More rock collecting (nephrite and jadeite)

[Crimson]

I had read years ago on another pearl forum that the knotting is a western thing. As long as the beads are okay, so am I. The dark green flower necklace is only 20 inches, so I will probably knot that one for added length. The chatoyant nephrite can also use the length.

It helps to know others have had a wild jade spree. My husband is being pretty understanding as I have loaded my cart up at KJ with feverish regularity. He helped me pick the newest dark green. Then I showed him the prices grade A goes for in the US. I feel pretty confident I could sell what I bought and be okay.

I think all of the boxes have been checked. Bright, quiet, light, dark, flower, icy, opaque...I think I caught as many as I can afford for now. My wallet is crying. I think I am done for now...until next year. I still need a pair of simple icy green studs.

@MMtwo, I relish the idea of a jade spree! Your husband is truly understanding. Hm, guys can wear Jade too, ahem…esp pins or brooches which are so on trend.
Yes, have a rest for now and savour all your Jade, slowly…simple icy studs are not hard to find so they can wait.

 

[MMtwo]

Finished the stringing for now. A few unfortunate knots, and wish I had used a darker gray or dark olive. But for the jade, it is lovely in the sunlight. The knots are a celery green, but look washed out in the pictures. The chatoyancy gives a cats eye effect.

 

[MMtwo]

Restrung the lavender mystery beads. Needed knot covers, so this is a temporary restring. Anyhow, chalk it up to practice. I removed the funky dark beads. Gave the beads a bath in the ultrasonic. Looking better and feeling good on, even if they may have treatment.

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

I cracked.

Meet Elenor. They’re a bicolor nephrite jade pixiu from AffluentGems on Etsy. I love them.




They also sent a little gift: a little nephrite ball. I suspect it’s dyed, but it was free, so I have no issue.

 

[MMtwo]

I love them… love!!!!!!!! How cute and the name is prefect. The teeth . Now you’re safe.

I have enjoyed the gifts that ride along in some purchases. This may sound disrespectful, more a cultural ignorance on my part. First bangle I bought came with a lavender gourd. I had not done enough jade shopping at that time, and was so mystified at why they sent a lavender poop emoji.

How far I have come.

 

[MMtwo]

@Lentibulariaceae that color. What a beauty!

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

@Lentibulariaceae that color. What a beauty!

Aren’t they? I’ve been casually looking for a nice nephrite specimen for forever but most of the carvings aren’t my style. The “ribs” on his back are also great for worrying with when the Existential Dread kicks in.

 

[MMtwo]

@Lentibulariaceae oh perfect worry stones. There is something transcendent when the texture, translucence and glow meet in a carving like this. So much energy too. Great pick!!! Lol, I keep coming back to appreciate how beautiful it is.

I am wearing my jade beads and can’t keep my hands off them. Great worry stones!

 

[Crimson]

Finished the stringing for now. A few unfortunate knots, and wish I had used a darker gray or dark olive. But for the jade, it is lovely in the sunlight. The knots are a celery green, but look washed out in the pictures. The chatoyancy gives a cats eye effect.

Ooh, the chatoyancy is marvelous!

 

[Crimson]

I cracked.

Meet Elenor. They’re a bicolor nephrite jade pixiu from AffluentGems on Etsy. I love them.




They also sent a little gift: a little nephrite ball. I suspect it’s dyed, but it was free, so I have no issue.

Gorgeous! Eleanor the pixiu has some attitude. It certainly looks protective

I love them… love!!!!!!!! How cute and the name is prefect. The teeth . Now you’re safe.

I have enjoyed the gifts that ride along in some purchases. This may sound disrespectful, more a cultural ignorance on my part. First bangle I bought came with a lavender gourd. I had not done enough jade shopping at that time, and was so mystified at why they sent a lavender poop emoji.

The gourd looked like poop? It is not supposed to
Now I am wondering and need to see a photo.
I used to buy my nephrite from JadeMineCanaddon Etsy (Nikki and Paul are really kind). I also bought some lovely pieces from a seller in the Ural Mountains but he closed after Russia invaded Ukraine.
In Singapore, there is gegegems, which has a wide selection.

gegegems

gegegems

gegegems.com

 

[MMtwo]

Here is the gourd, and I pray that vendor never sees it! Now I see a gourd.

Thank you. I do love these Russian Nephrite beads. Even in low light, they have that gemmy, glowy look. I need to restring in a different color, not sure what yet.

Restrung the lavenders a second time and still not satisfied. However, looking much better. I will send them in for testing soon.

 

[MMtwo]

Gorgeous! Eleanor the pixiu has some attitude. It certainly looks protective

The gourd looked like poop? It is not supposed to
Now I am wondering and need to see a photo.
I used to buy my nephrite from JadeMineCanaddon Etsy (Nikki and Paul are really kind). I also bought some lovely pieces from a seller in the Ural Mountains but he closed after Russia invaded Ukraine.
In Singapore, there is gegegems, which has a wide selection.

gegegems

gegegems

gegegems.com

Oh the Makepeace family at JadeMine Canada. Lovely folks and pioneers in the Canadian jade industry. I bought a couple items from there. They are lovely people! Not that I know them, but their name keeps cropping up in books and online Jade information.

Thanks for the heads up. I will look at gegems.

 

[MMtwo]

Also, I want to add (and I think this is cute) I am now getting email advertising in Chinese.

 

[MMtwo]

One more tidbit, Andrew Shaw has published a new book on Jade. Andrew Shaw is a former BBC Journalist who decided to move to China and become a jade carver. I picked it up last night but did not start it yet. I mean, this sounds like an interesting read to b sure. I enjoyed his first book "Jade Life" chronicling his move from England to China, and working through the cultural shifts and jade culture. There are few glimpses into this world from the West, and I found it fascinating.

Jade is the most romantic and blood drenched stone on earth. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it. In more recent times, spoiled heiresses with more money than sense and hard nosed businessmen who should have known better squandered fortunes collecting it. If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you. A Jade Treasury is Andrew’s third book. It follows his best selling JADE LIFE about the world of jade in modern China and his critically acclaimed book, SPOIL, which catalogues the jades looted from China by the West. You can buy a copy of Andrew’s new book, A Jade Treasury,HERE

 

[MMtwo]

Also, just one more. I liked the strong color.

 

[Crimson]

Here is the gourd, and I pray that vendor never sees it! Now I see a gourd.

Hehe! Thank you, @MMtwo. The gourd represents healing. Wow, your earring collection is extensive

One more tidbit, Andrew Shaw has published a new book on Jade. Andrew Shaw is a former BBC Journalist who decided to move to China and become a jade carver. I picked it up last night but did not start it yet. I mean, this sounds like an interesting read to b sure. I enjoyed his first book "Jade Life" chronicling his move from England to China, and working through the cultural shifts and jade culture. There are few glimpses into this world from the West, and I found it fascinating.

Jade is the most romantic and blood drenched stone on earth. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it. In more recent times, spoiled heiresses with more money than sense and hard nosed businessmen who should have known better squandered fortunes collecting it. If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you. A Jade Treasury is Andrew’s third book. It follows his best selling JADE LIFE about the world of jade in modern China and his critically acclaimed book, SPOIL, which catalogues the jades looted from China by the West. You can buy a copy of Andrew’s new book, A Jade Treasury,HERE

Nice! Thanks for sharing. I admire him for making such a dramatic change and then excelling at it. Jade goes back all the way to the Neolithic ages in China. Jade was used in religious ceremonies as the connection to the spirits or higher powers. Many ritual objects were made of jade (nephrite). One of the symbols that has persisted through time is the "bi", now called a safety buckle or rather unceremoniously, a doughnut. Another an the obelisk. I have attached a photo my my "mutton fat" bi.

Neolithic Jade – China Online Museum

www.comuseum.com

Also, just one more. I liked the strong color.

I like how casually you said, "Just one more" Good going!