I stopped using PayPal when I shop, and now use only credit cards. Part of the reason was poor customer service from Paypal if I had a problem with a company I paid, but the big reason is I kkeep getting notices from Paypal about attempts to hack the account. When your PayPal account is the same as your email, it's easier to "hack", and then hackers get not only into your account, but they also get your personal and banking information, AND your credit card information. As a merchant, I have had more problems getting paid with PayPal than I do with credit cards. I have notified current customers that we will stop accepting Paypal at the end of the month. As a business, if a customer fraudulently uses Paypal to make a payment, my account gets held, and I am expected to provide information to Paypal which is time consuming. Also as a seller who cares about my customers, I would feel terrible if your Paypal account was compromised and you had financial losses and headaches due to a payment you made to YYJ that was compromised. When you see the "https", the "s" at then end of the http, you know your credit card payment will be safe because it is on a secure server, and on Ying Yu Jade and JadeBangleBraceletes we never receive your entire credit card number: we don't want to be responsible for storing credit card information, so we don't receive it. We get a four-digit code from our credit card company to let us know how safe it is to accept the paymen. So if you want to make your final purchase using Paypal, today is the final day. July 29

I found some old, vintage style wonderful high quality jadeite carved bangles the other day, buried in my "stash" of bangles I can't bear to sell and think I might keep for myself. These are all really small oval shaped with carving on one side and smooth on the other side. The wide area is my size 52-53mmj but the small side is 46mm. To figure out how an oval bangle will fit you, add the dimensions of both sides and divide by 2, and that should be the size of a round bangle. So if it's 52mm on the long measurement and 48mm the short, total is 100 divided by 2=50mm. But, depending on the construction of your hand, that might not be exact because the hard jade still has to go over the bones of your hand. I used a plastic bag and took off my very small bangle (ouch) then tried on 8 (ouchx16, including on and off!). If you have a small wrist 48-50mm and might like one, send me an email. The price will be at least $1000 but the quality and carving are worth every penny. I'll try to get some on the web site soon. The sound of them clinking together was like music, a very calming, soul-touching and spiritual sound made only by fine-grain lao pit jadeite. Fun day and worth the pain! July 26

Customers often ask what kind of jade is best for them to wear. As an energy worker, including Reiki Master and qi healer, I have noticed that most people are attracted to the jade that has the best energy for them. If you keep coming back to look at a certain jade pendant or bangle and "don't know why" it has so much appeal to you, it's because your subconscious intuitive part of your being is recognizing that the color, the quality, the shape or some other aspect of the jade piece has the energy needed to balance your body, mind and spirit. So trust yourself. If a jade piece appeals to you, it's not only for the beauty, but also for the energy body balance. July 24

Some comments about removing a small jade bangle included both sides of the issue, from women who wear the same jade bangle all the time, to women who have a fabulous collection of jade bangles and change them to go with their outfits. If you wear your jade bangle all the time, as you age it might become more difficult to remove. I've sold precious jade bangles to women who were heartbroken they had to have a jade bangle they wore since adolescence cut off for surgery or medical treaments. And some of us get arthritis in our wrists and fingers that make getting our "usual size" of jade bangle impossible to get on and off. I like my jade bangle as small as possible so it looks "permanent" and I do change my bangle every few months as my energy needs change, but when one comes off, another goes on right away. The only time I don't have a jade bangle on is when I get a massage. I really miss it when it's off, but take in the energy the massage therapist gives me. Then when I get home it goes back on. There are 3 jade bangles I sort of rotate, a lighter one for hot weather, and more "yang" for colder weather, and a white one with imperial green "butterfly tracks" when I need a little more yang with my yin in hot weather. However, I have a draw full of....I am embarrassed to write how many I have in my personal collection...that I don't even wear, but love! July 22

A sister jade-lover was watching the Style network and saw Kimora looking elegant wearing a jade bangle bracelet. Jade is certainly special, and so elegant. Here's the link to the photo and video
kls.com/sharing-my-favorite-style-tips-06-2011 July 20

Several readers have written that with this heat wave, they are distressed because their hands are swollen and they can't get their jade bangles on and off. And if you have arthritis, some days are more difficult than others for putting on and removing your jade bangle bracelet. To make it easier, get one of those thin plastic produce bags and slip it over your hand. Then your jade bangle will be easier to get on and off. I can get on a jade bangle 2mm smaller with the plastic bag than I can without it. Click here for a video July 19

Jade is mined deep in the earth and likes cool dampness. But we are having a really hot summer this year, and if you wear your jade all the time, you will be wearing outside when it's hot. Keep it out of direct sunlight. If you are going to be in the sun, cover it with a shirt sleeve or take it off. I am in the pool for water exercise and visiting with friends for at least 30 minutes every day, and wrap my "noodle" over it, and keep it in the water. My jadeite bangle is a calm and peaceful soft green veins on white color pattern. When I'm outdoors and it's hot, in the 90's or higher, it glows more green. Heat is a color enhancer and will change the color of jade. It will also make it brittle, So take care of your jade during this hot weather. And wear cool colors of white, soft green for the balancing "yin" energy your body needs in hot weather. July 17

I find it surprising that I get orders for the jadeite bangle bracelets from customers in mainland China. They tell me that YYJ prices are less than for a similar jade bangle in their own country. I have often blogged that I keep in touch with retail prices in China and make sure our prices are lower. And I often get requests from potential customers in mainland China for the higher grade of jadeite, perhaps something "nicer" that I don't have on the web site. But, we don't accept credit card payments or ship to China. I can track to see the parcel arrived to China, cleared customers, but half the time the parcel never arrives to the customer. So I'm sorry to say that we will not ship to China. July 12

We've had family visiting this week and have focused on them rather than blogging, sorry about that. Tomorrow is their last day here, then catch up on Tuesday, and hopefully Wednesday will have business back to normal. I've kept up with the shipping, but haven't added new products or information, or blogged much. But, we did offer some great free shipping products last week, and will offer free shipping or coupons as our Daily Specials until we get caught up. Hope you are enjoying your summer, too. July 9

I often get photos of jade with a request for an evaluation. It's very interesting some of the pieces I see photos of. Sometimes people want to know if their jade is "real" and if they got a good value, others want to know a value for resale, insurance, or just to know. There's a Chinese saying "diamonds and gold have a price, but jade has no price". There is a standard for the karat weight of gold, and the carats of diamonds, but there is not standard for jade. While natural and unique or good green color is more valuable than "commercial grade" and color treated jade, there's no set way to fix a price. When you shop in the wholesale jade markets, there are no prices on any of the jade, and it is all bargained for. But what it comes down to is the price that the seller is willing to sell it, and the price the buyer is willing to purchase it. If you have a jade piece you bought in China, or online, or in a Chinatown, and you love it and are happy with it, then it is worth what you paid for it. I've sold some of the highest quality of jadeite to some customers who are not happy with the color or the way it looks, so to them it has no value. But they may be thrilled with a B or C quality of jadeite that has good color enhancement and translucency from bleaching with acids, and been told it's all natural. The price of jade is truly what the buyer and seller agree on. And then, traditionally in China, the sale is final. July 6

A customer and friend purchased a Chinese jade bangle recently, one of the rounded styles. I was surprised because she has a fine collection of jadeite bangles, and didn't know she was interested in the Chinese jade. She has purchased a jade gua sha tool to use for chronic lower back pain, and was amazed that rubbing the pure, natural healing jade over her back took the pain away. She would take it with her, carrying it in her handbag. Then she got the idea of she had a jade bangle on, she could rub the bangle across her back and get the same healing relief. I also have lower back pain, and sometimes it's difficult to bend over, do some of my tai chi and yoga, and used a gua sha tool for awhile until I could bend more easily. So I've been doing the same thing she does: rub that jade where it hurts. And it works for me, for her, and for some of my friends who have aches and pains. Jade has been used for healing for centuries, so why not get your healing from a pretty jade bangle. July 4

The July 4 weekend coupon sale continues through July 4. Have fun shopping and get something your really want. Or start your holiday shopping in July, get a bargain, tuck your discounted gift away until you need it. July 2

The Calm Spirit / Ying Yu Jade complete July newsletter is available online now, click here. This month features Chinese medicine wellness information for June 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. Check the Daily Special for coupons to use today! July 1

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