Ying Yu Jade
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I couldn't resist making an "emerging spring" jade color pattern for the Daily Special. Most of us have had enough of winter, and in China, spring begins with Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival. Two popular jade color patterns this time of year are the "emerging spring", spring green on white, and "moss in snow", a deeper mossy green that survives all weather on white. The white and darker colors are yin and yang, very Dao and in harmony with the universe, and help to balance us. And pretty, too, to help us get through the last few weeks of winter. Watch for "moss in snow" tomorrow. February 8
I've been hearing
from readers about the heavy snow they received yesterday, from 30 inches
in Virgina to 22 inches in Pittsburgh. We are having cold weather here
in Florida from the edge of that storm.This morning it was 47 degrees,
cloudy and not what we expect for Florida winter weather. I usually start
my day with tea in a teaball, brewing in my Ox mug. But today called for
something more from tea. I got out my small teapot, and a fine bone china
cup and saucer, and brewed a pot of jasmine tea. For some reason, it tasted
better in the china cup, and made the morning more pleasant. Late winter
is a wonderful time to enjoy tea. Not only does tea have health benefits,
it also soothes and nourishes the body, mind and spirit. This weeks special
will be from the Calm
Spirit Herb and Tea Shop, our selection of Chinese teas. We offer
some unique and classic tea. These are all teas I drink and I raid the
store for my personal use. This week when you purchase two or more teas,
and write "gift" in the comments box on the order form, I'll
send you a gift that will brighten your day. It's a surprise, a sample
from a new business in Beijing, and a clue is that you should let me know
if you have a medium or large wrist. There's only a few, and while the
supply lasts. February 7
Last week a customer who has purchased the best quality jadeite bangle bracelets from YYJ asked if I had a white jadeite bangle in her size, which is the same size I wear. I had a pair of lao pit jadeite bangles I purchased for myself, and offered to sell her one. She didn't even ask for a photo, paid and I shipped it to her. When she received it she wrote how beautiful it is, and that she was very happy with her purchase. The price was more than $1000, and she trusted that since she had purchased from me in the past, she would get what she paid for, and it would be fine quality. I am very picky about the jade I buy and sell, and sell only what I would buy for myself. That's why it was always fun buying the jade bangles, even if they weren't my size, I could enjoy them while I had them, enjoy taking their photo, and eventually packing when I sold them. If I didn't like the jades, I wouldn't feel good about selling them to anyone. You will always get very good jade from YYJ. February 6
The Daily Special jade bangle was a real bargain today, and there are some real bargains on Jade Bangle Bracelets web sites. We're NOT a discount web site, nothing is artificially marked up so we can have a "sale", so a bargain is a real bargain. The daily special sold out today, as well as a bargain priced fu lu shou jadeite bangle, and I have been hearing from customers who were so disappointed about missing out on these, as they had been looking at them for awhile. I have a box of jade bangles I've been listing at $200 or below because I bought them years ago when jade was much less expensive, and have been offering them at low prices even though their present value is at least twice as much, because these are tough economic times, and we need our jade! So I'll repeat the "ancient Chinese saying", which is "get it, or regret it". I'm sorry I can't give a deep discount on everything. I personally shop in China to buy the best jade I can offer, and the prices you see are still below retail, in China! February 5
I went to Jared's today to get ideas for getting a new setting for an ancient diamond ring. Of course, I had to try on several things, and would like to purchase a bracelet for my right wrist, as I wear my jade bangle on my non-dominant left wrist. The bracelet I liked best was a tricolor diamond cut white, yellow and rose gold bars and beads, it was substantial enough to not get overshadowed by my jade bangle. The sales clerk admired my jade bangle, then showed me some jade she thought I would like, very obviously color treated jade set in 14k gold. She didn't understand that it was color treated, and had a brittle and harsh appearance. Jewelers just don't "get it" about good, natural high quality jadeite. It's rare to find in a "regular" jewelry store. I didn't get the bracelet, there were several of them, and I also can order them online as they are not rare or unique. But each jade bangle is rare and unique. The "get it or regret it" rule applies to jade, but I didn't get that feeling with the pretty, but one of many, gold bracelet. February 4
Last week I listed some bargain jadeite bangles, $188, and customers have written to tell me how nice they are, and what a value they were at that price. Photos sure don't show them at their best, and the actual jade bangle is much prettier than the photo shows. Today's Special is a big value, too, but the price reflects its value, what I paid for it, so a little higher. The past few days have been cloudy, raining, and I haven't taken photos. I like to take them in natural daylight, with the light reflecting off the high polish, and I can't get that good appearance when I don't have brighter daylight. I want you to see from the photo how they look, and you can be assured that what you get is nicer than the photo. If you see any YYJ or JBB jade bangles for less than $300, they are truly a good deal. February 3
Last night I had a headache, and put my jade pillow cover over my pillow, then turned on my side to put the hurting part against the jade. I slept fine and no headache in the morning. And my hair was really shiny. Usually when I get up in the morning my hair is dull, and I wash it in the morning to get it to look good before I start my day. I had "touched up the roots" Saturday and the chemical are harsh on the hair, and I was surprised it was so healthy looking. Jade pillow covers are made with pure and natural Chinese jade, and the pieces are small so they're comfortable. A lot of manual work goes into making these, then they are attached to silk backing. This jade is the same jade the rollers, gua sha tool, healing tools are made from so it really does balance your body while you sleep. February 2
The Calm Spirit / Ying Yu Jade complete February newsletter is available online now, click here. This month features Chinese medicine wellness information for February 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
