor to check all around the inspection area, where it was found. We both check all our valuables immediately after inspection now. Tom usually goes through first and watches everything at the exit end, and I watch what's going through. We do this for domestic travel, too. And although they tell you to empty your pockets, we keep our cash and credit cards in our pockets, and I don't remove my jewelry. I haven't had a problem keeping cash in my pockets, and if I have any problem, I stand firm and ask for a supervisor. A friend told me that she witnessed a woman who had her cash mysteriously disappear after TSA inspection and they told her if she didn't move on, they would call the police. I think I would dial 911 right on the spot if I thought a TSA employee stole something of mine. This is supposed to keep us safe, not make us victims. The most stressful part of a China trip shouldn't be the TSA inspection and worry about luggage getting vandalized. At the Beijing airport, you can see each employee getting checked twice before they are allowed on the plane. But that doesn't happen in the USA. So we are more safe now? December 29
I'm trying to decide when I should go shopping in China. I have heard that prices are really getting high on everything from food, hotels, and merchandise in anticipation of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in August. I'm considering the end of March, because the weather in the south is still not too hot and humid and before the rainy season, and there are a some big Canton trade fairs in April which triples the hotel prices during that time. So maybe March would be a good time for shopping. But too cold for us Floridians to go to Beijing, I think. April is nice in Beijing, although I think that's when they get terrible dust storms. I really love Beijing, and have very good friends who live in Beijing and Tianjin. There's always a lot to consider when planning the shopping trip. And I got a reminder about credit cards today. I finally decided on a refrigerator that I need before my present one dies a noisy death, and I used my charge card to pay for it, however the transaction was denied, so I called the number on the card and was told that since the purchase was more than $1000 they put a security hold on it and called my home phone number for me to verify the purchase (like that does a lot of good when you're not home!). When I called to find out why this happened, it occured to me what if I were checking out of a hotel in China and using my credit card and it was denied for "security concerns". And if I had spent all the cash on jade, would I wind up in Chinese prison for inability to pay? A nice, clean hotel with English speaking staff is often $150 per day, plus meals, plus hotel car charges, business center services, can easily be over $1000 when I check out. The Capital One credit card company told me they probably would have denied that charge, and told me I need to call them to let them know when I will have charges out of the country or other large charges because I have a high business credit limit. I I have a long list of things I need to remember to do when going to China. I know you jade lovers think it would be heaven to shop for all that jade, but a lot of planning goes into getting there, and being there. I enjoy the challenge. And I always forget to do or bring something important! December 27
Best wishes and many blessings to all my readers for a very happy holiday season. I wish you all days of peace and happiness. December 24
The "Christmas rush" is over, and I finally have all my Christmas cards and gifts mailed...today. Yes, late. I used all my boxes and packing materials and (no surprise) the postal service didn't deliver the boxes I ordered on time, so I saved my personal packing until after I got customer orders packed and shipped. Are you a busy person who does things for others first, then takes care of your needs last? Then we need to treat ourselves! The last couple years the around Christmas eve I've had orders from woman for some of the nicest jade bangles, using their "Christmas money" for something they really want. So this weekend I'll start a jade bangle sale with up to $150 off jade bangle bracelets. And offer free shipping for three or more jade bangles if you purchase all at once instead of Bangle of the Month one each month. The sale will be on both web sites, Ying Yu Jade and Jade Bangle Bracelets. There's also a special reduced price for jade gua sha practitioners set. So if you are ready to buy your special jade, the sale will be listed by Sunday evening. December 22
I listed some new bangles in the Clearance Jade section today. There's nothing wrong with them, no damage, cracks, etc. as are most of the clearance jade are pieces that have been damaged or not perfect. The prices range between $75-85. These are samples that I bought from a jade carver, and he assumed I would want to buy many from him, so he sent quite a few samples of his work. It was a surprise to have to pay the UPS driver COD, but I'm used to surprises from China. Anyway, these are what's called "commercial quality", made for export. I buy traditional classic jade which is a better quality. Commercial jade is lower in price because it's expected that the buyer will purchase at least 100 pieces, and they expect 500-1000 pieces will be purchased. And it's just not as over-all nice as what I buy. I like to sell only what I would wear myself, so this is on clearance to try to get back my cost, which is always more when it's delivered COD! December 19
My personal email box is packed every day with "sales" from catalogs and companies I have ordered with in the past, and they are time consuming and annoying. That's why I didn't send out a "sale" email this week. I've had a couple customers ask my what the discount is the week, and this week there are sale prices but my "gift" to customers is not filling your email box with more mail! The grab bags have been fun for me to send. If the customer is recent and I remember what they like, I try to send something similar or coordinating with what they have ordered. The grab bag value has been at least $15. Several people have told me what's on their "wish list" for spending their Christmas money. It starts on Christmas eve-women ordering some of the nicest jade bangles to get what they really want for a gift, and spending their holiday gift money. Last year I sold more bangles right after Christmas than I sold the entire month of December before Christmas. I have a "forbidden love affair" with my merchandise and have to control myself not to hoard the best of the bangles for myself. Every time I get a shipment, I take the ones I like the best and set them aside for myself, even if they're not my size. You may have seen some of the nicests jade bangles listed this month, so I can justify choosing one from my inventory for myself for Christmas. I started wearing a pale carved jadeite bangle this week, festive and good energy. December 18
A friend wrote with her comments about Survivor, China. She mentioned that at the Reunion, no one was wearing their jade pendants anymore. I noticed that, also. I thought Peih-Gee would wear hers because she was proud of her Chinese culture. The pendants were made like necklaces on cords, similar to the jade pendants on this page, and I'm sure the cord got quite gross after being worn all the time in the harsh, hot and wet weather they lived in for the show. I hope they keep their jade because it will remind them of a special time, and be lucky for them. If you have a jade pendant on a knotted cord, you can usually wash it. I have accidently had them go through the washer cycle, in a pocket, and if they are protected and don't get chipped, they can be washed this way. Or you can have your pendant made into a unique necklace, or have your jeweler attach a gold bail. December 17
The new jade shipment will be delivered after Christmas, seems like a long time to wait. But at least they will be here before Chinese New Year! And I like to feature new items for Chinese New Year, as it is lucky, auspicious to have new jade to sell before this holiday. It's actually an entire week holiday in China, which starts a week or two before and can extend a week or two later as many people travel to their family home to celebrate and stay awhile to visit with family and friends. So instead of being disappointed I didn't get the jade before Christmas, I'm happy that I have something new for Chinese New Year. I sold a lot of jade bangles the last few weeks, and received emails from some unhappy people who waited too long to buy one they had been looking at, that someone else bought it. I had the same thing happen, had some things in a shopping cart on a web site and kept looking at them every day, and then one day they were sold out. Also it's getting late for shipping in time for Christmas so I have to go shopping this week. Not everyone on my list appreciates jade! December 16
I'm trying to get one more jade shipment this year. I hoped to get it last month for holiday sales, but due to language problems there was a misunderstanding, that I wanted them for Christmas, not just before Christmas. It's quite a challenge to order. I received photos today of the new jadeite bangles from the carver, very translucent and good green, mostly in smaller "Chinese sizes", and some really beautifully detailed carved jade tea sets, the pots carved like animals, birds. And a lot of jade gua sha tools, I had four boxes of them before Thanksgiving, and now have a few in one box. Gua sha has become very popular, and I get the gua sha tools carved thicker and with nicer quality of jade because I know the practitioners appreciate better quality. It's a real challenge to order via IM with my supplier, but he is a good shopper and over the years has learned what I like. It's very exciting to see what actually comes in the boxes. December 12
I sold three jade bangles to a customer who took advantage of Bangle of the Month 20% discount, and purchased all three at once to save separate shipping charges. This is a great way to get some beautiful bangles and a discount. He wrote that he and his wife had just returned from a trip to China, but wanted to buy genuine jadeite at reasonable prices. I also received an email from a friend who told me one of her co-workers bought a beautiful jade bangle in China at a government store, and was told it was natural color, but it was already starting to lose color. If you buy a jade bangle in China, and it turns out to be a fake jade, or color treated, you can still wear it with happiness, because it was a special purchase on a special trip. It's so difficult for tourists to buy good jade in China. Their tour guide takes them to government stores where they get a kickback, the stores are often called "jade factories" and feature "carvers" making jade. And of course they tell you all the jade is genuine and natural. I deal with this all the time when I am in China, because of course I can't resist looking in all the jade shops I come across. And there are jade shops "factories" for American and North American tourists, and jade shops for Asian tourists. Which shops do you think are way overpriced, with commercial quality larger sized jade bangles? The clerks show you under special lights that the jade is "real" and no color added, it's a very good show. If you plan to buy a jade bangle in China, go to a jade store where you see Chinese people shopping, couples choosing a jade bangle together, Chinese people browsing and bargaining. Learn a few Chinese words, like "too big", "too small", "too expensive", and "thank you". If you wear a larger sized bangle, larger than 61mm, it's difficult to find genuine jade in China, because it's not "Chinese size". I have to really search to find the larger size genuine natural jade bangles to buy in China, and the price is quite high. I spend most of my shopping time "bargaining" for the larger size jade bangles I purchase. The larger bangles over 60mm have a very small mark up on my web site, but I still offer the Bangle of the Month discount for these sizes, because otherwise they'd be quite expensive, and in China sell for more than I sell them for. If you returned from a China trip without a jade bangle, I'm always happy to help you choose a perfect jade bangle you can wear with much happiness! December 11
Someone asked me why the jade
bangle that's the Daily Special today
is on sale for only $100. I chose this one because the photo is not very
good quality, and if it doesn't sell today I will take another photo.
It takes about an hour to get a good quality and accurate photo. So, if
you know Ying Yu Jade quality, you will also know that the "real
thing" is always nicer than the photo, and get a good deal, and I
won't have to take a better photo. December 10
There were several feedback comments about "new jade" and Chinese
jade. Some of the feedbacks included information found on the internet,
some accurate and some not. Just because it's on the Internet doesn't
make information true, especial medical information. Regarding Chinese
jade, it's not serpentine and several feedbacks commented. It's actually
bowenite. Some of the southern Chinese jade is serpentine. I have some
pieces of serpentine in my collection, and they are really different from
the Xiuyan Chinese jade. To jade lovers, the topic is endlessly interesting!
I uploaded the YYJ Specials pages for next week this evening. This week
will feature a Daily Special jade bangle from the inventory marked down
to $100-what a deal! One each day, so check it out, maybe the jade bangle
you've been looking at will be only $100. On the Jade Bangle Bracelets
(jadebanglebracelets.com) web
site, free shipping on bangles $250+, write "free shipping"
in the comments box and shipping will be refunded when you bangle ships.
There are also some watches that look great with jade bangles that I purchased
at a trade show this weekend, and jade "pi" pendants on pretty
ribbon necklaces, all specially priced. Check out the Daily
and Weekly Specials
December 9
I received a question about "new jade" this week. There is really no standard for what "new jade" is. In the jade market, "new jade" is Chinese jade that has been ground to powder, then formed into bangles and pendants, and carvings. Sometimes people refer to Chinese jade as "new jade", but Chinese jade is not new, it's been used in China for centuries. The soft, pale green Chinese jade mined in the east north area of China is the newest mine, and has been operating since the 1940's, so it's not "new". I also have seen Chinese jade inaccurately referred to as "new jade" and I think the reason is this: The area where it's mined Xiuyan, and since foreigners can't pronounce "Xiuyan", they call it "Xiu" which rhymes with "new". So if you see "new jade", you really need to ask what it is. Chances are the seller won't know unless they actually have knowledge of the jade business in China. If it is clear, with no inclusions, it's probably the re-formed jade powder. If it has inclusions,it's probably natural Chinese jade. If they say it's nephrite, they probably don't know what it is, because nephrite has been mined out, and very rare or purchased from Australia, Canada or US northeast, or some other country. It's a mystery to me how jade sellers who buy commercial jade know what they are actually selling, and I'm sure it's a mystery to you, also. Even many Chinese jade sellers don't know what kind of jade they sell, as I have discovered when I try to purchase from them. Anyway, this is a good questions, and thanks for asking! December 8
I usually wear a "high energy" jadeite bangle, but this week felt the need for jade that gives me energy for calming my spirit. I chose one of the first jade bangles I purchased, a Chinese "water jade", very soft green, translucent color that is calming to the spirit. This is the kind of jade that the rollers, gua sha tools and jade pillows are made of. The energy is very good, very healing. When I'm shopping in the local Chinese shopping areas, especially in Beijing, I often see young couples choosing one of these kinds of bangles. They are very traditional, and I think very beautiful. And I sell a lot of them. December 6
One of my customers is looking for a "glass" jadeite bangle and I've searched my inventory to see if I have one in her size, but I don't. True natural "glass" jade is rare and difficult to find. It's the type of jade bangle I need to purchase myself and have my friend in China test, because you have to be really careful that it hasn't been bleached to achieve the glassy appearance. Bleaching makes jade more brittle, but is a common enhancement to remove spots and inclusions, then often resin is used to add color and give it some strength. I got an email several months ago from someone who told me she bought one on ebay and when she opened the box, the first thing she was aware of was the polymer odor. But it sure was pretty. It's also difficult to find in sizes larger than 57mm because of the rareness and value of the jadeite, and in larger bangles where more jade is needed, it can be really expensive. But, it's a challenge to always look for it. I wrote in one of my travelogs about a glass jade bangle I saw in my size at the retail part of the jade market, $6000. I didn't get it, and regret it now . December 4
The craft fair Saturday was fun, and I sold most of the jewelry I made. Most of it had jade beads or pendants, and were very popular. The big chunky ones sold out right away. The Ming pottery shard necklaces were also popular, the one that didn't sell was one I planned to wear to "display", then I forgot to wear it and it was still in the box at the end of the show. So it's the December 4 Daily Special. It's one of the most pretty, I subconsciously wanted to keep it! On the Jade Bangle Bracelets web site, there's a $100 gift certificate on sale for $95. The gift certificate is electronic coupon code good for 90 days after purchase. I saw a restaurant giving $5 bonus cards with purchase of gift cards and thought it was a good idea. December 3
Can't get enough jade bangles?
Check out our sister web site www.jadebanglebracelets.com
The photos aren't as good as the photos on Ying Yu Jade because we were
looking for a distinctive background fabric and experimented. But the
jade is much prettier than the photo shows and there are discounts as
we are still "new". So check it out, and get a great deal on
a beautiful jade bangle bracelet. December 2
Chinese Wellness for 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. If you get a cold or the flu, try Yinchiao for cold and flu and Watermelon Frost for sore throat. Both are natural Chinese remedies.
Dr. Charles Li, who lives and practices in Beijing China, recommends drinking Bojenmi slimming tea and Jaiogulan cholesterol reducing tea during times when you know you might be eating more than usual. These teas natural reduce body fat. These and more available on the Calm Spirit web site.
This 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.
The Calm
Spirit / Ying Yu Jade December newsletter is available online now, click
here. This month features Chinese medicine wellness information for
December 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.
December 1, 2007
contact:calmspirit@calmspirit.net
