Earlier this month I received an email and photos asking if I had an opinion of the bangle in the photos. The bangle is blue and carved with peony flowers so my first thought was that it's not jade because blue jade is so rare and you can't even find any now. The woman described the bangle as belonging to a family member and photos of the woman wearing it dated in the 1800's. She had shown it to several people trying to get an opinion, some people told her it was plastic, or glass, and someone offered her $30 for it. But when she described the bangle as feeling cool, and cooling quickly when it was not resting on her arm, my jade instincts turned on. I suggested she go to her jeweler, and get a refraction testing to identify it. If it is indeed blue jadeite, the value would be very very very high. Her jeweler is a GIA gemologist who tested it several ways and told her it was jadeite! He arranged for a Chinese woman who is knowledgeable about jade to meet with her, and she explained much about jade, and also agreed it is very rare. To think she might have sold it for $30! Fortunately, she treasured it as a family heirloom and didn't sell it. I haven't seen the certification, and she is also trying to get it appraised, which will be challenging. I would think Christie's would have the best appraisers. I told her the Chinese saying: "gold and diamonds have a price, but jade has no price", meaning that there is no set way to price jade because it's not based on carat and karat like diamonds and gold. The Chinese woman also told her that. If this is in fact genuine and natural blue jadeite, then I have to say "now I have seen everything". No jade could be more rare, even imperial green. Photos below. Keep in mind that jade is difficult to photograph and the real thing is always nicer than the photos.If I get more information about the appraisal, I will add it to this blog. But for now, I end the year with high hopes this is the "real thing" and such a thing as blue jade does exist. December 29

For the most part, I think customers have enough information on the YYJ web site to make an informed decision about purchasing genuine jade and getting the correct size. There's so much misinformation on the internet, so I keep committed to providing the best information to help customers choose their best jade piece. And returns/exchanges were at their lowest this year. I received quite a few emails from very happy customers and all wrote that the "real thing" is so much prettier than the photo. One of the major complaints I get when requesting exchange or refund is because some customers think jade should be "perfect". An example is a woman who returned a very good quality, natural jadeite bangle because she could see "something" on the surface, but I didn't understand until I received it. The "something" was the appearance of the jade stone, which you expect to see to know it's natural and real. She wrote that all her "other jade bangles " were perfectly smooth and shiny like plastic, and perfect". I would guess she either has a jade substitute which if man-made would be "perfect", or that plastic/resin was applied to the surface of her jadeite bangles to add color and beauty. Most jadeite bangles in the inexpensive price range is not very attractive in its natural color. Because of the rarity of getting jadeite these days, most of it is dull, grayish, spotty, and has very little natural green. So jade carvers (jade makers) bleach it out, and then add a layer of more colorful resin to the surfaces so it looks nice. And yes, they can claim it's "real jade", but it's also something else. If you love jade, love its naturalness if you want the real thing, but if you want "perfect", go for the resin. December 28

I wish all YYJ blog readers and customers a very happy holiday season. May your Christmas be a good day for you. I am spending the days around Christmas with family and will be back to business as usual on Friday. I am working on an end of the year story that has amazed me, and want to share with jade blog readers. And there will be an end of the year "make an offer" day on the JadeBangleBracelets web site, so look around and see what jade bangle you would like to bring in your new year 2014 and the Year of the Horse. December 23

I've been chatting with a woman who will work with me on "retiring" my jade business. She is genuine, honest and has been selling jade for awhile, mostly the jadeite bangle bracelets, tech savvy so she can manage web sites. She is Chinese but never been to China. She buys all her jade online from jade sellers, and I met her when she asked me about the Chinese gemology certificates. She has the same dilemma I do. We want to be honest about the kind of jade we are selling, and get our jade tested in China to make sure we are getting genuine and natural jade so we don't buy B, C or fakes. And like me, sometimes she is certain that jade she has that is certified as A, is not A. So then she doubts all of her jade. And like me, when she goes to a USA gemologist, even GIA gemologist, most don't know much about jade and jadeite. Also, like me, she get questions from customers who believe they have so much factual information to make their jade choice because they searched the internet for information, but don't realize that most of the information you find online is not true. That's why I like her, because she really wants to be an honest seller that customers can trust, and I understand what she is experiencing. She wants to make her first trip to China, to the Guangzhou jade market so she can buy what she is certain will be A, but as I have found out that when you go to the Chinese jade markets, they are also selling B and C as A grade. And have the government license to "prove" it. I told her that the only way I know for sure I am buying real and A grade jadeite is to go inland to the old jade carving cities where the jade carvers live and work, and see that they are carving from the jadeite stone that is as natural as it comes out of the ground, and then you know you are getting A grade. These jadeite bangles are not as "perfect" as the commercial jade market bangles because they are genuine and natural stone, have not been treated, not filled with resins to make them look "perfect". In fact, a potential customer wanted me to send him additional photos that are big so he can examine them to make sure they are "perfect". If it was "perfect" it wouldn't be genuine jade stone. What a dilemma! Especially for customers who want "perfect". The woman and I further agonized over all the very inexpensive "A grade jade" on ebay that get feedback from customers about how happy they are with their lovely jade. To us, who are familiar with jade, they don't even look like jade, but customers love them. How do we compete with those kind of sellers? Will women ever really know what genuine and natural jade and jadeite look like? Will they proudly wear their pink, purple and multicolored jade bangles, thinking they are real jade? She is getting discouraged like I have been about the trend, but we are working together to stay true to our character of jade selling. She's younger and getting started, so she has the potential to be a wonderful USA based jade seller. More next year as our things transpire. December 21

The holidays are "supposed" to be happy times, love and sharing with family and friends. The reality is that most of us who are adults actually experience more stress than pure joyousness over the holidays. In my own community, residents have posted on FaceBook about how they are grieving loss of family or friends, or having financial difficulty, worrying about family, and trying very hard to get Christmas spirit. I haven't baked the cookies I usually do, had the small gatherings I used to do, because I am feeling loss and grief, too, and then feel guilty because I am not "celebrating the holidays" like I "should" and feeling stressed about doing what I need to do to take care of me. I've blogged in the past about my fibromyalgia and pain, which is what led me to China in 1999, where I discovered the healing jades. The only luxury I allow myself is regular massage with a massage therapist who is very good with fibro. Before the massage, she has me choose the essential oil to put in the lotion, and I've learned how very helpful aromatherapy can be both physically and emotionally (and spiritually, too). Lavender is calming, bergamont seems to help pain and increase my seratonin, and as I whiff my way through the essential oils, it's amazing how I find just the right one I need for that day. Last week I listed the last remaining jade hollow carved spice holders, and one of them really appealed to me, so I kept it. I put a small cotton ball with geranium oil in it and hang it on the table next to my bed. The soft aroma relaxes me and helps me sleep. I can change the essential oil to give me the lift I need for the day. And enjoy the pretty green jade. There's a lot of good information about aromatherapy when you do an internet search. The next Daily Special will be a coupon for $50 off the price of one of the spice "bottle" collection. They are limited. When the Daily Special is over I intend to take some off and keep them in my "stash" of jade I just can't let go of! There are only a few, and not being made any more. The price may seem high, but there's a lot of work, and jade, in each one, and they are one of a kind, not available to purchase any more because jade carvers don't want to make them. So use the coupon "gift" and find some essential oil, and give yourself a treat. It's called "taking care of yourself". View the collection, click here. Use coupon code SPICE50 by December 18. December 16

Interesting article about the "World's Most Stunning Jewels". Look what the center stone is on the front of the article. Jadeite, of course.
Click the photo to read the article. December 15

To celebrate China's "Jade Rabbit" rover on the moon, the Daily Special is a beautifully detailed carved jadeite rabbit pendant. Half price! Very auspicious now that China has made their mark on the moon, which is almost a full moon, too! December 14

A comment was posted on one of YYJ YouTube videos about Chinese jade and Burmese jadeite about a jade buying experience they had in China. While on a tour 19 1999 they were taken to a "government jade factory" and purchased a jadeite bangle that cost $4000 USD with a certificate. After awhile the color started changing, and has changed so much it looks like rock. They contacted the factory, and were told it must have been a mistake, that possibly the clerk swapped out for a fake jade bangle. The writer cautioned that 98% of jade "out there" is fake. Possibly true. I hear this very often. If your tour guide in China takes you to a "jade factory", that's the worst place to buy jade. They are for foreign tourists, and the tour guide gets a percentage of what his group spends there. If you go to China and want to purchase jade, don't buy jade at shops geared towards tourist. Shop where Chinese people shop. And don't pay more than you are comfortable paying. Consider your purchase a "souvenir" rather than fine jade, because that's the way it is in China now. And I'm very sad about what jade business has come to. December 12

A long time customer who loves the healing qi energy of Chinese jade asked if we had more than the three hollow carved jade spice "bottles", aromatherapy, incense holders that were listed on the web site. I had not been able to get any of these in several years and was hoarding the ones ones I do have because they are so nice, I use them all the time and give as gifts. It takes a long time for the carver to make them hollow so scent can be put inside, and holes on the outside for the scent to come out. They are quite large and use a lot of jade. The jade carvers don't want to make these because of all the creative work that goes into them, and the amount of jade they use. The invoice was still in the box of my "stash" and I was shocked at the price, but not really surprised because of all the work that goes into them. They are more time intensive than bangles, pendants and other jade things, and require great skill and creativity because of the pattern of symbols, animals, birds. These were made by my jade carver who waited for an "auspicious day" to choose his jade and begin his work. And yes, the price may seem high, but look at what you are getting....and where else can you buy these other than here, to know they are pure and natural genuine jade, and the skills of the carvings. I always have one hanging in my office, in my bathroom. They are great to use for patients with Alzheimers because scent can have a very healing affect when nothing else seems to make any difference. Massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncture doctors, mental health workers all love to have these, and add aromatherapy as is helpful. There is a very limited quantity, usually just one of each. When they are gone, that's the end of them and might never be available, anywhere, again. Check them out, click here. December 8

We sold a lot of jade and jadeite bangle bracelets since our Thanksgiving specials last week, and customers have been receiving their orders. I have received some very nice emails from women very happy with their jade bangle purchase. Some have never had a jade bangle before. Some have had jade bangles, but not the good quality, natural color genuine jade we sell, and are amazed at what "the real things" looks like and feels like. With the Chinese using "jade bangle making machines", 3-D printers, and very clever techniques to make stone other than jade look like jade, and color treatments to look "good green" and translucent, I think there are women who will never know what a good, genuine natural jade bangle looks and feels like. I watched a video of an Asian women talking about health, and of course noticed her jade bangle right away, and could see by the way it looked in the video that it was color treated, probably washed in acid and resin added. She probably thinks it's genuine, natural A grade, but experienced jade people can easily see it is not. And she may never know how awesome the "real thing" is. The Daily Specials we started offering on the JBB web site are good quality jadeite, and they get a dramatically reduced Daily Special price. Yes, still hoping to retire the jade business, and want to get these sold. If you wear a small size, like 52-55mm, and need help choosing a jade bangle that is the best quality, contact us and we will give you some ideas. Sometimes the best jadeite bangles aren't the most beautiful on the web site, but look much nicer "in person", and then get prettier as you wear them. Often when I look at my jade bangle, I am amazed that it looks much more green than it usually is, because I am doing taiji or qigong or yoga, or very happy, and it reflects my body qi. It's better to have a jade bangle like this that's quite expensive than a drawer full of less expensive jade bangle bracelets, because jade does look better as you wear it. Of course, if you would like lots of jade bangles, consider buying this business! December 5

Some customers are jade bangle bracelet lovers. Some customers love the Chinese jade health tools. And some customers like the different kinds of jade jewelry, carvings, and jade and pearl jewelry. For your holiday shopping , I want to try something different to give customers more jade items to consider. There will be a Daily Special page on the JadeBangleBracelets web site to feature the jade bangles. The YYJ web site may feature a jade bangle bracelet, but more often will be something other than jade bangles. We will try to get a jade bangle on the JBB web site for Tuesday, and by Thursday hope to get one Daily Special on each web site. Something for almost every jade lover. December 2

Cyber Monday specials start NOW on JadeBangleBracelets web site. Coupons up to $100 and free shipping offers, visit JBB website.

Daily Special for Ying Yu Jade Cyper Monday Sale, click here.

The Calm Spirit / Ying Yu Jade complete 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. December 1

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