I enjoy a cruise vacation best because I am truly "away" from everything. If there's a problem back home, I can't do anything about it. In fact, I might not even know about since I buy just enough internet minutes to get my store back online a couple days before I get home. And I take a few jade bangles with me because there is always someone who comments on my jade bangle I'm wearing, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to buy one for herself. One of our ports of call is in Guatamala, and Guatamala is famous in central America for jade! I don't know much about Guatamala jade, except that it's considered to be jadeite, and am excited to see some and learn more about it. In fact, if I get so excited I just have to share, I might even buy more internet minutes to tell you all about it on the blog. My husband just rolls his eyes when we're vacationing and I see some jade, or hear a great jade story, and tell him I can't wait to blog about it! The stores will close May 11, open again May 25, shipping will resume May 28. If you need to contact me, wait until May 28 because I don't want your email to get lost while we are gone. May 9

I went to a trade show this weekend. There are usually some Chinese sellers who bring me interesting jade pieces, and the agreement is if I am there first thing, first day of the show, I get "first pick" before they are put out for general sales. But, none of my favorite sellers where there. The other Chinese sellers had some jade, including Chinese jade bangles, but the bangles were all cracked and chipped up because not carefully handled, and they were selling them like nothing was wrong with them. YYJ customers would be shocked if they got jade bangles in that condition. And the "jade" pendants I usually buy weren't real jade, but the price that the jade pendants usually cost. The only jade I purchased were some turtle bracelets on adjustable silk cords, and I had to pick through them to find ones that were in good condition. I put those on for sale as our final Mother's Day special. I was very disappointed in the show. I thought I might buy some sterling silver chains to sell with pendants, but the prices were so high, they sure were not wholesale prices. I usually treat myself and buy something special "just for me" and usually from a seller who specializes in sterling and gemstone pendants, earrings, necklaces. But I didn't buy myself anything, because the pendants were so "common" and not unique like they used to be. Is this what the jewelry trend it? If so, very disappointing. At least jade is unique, and YYJ selections are more unque because I only buy what I personally like. That's the scary thing, because if I don't like it, I won't buy it, and I won't have anything new. May 6

Turtles are a traditional Chinese symbol of longevity. I have seen so many of them in Beijing, especially around and inside the Forbidden City and other dynasty Chinese areas. One of my jade and yoga friends is always checking to see if I have jade turtles on the site. She purchased a small jade turtle carving for her Chinese doctor/friend as a gift, and the next time she visited him, he showed her that he had tied a cord to it, and was wearing it inside his shirt. The jade turtle bracelet that is today's special deal makes a perfect Mother's Day gift. We wish our mother's longevity and want them to have the precious gift of jade, and this adjustable bracelet, at the discounted price, makes a perfect gift. May 5

I'm taking one of today's special on the cruise next week because it will look so good with many of my dressy dinner outfits. I had these pearl and jade necklaces made for me while I was at the pearl market in Beijing, and the pears are so lustrous and beautiful, the entire necklace is unique. I've also worn this necklace with jeans and a tee shirt, so they are versatile. If you want to purchase a jade gift for someone but don't know what they will think of jade, this is a good way to introduce jade. It's like a chameleon you can dress it up, or down. And at 20% discount today. May 4

A girlfriend recommended a jeweler in Kissimmee that does good work to repair the clasp on my favorite ankle bracelet, and that he would possibly fix it while I wait. The first thing I noticed when I entered his store was his Gemology Institute of America certification on the wall. I asked him a lot of questions about the gemstones he had for sale and I could tell he was knowledgeable. He had some really unique jewelry in his store, but no jade. I told him I sold jadeite, and he was impressed with my knowledge, then I asked if he would do certification for some of the more expensive jades I sell if customers request. He said that he didn't know as much about jadeite as I did, but would be willing to do the basic testing and certify the jade piece, although he does the same testing I do for refraction to show it is genuine jadeite and not bleached with acids and infused with resins. But that GIA is the "gold standard" in gem certification. And now I canl offer it if requested on some of those several thousand dollar jadeite bangles you see on the web site. May 3

We have the photos taken in natural daylight to show off the natural beauty of the jade, and not have to edit so what you see is what you get. But I redecorated the porch we use for photos. It was very "white": walls, blinds, decor. And We gave it a colorful paint job, added cinnamon bamboo roman shades, and lots of color. The end result is warm and cheery, but the cinnamon bamboo shades are casting a reddish/brown light color. The photos are taken close to the windows so the light can show the translucence, and give enough light so we don't need to edit. But now it's giving an odd cast to the photos and I'm not sure what I can do about it. And I don't want to take the shades off for photos. We experimented on this latest batch of jades being listed, and the white yin jade and translucence is being compromised. The May 2 Daily Special is a good example of a poor photo. The real thing is glassy and translucent. So it's at a low preview price, and will be a higher price if it doesn't sell and we have to get new photos. I promise it is spectacular, nicer than the photo shows, so if it's your size, you trust YYJ and want to take a chance on a jadeite bangle that should sell for $888+, get it! May 2

The Calm Spirit / Ying Yu Jade complete May newsletter is available online now, click here. This month features Chinese medicine wellness information for May 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. May 1

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