Jade - A Symbol of Love

I’m working on a custom order for a necklace incorporating Jade. I did some research on this beautiful stone and here are some interesting facts.

Jade is a name that was applied to ornamental stones that were being brought to Europe from China and Central America. It wasn't until 1863 that it was realized that the name "Jade" was being applied to two different minerals, Jadeite and Nephrite. The two minerals are both exquisite and are hard to distinguish from each other.

Jadeite is almost never found in individual crystals and is composed of microscopic interlocking crystals that produce a very tough material. Nephrite is actually not a mineral, but a variety of the mineral actinolite.

The toughness of jade is remarkable. The strength of jade is greater than steel and was put to work by many early civilizations for axes, knives and weapons. It was later that jade became a symbolic stone used in ornaments and other religious artifacts during the eons.

Today jade is still valued for its beauty. Its many colors are appreciated, but it’s the emerald green color, that jadeite produces so well, that is highly sought after by artwork collectors. This emerald green jade called "Imperial Jade" is colored by chromium. Other colors are influenced by iron (green and brown) and manganese is thought to produce the violet colors. Lavender Jade is the most highly valued and the rarest form of the stone. Nephrite is usually only green and creamy white, while jadeite can have the full range of jade's colors.
Jadeite is from Myanmar, Japan, and USA (Alaska and California). Nephrite Jade is from Myanmar, Russia, China and USA (Wyoming).

Be aware that Serpentine is often sold as Jade. Here is a sample of misleading terms:
"Amazon Jade" and "Colorado Jade" is really Amazonite (green feldspar).
"American Jade" is really the Californite (green variety of idocrase).
"Imperial Mexican Jade" and "Mexican Jade" are really green-dyed calcite.
"Indian Jade" is really aventurine.
"Korea Jade" and "New Jade" are Serpentine.

In China, jade is regarded as a special stone. It is believed that when handled some of the secret virtue of the substance is absorbed into the body. Jade has been treasured in China as the royal gemstone, for 5,000 years. A butterfly carved from jade holds a special romantic significance. Ancient Chinese legend tells of a youth who wandered into the garden of a wealthy mandarin in pursuit of a multi-colored butterfly. Instead of being punished for trespassing, his visit led to marriage with the mandarin's daughter. Today, a jade butterfly symbolizes successful love.

Legends have it that the Spanish conquers of Central America wore amulets of Jadeite to prevent/cure hip and kidney complaints.

Jade is the Mystical Birthstone for March and the anniversary gemstone for the 12th, 30th and 35th year of marriage.

How to Make Ribbon Bracelets

Here's a fun, easy project on how to make ribbon bracelets. This is a fun project to do with kids. Get creative with different colored ribbons.

Two Little Words

Thank You (Grazie Tanto)

Two little words but they mean everything to me today as I reflect on the past year and look forward to a new beginning in the next one.

One can never pay in gratitude; one can only pay “in kind” somewhere else in life.

Thank you for your kindness, advice, compliments, encouragement and respect. Thank you for your patronage and referrals.

Grazie Tanto….no matter in what language they are expressed, the words mean the same as I try to extend them with a full heart and excitement for what the new year will bring.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. I wish I could reach out personally to all my family, friends and colleages to embrace you and extend my well wishes. Until we meet again in 2011, I send you all my best regards.

Ciao,
Anna

Holiday 2010 Trends

Most of us are out shopping for holiday gifts and/or festive clothing this month (or letting our fingers do the walking in Cyberspace). Here’s a brief summary of the hot jewelry trends for this season.

Classic
One trend that continues to stand the test of time is traditionally elegant styles. Pearls and rhinestones with an antique feel give an heirloom look to jewelry styles. Update the look with satin or velvet ribbon, or even lace embellishments. The vintage feel of this lady-like jewelry captures the nostalgia of holiday times past. Lady-like purses are all the rage right now and so is the classic jewelry look.

Edgy
Another hot trend this year brings a somewhat dark and mysterious element to jewelry. Multiple or messy chains, gunmetal components and objects with a slightly macabre feel are all popular choices. Talons, daggers, black lace and velvet give an air of Edgar Allan Poe-like intrigue to holiday designs. This trend might incorporate marcasite, black onyx, antiqued metals and blood red garnet.

Glamorous
A holiday party is a great excuse to layer fabulous oversized sparkling jewelry. Give special occasions a festive feeling with rhinestone brooches, shoulder duster earrings, cocktail rings and sparkly cuff bracelets to set you in the holiday mood. Think crystal and cubic zirconia in jewel tones and sequin and crystal sew-on embellishments for affordable elegance in eye-catching designs. I use Swarovski Crystals whenever I can in my holiday jewelry designs……nothing sparkles like these except Diamonds…..of course.

The sweetest things in life are free…….it’s the upkeep that is expensive.

Thick Hair and It's Benefits

Most of us find it difficult to name our best features or say what we like most about ourselves. I have always loved my thick hair. I often think that if I could, I would share some of it with all those poor souls that have thin, limp hair….like one of my favorite aunts.

I’m not bragging….just being thankful for having lots of hair and its thick texture. This week I found yet another reason why I’m thankful. It takes me a good 25-30 minutes to blow-dry all that hair. In those minutes that I’ve often cursed (who has an extra half hour to spend on their hair?), I discovered that I have some of my best ideas….both in a personal nature and business. Personally, I think about my chores for the day, or gift ideas for family members, or fun things I can do in my spare time (okay…not lately). Business-wise I come up with some great marketing ideas, strategies to try, ways I can help my customers, networking opportunities, new designs for my jewelry, jewelry-making classes I will take (okay….not lately).

I figure thinking about all the positive things in my life and making plans while I’m blow drying my hair is a lot safer than doing that while I’m driving and rushing to my next appointment. It’s also a good thing that I get totally immersed in my jewelry making, or who knows what crazy designs I’d come up with.

Followup about my last post - Customer Service

I've been so crazy busy (all good) that I never posted the outcome of my dilemma to speak up or not about my experience at the spa. Here's what happened. I had my meeting but didn't say anything because we met in an open area where employees would have heard the conversation. It just wasn't an appropriate time or place to let the owner know what happened and how I felt. I did get the business....yeah...and will be setting up there next week. If in the future the occasion arises to say something I might or I'll just have to let it go. Thanks again for your thoughts and opinions.

Venting about one of my Pet Peeves

I experienced a situation concerning one of my pet peeves this week and I really need to vent about it. I’d also love some feedback on how you think I should handle the situation.

I had the pleasure of hearing Kim Richmond of Richmond Marketing & Communications speak at my Women Owned Business Network meeting. The topic was “The Power of a Personal Brand.” I got a lot out of the presentation, but one of the biggest points she made was how your brand represents you personally. She spoke about defining your brand message and asked, “what are the things that make you unique?” Of course, I feel my jewelry designs are unique, and I strive to give my customers good value for their money, but the thing I’m most proud of is my excellent customer service. My pet peeve is not getting this excellent customer service when I’m the customer.

So….here's what happened. I had two treatments at one of the spas in my area. As I was checking out, the total for my services was $19 more than I expected. I had received a coupon in an email from the spa, but I didn’t bring it with me. I explained this to the gal and she said she was sorry but that I had to bring the coupon in to receive the discount. I told her that I hadn’t been told that when I made my appointment and that I didn’t remember the email stating that I needed to print the coupon and present it. I told her she could look and see that I was on their mailing list. She said she could see that I was but that they track the coupons. She was very sorry but she couldn’t give me the discount without the coupon.

I think coupons are great and I’ve used them myself as a marketing tool. Rules are rules, and policies serve a purpose, but you know what? Sometimes rules and policies can and should be broken. In this case, to satisfy a customer and make her happy, I know what I would have done. If one of my customers is not happy with a piece, they can return it for a refund or pick out another piece. If I get a customer order to design something and it’s just not perfect, I will go back and rework it until it’s perfect for that particular customer. I will do just about anything to make the customer happy and feel that I gave them excellent customer service.

I didn’t want to make a fuss, partly because that’s my personality (after all, it was only $19) but also because I had planned to ask to speak to the owner about selling my jewelry in her spa. So I paid the bill. I did meet the owner, and we have an appointment next week. Now I’m trying to decide if I should tell her about the coupon situation. Today, I was getting ready for another appointment and had to actually stop blow drying my hair and come vent about it by posting this on my blog. I guess I am more upset about it than I thought and that’s what pet peeves are all about. They are situations that just don’t sit right with you.

I need to go to my appointment but I will think about this some more before I make my decision. What do you think about it? Should I discuss this with the shop owner or just let it go? I would love to get your feedback.