Ying Yu Jade
November 2007 Blog
On the last day of the month, I polish my jade bangle with spray wax and think about if I'm going to change bangles the first day of the next month. I really feel comfortable with the bangle I've been wearing, but am considering changing to a carved bangle because December is a festive month, and a dragon would be fun to wear, and a protector. I'd like to hear what your favorite December bangles are. November 29
A customer asked why the free shipping "early special" was for internet orders only. Our business phone number is a mobile phone, and when I need to be away from "the business", I "reward" internet orders. Today was yoga class, then shopping for baking supplies for Christmas cookie exchange, then making up some jewelry for craft show Saturday. If you have "one of those days" where you're extremely busy and stressed out, take a few minutes out to take a few deep breaths, and play with your jade. A man customer ordered a pair of jade ben wa balls for himself, to play with in his hands because his acupuncture doctor recommended contact with jade for his stress. He also ordered the "singing magnets" to play with, because his acupuncture doctor also told him to have some daily contact with magnets for his arthritis. It's difficult to be stressed out when you're playing with something. And jade and magnets are healthy toys. November 27
I went to my favorite Chinese medicine store to stock up on Bojenmi and Jiaogulan fat reducing and cholesterol reducing teas, some White Flower liniment, and a few other things for Calm Spirit web site. I had two baskets filled with the teas, and when I was checking out, two Chinese women behind me asked if I was making gift baskets for my friends with all the teas. They decided that was a good idea and got the same teas so they could make gift baskets for their friends and family. They talked about how helpful the Bojenmi tea is for them for keeping weight off, and how the Jiaogulan tea lowers the internal fat (cholesterol). And of course they touched and admired my jade bangle. The owner was happy that I encouraged them to by all the tea, and gave me a discount, and some extra goodies. I added these teas to the YYJ web site so you can easily add a box of tea if you want to try it, instead of going to the Calm Spirit web site for an additional transaction. November 26
I hope you had a very happy
Thanksgiving. I roasted a turkey, made stuffing, gravy and potatoes, and
the two couples we share dinner with brought their favorite foods. I am
stuffed from eating all weekend and ate so much that I probably need a
larger bangle size! Actually, gaining weight is often a reason for needing
a larger jade bangle, and if you get arthritis in your hands as you age,
you might need a larger size to get over your knuckles. The pain endured
when younger might not be acceptable as we age. Some women need to get
a smaller bangle size when they get older because of bone loss to osteoporosis.
I have a variety of jade bangle sizes from 50-55mm, and some days I need
the smallest size, but after eating all weekend, if I took my bangle off,
I would need one of the larger sizes because of fluid retention.All the
goodies are gone now, so a couple of days of drinking water, walking (while
shopping!), and eating veggies will get me ready for the Christmas cookie
exchange next week!
"We give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way"
(Anonymous author)
November 25
Today one of my customers ordered
two jadeite bangle bracelets, and she told me she thought she should get
them now because after Thanksgiving they might be gone. And about two
hours after she ordered and I removed the bangles from the web site, another
person asked if one was "really sold" because she'd been looking
at it for a long time, and disappointed it sold. The bangle was a very
unique natural color mossy green, unusual coloring. Saturday I went to
an art festival and fell in love with earrings that were about three times
more than I wanted to pay for them, but they were one-of-a-kind hand crafted
with all the elements that I love, and as I walked away from them, my
mind played the mantra I tell everyone: "get it or regret it",
so I bought them and am so glad I did.
Tuesday I did a lot of grocery
shopping, today I have to clean and find my Thanksgiving entertaining
things, Thursday I'm making a big dinner. But there's always time for
internet shopping. If you find time to shop with YYJ, there's a special
today. I'll have a very early "bird" shopping special on Thanksgiving,
and on Friday. If you have any ideas of what you'd like to see for a special,
let me know. After all, you're the customer, and I want to give you something
you want! November 21
I read an article in the newspaper about the ongoing political upheaval in Myanman (Burma) and that the US and Europe was considering imposing trade sanctions to prohibit the import of products, particularly gemstones, to the US and Europe. Already some high profile people are boycotting the rubies. I've been trying to follow up on this news because the boycott would probably affect the availability of jadeite. From what I hear directly from the jadeite buyers, the conditions for the jade miners are not despicable like shown in "Blood Diamonds". Chinese business people have always placed the personal relationship as a high priority in doing any kind of business. I appreciate and respect the relationship building, and while it takes longer to "do business" this way, I am much more comfortable and get a better product when I do business "Chinese style". My favorite jade carver has a relationship with the person he buys the jadeite from, and therefore has an interest in how it is mined. And my business associate in China and I work on keeping a good relationship with him. The result is when I get jade carved directly from the carver, I know where the jade comes from, who carves it, and get it for a much lower price because it doesn't pass through any more "middle men" and the price doesn't raise as it passes through extra hands. The jade I buy in the jade market is considerably more expensive than the jade I buy directly from the carver. The down side of buying from the carver is less vareity because jade carved from the same rough is similar. But then I buy variety in the jade market. So sometimes you see a price difference and wonder why, and now you know one of the reasons. Back to the political turmoil in Burma, if you see a jade piece you like, I suggest you get it because if there's a boycott, jade will go up in price for the jade already in China, and will become more difficult to get. November 20
The results are in for the Jade Bangle Bracelets identity fabric contest, click here to see results. This web site is an "overflow" of Ying Yu Jade bangles, and will run through the holiday season. Thanks for your submissions and votes. Coupons for those who submitted fabrics will be sent to you by email this week. November 18
I was watching "Antiques Road Show" and one of the collectors
had a jade ring that was being appraised. It was an art deco cabochon
style, with diamonds around it and tanzanite accents done in a platinum
setting. The appraiser said that the setting, and other stones were irrelevant
to the value, that the value came from the jade stone. She shined a light
through it and it was very included with black spots, but still very green
and somewhat translucent. She also said that jade was the most difficult
of the gems to put a value on because the value is determined by the seller
and the person who wants to buy it. But she gave it an estimated value
of $18,000-20,000. Old vintage jade can be very valuable, but she was
right, the value is in the desire to own it! Watch for the results of
the contest posted tomorrow evening. November 17
Vote for your favorite "background" fabric on Jade Bangle Bracelets web site. And save $25 on any jade bangle $150+. Click the link for the contest and details on the coupon. I enjoyed taking the photos on the different fabrics. It really shows how jade looks so different depending on the colors around it. I appreciate your feedback. November 14
Thanks to you who sent in fabrics for the Jade Bangle Bracelets web site identity contest. The last day for mailing them was Friday, so I should receive all that were submitted by Wednesday. It's challenging to find a fabric that works good for taking photos of jade bangles. Jade being translucent, the pale colors "suck up" the dark background colors. Some fabrics are really pretty, but are too "busy" and distract from the jade. And some fabrics diffuse the light from the flash oddly, and then I can't adjust the photo. So I've enjoyed taking some practice photos on some of the fabrics. I received an envelope of three fabrics that are really pretty and Asian. I'll use some of the best for sample photos on the web site, and request reader feedback. I want to know what you find attractive, and show off the jade pieces to their best. November 13
A traditional Chinese medicine treatment for "restless leg syndrome" is foot massage, You can also use a gua sha tool on the bottom of the feet. In China when you get a foot massage, the massage extends to at least the knees, sometimes above the knees. Dr. Charles Li suggests giving yourself a foot massage when you go to bed, so you can get the effects of the massage right when you need it. He used to use the traditional water bufallo gua sha tools until I showed him jade gua sha tools I purchased in the jade market on one of my trips, and he has been using jade now. Jade is very compatible with body qi and an animal doesn't have to suffer for people to feel better. Nobember 12
Sometimes bad things happen to good jade. The jade bangles in the clearance sections are still very good jade bangles, and the small cracks and scratches are not easily seen and will not affect the integrity. If they survived the trip from China, they will probably survive your daily wearing. I wear cracked bangles often, like when I am going to be in the pool because it's easy to whack a bangle on the side of the pool, and I don't like to wear my "good" ones. I've never had a cracked bangle break, and sometimes sell the right off my wrist. So if you want a "first" jade bangle for a young lady, these are a good choice, or if you want to try a different size, or see one of the clearance bangles and like the color and aren't bothered by small flaws, these are a good choice. I have some customers who only buy clearance bangles, and then when they receive them ask me where the crack is! I never sell anything I wouldn't wear myself. November 9.
The Daily Special for today is a perfect example of "glass" jade. This is a small jade bangle I purchased for myself. The jade is called "glass" because of its appearance, very icy with a pale color, and very soft hues of green and a hint of lavender. Photos don't show every detail of jade, but you can see all the "flowering" in the "glass", which is the jade stone. When you see the jade stone in "glass" and translucent jade, you can tell that it hasn't been bleached, because bleaching removes the "flower" pattern of the stone. This color of jade is also a good color to wear this time of the year, because it has energy for the lung meridian that, according to Chinese medicine, is at risk in November. You will also notice that this jade bangle isn't listed on the web pages, it's only on the daily special page because I'm ambivalent about selling it, and if it doesn't sell while it's on special, I'll probably keep it and start to wear it. I really don't like my "pretty jade" to sit in a drawer, so I'm offering it to a good home! It's a perfect jade bangle if you wear a small size. November 8
Regarding the November newsletter discussing the weather cooler in November, a reader wrote that instead of buying long sleeve tops and blouses, she has been getting the 3/4 length sleeve so her jade bangle really stands out! The weather gets quite cool in Florida in the winter, and I also have bought the 3/4 length shirts, because of showing off the jade bangle. For most of us, the way the jade bangle fits means it slides part way up your forearm, and the 3/4 length sleeve is really perfect for jade bangle wearers. So show off your jade bangle and wear with much happiness. November 6
One of my friends wrote that she wore her jade bangle to a party and sat at a table with other women who wear wearing and discussing jade bangles, and one of the women who considers herself a "jade expert" commented that all jade has impurities and receive treatments, and she was wondering if that statement was accurate. Yes, jade does have impurities, and that's why your jade bangle isn't "perfect". The lower priced "A" jade isn't very attractive, and if jade receives color treated, the treatment makes the prettier. Some treated jade is often more expensive than untreated jade. If you buy jade at Ying Yu Jade, you get what you pay for, and lower priced jade is often not as pretty as the more expensive. If you have purchased several bangles, and read the blogs and information you are becoming a jade expert! November 5
When we went to Tampa, we arranged
to meet other family in St Petersburg, at a restaurant. Next to the restaurant
was a small "Chinatown strip mall" with a large sign advertising
jade. So of course I checked it out. It was mostly an Asian grocery market,
and at one end were Chinese souvenier type products, things I don't think
anyone really buys. And the Chinese lady behind the counter saw my bangle
and then picked up a bunch of bangles from a bowl, saying that she had
nice jade like I was wearing. She was showing me plastic green, red and
lavender bangles, saying it was real jade. It was obvious that it wasn't
jade, and I didn't even touch it to know what it was (and was not). I
used to take trade-ins on bangles on I sold, I would take any kind of
"jade" bangle and give a discount because I knew people were
getting cheated buying fake jade and I wanted to give them a break and
let them experience real jade, and still get some credit for whatever
they gave me. I just couldn't take any more of this fake jade and stopped
taking trade ins. I was re-selling it at my yard sales, letting people
know it was fake jade, costume jewelry, but really, I just couldn't take
any more! So be careful when you shop, if it's cheap, it probably isn't
worth having. November 4
I'm going to a family function in Tampa, and am planning to wear a plum
and black top with black capri pants, and I thought I would have to change
my bangle from the tri-color "fu lu shou" jade bangle I've been
wearing since September. The "hong" doesn't seem like it will
look good with the plumb but I tried them together and the bangle looks
fine with it. For all the years I've been wearing jade, it still surprises
me how well jade looks with everything, even if the colors don't seem
to complement each other. Jade has the ability to do that, if your jade
is natural color, because of its translucence and energy that is so compatible
to the body's energy. I also like my white jade with the imperial green
veins with the plum color. Decisions, decisions! What fun! November 2
Chinese Wellness for November
The month of November is related to the lungs and lung meridian, which is the metal element. Often people feel the emotion of grief in November, which is the lung qi being out of balance. Expressing feelings of grief help to rid the body of this excess. Keep grief bottled up inside can lead to problems breathing, and contribute to the growth of tumors or cancer. Breath is essential to life.
The Chinese term chi is usually translated as energy, but it really means breath. The energy of the body is the breath of the body; the energy of the heart is the breath of the heart. They are one and the same.
So if you wish to guard your health and enhance it, one of the best things you can do is engage in some form of spiritual meditation that emphasize breath. Not only will this energize you, it will clear much of the grief we all experience by living in this world. Excess grief exaggerates the force of contraction, crushing the heart nestled within the canopy of the lung. But grief can be cleared, restoring our connection to the love of the world and the divine, which are ever-present. If you are an advanced meditation practitioner, you can learn Tonglen meditation, using your breath as medicine to heal yourself, and to go a step further, practicing into the world.
Dr. Charles Li, who lives and practices in Beijing China, recommends treating colds and flu as soon as you feel them coming on with Yin Chao Cold Pills and Watermelon Frost Lozenges.. These and more available on the Calm Spirit web site.
If you wear jade for health, 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.
The Calm
Spirit / Ying Yu Jade November newsletter is available online now, click
here. This month features Chinese medicine wellness information for
November 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.
November 1, 2007
contact:calmspirit@calmspirit.net
