Antigua Guatemala is a place for Jade and Silver Jewelry. The prices are very competative and you need to shop around the 15 or so quality Jade and Silver shops in Antigua.

It’s worth a trip to San Filipe de Jesus Guatemala just to get a look at the this small church, distinctive for a number of reasons.  It’s neo-gothic architecture sets it apart from its baroque neighbors in nearby pueblos, towns and cities.  As well, since it wasn’t built until 1819 it’s much younger and lighter in step than the more ponderous Spanish colonial churches, which were established starting in the early 16th century.

There’s a good silver and Jade Jewelry factory in another part of town.  We had to ask several people where it was.  We suggest you do the same if you are attempting this solo and without a bus tour guide.

The store and factory were locked up and the wares under cover, since they weren’t expecting tourist hordes that Saturday morning.  We were glad we made the effort because Mrs. Y couldn’t resist a really pretty pair of turquoise jade and silver earrings that were purchased at a very reasonable price.

About Jade

Jade was a rare and valued material in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. The only source from which the various indigenous cultures, such as the Olmec and Maya, could obtain jade was located in the Motagua River valley in Guatemala. Jade was largely an elite good, and was usually carved in various ways, whether serving as a medium upon which hieroglyphs were inscribed, or shaped into symbolic figurines. Generally, the material was highly symbolic, and it was often employed in the performance of ideological practices and rituals.

Jade is an ornamental stone. The term jade is applied to two different metamorphic rocks that are made up of different silicate minerals:
Nephrite consists of a microcrystaline interlocking fibrous matrix of the calcium, magnesium-iron rich amphibole mineral series tremolite (calcium-magnesium)-ferroactinolite (calcium-magnesium-iron). The middle member of this series with an intermediate composition is called actinolite (the silky fibrous mineral form is one form of asbestos). The higher the iron content the greener the color.
Jadeite is a sodium- and aluminum-rich pyroxene. The gem form of the mineral is a microcrystaline interlocking crystal matrix.

Shop in Antigua Guatemala that sell Jade and Silver.

I really recommend sticking to the reputable stores in Antigua Guatemala where you’ll find the most amazing selection of Jade Jewelry and sculptures and where you can obtain a certificate of authenticity. Avoid the tourist walking tours that take you to a drop off as part of the tour to a Jade factory. Avoid the Markets, would you buy a diamond ring at a Super Market? The list of Jade shops below have a long standing reputation in Antigua for making and selling quality Jade and Silver Jewelry

Jades Imperio Maya

Jades S.A.

La Casa del Jade

Joyeria del Angel

Jades Antigua

Mayan Treasures

Jade Nahual

El Reino del Jade

Isaias Chiquito

El Quinto Sol

Batres Plata

Pablos Silver Shop

Seline

   Jade was the most important stone of the Maya. “Jade is the stone with life that gives life, because it is identified with the sun, water, blood, sacrifice, sustenance: (Tibon 1983; 147: my translation). When a lords is dying, they put a precious stone which they placed in his mouth, they believe with the stones they take their spirit. “ Early formative burials from the valley of Oaxaca at times contain a jade bead in the mouth, suggesting that the concept of jade as breath spirit may of great antiquity in Mesoamerica” (Marcus 199:figure 4,5). Sahagun explain that green jade attracts water, it attracts moisture, become wet, has dew. When Maya put a jade mosaic masks, it was to hold and sustaining the living soul of the dead kings. Jade mask portraying the breathing, vital face of the king, the wind god, also appear in jade.

Amy winehouse was once just another person living a normal life, pursuing her own dreams and lifestyle. But after her music became more and more popular she was flourished with attention. But with attention comes a decision, whether to make-it or break-it. With popularity comes fans, publicity, tabloids, paparazzi, haters, ‘new’ and ‘old’ friends that are looking for a favor or a hand-out, ‘friendlier’ family members, etc. And this can cause a lot of stress on someone who is unable to handle it. Was this the reason she abused drugs and alcohol? Were these ‘medicines’ used to help cope/deal with this stress? Well, i’m not the guy to ask. Of course I have an opinion, but who doesn’t? Should we butt out? “Leave her alone” and “Mind our own business”? Maybe, but if she really didn’t want us to know about these things, don’t you think that she would have gone out of her way to ensure the safety of her secret be kept behind closed doors? Pass judgement as you will, but I personally believe that Amy Winehouse would have made-out with a better life if she had a) continued/pursued a normal job b) join the music industry but handle herself in a manner that she would not frquently wind up on the front page of tabloids and paparazzi (in other words… handle herself). As you can see this fame took and overcame her. Her life changed immensely, and she was unable to handle it. This, I believe, was the initial downfall of her career and health.

The Chinese Zodiac is spilt up into 12 years, each named after a different animal. Each year begins on February the 3rd and lasts until January 22nd. New Year is celebrated with fireworks, feasting and Moon Cake.

2011 is the year of the rabbit and the 4th sign of the Chinese Zodiac. It is said that Buddha invited all the animal kingdom to celebrate Chinese New Year with him but only 12 attended. The rabbit was the 4th, hence his position in the Zodiac wheel.

The Chinese Zodiac is also split into twelve time periods of 2hrs.

The year of the rabbit follows the year of the tiger and is described as a time for peace and calm, rest and relaxation after a ferocious 2010.

The rabbit is an articulate talented creature trusted and admired with a good temperament; He is fond of gossip but always tactful and kind. They are hardworking and keep to their word. Rabbits are the luckiest animals in the Zodiac sign and would make good gamblers were it not for their wisdom to be reserved in money matters. Rabbits dislike conflict and their good nature means that they are often taken advantage of. Sheep, dog and pig make good partners.

Famous Rabbits include Frank Sinatra, Andy Warhol, George Michael, Jamie Oliver and David Beckham.

Year of the rabbit stone is pearl, its flower is jonquil and the best hours for the rabbit are between 5 and 7am. Rabbit season is spring and its colours are grey and white.

According to astrologers dogs, horses and tigers will be lucky in love this year. Those people investing in metals and agriculture are said to prosper in 2011.

In Chinese folklore the Jade Rabbit lived on the moon with the goddess Chang’e. Some say the surface of the moon looks like a rabbit making something, a cake perhaps or an elixir of eternal life.

image from the authors collection

Jade has been used since prehistoric times for carving and sculpting. In addition to beads and buttons, jade was also used to make Axe heads, Knives and arrow heads prior to the bronze age. As Bronze began to increasingly replace stone as the preferred material for weaponry, jade grew in popularity as an ornamental material.

Jade was used extensively in China, However it also proved very popular among Mesoamerican cultures along with the Neolithic cultures of Japan, New Zealand and Europe. Jade was being mined as early as 6000 BC. Jade ornaments have been excavated in royal tombs that date from 1600 BC. Jade was even fashioned into burial suits, later opium pipes were often fitted with mouthpieces fashioned from jade as it was thought to confer long life on the user when inhaled through.

Jade remains a very highly prized material in the Chinese empire. The rare type “Mutton Fat” jade (named for its white veined appearance) can fetch as much as £1,500 an ounce on today’s markets.  In ancient Chinese culture jade was seen as the embodiment of the five virtues of man kind ;  Wisdom, compassion, justice, modesty and courage.  It is not surprising then, that we often find representations of these virtues carved into jade.

image from the authors collection

Today jade can often be found in jewellery of all types. In addition to it’s clearly attractive colour (Most commonly Green) it is widely regarded to be a “lucky” stone, conferring good fortune on it’s wearer/carrier.

As a royal stone it’s connection to divinity is implied along with it’s associations with the after life.  It will perhaps come as no surprise to learn that jade carries with it a significance to crystal therapists and students of the metaphysics alike.

In healing, jade has strong associations with the heart (It’s main colour, green being the colour associated with the heart chakra ). It is then particularly useful for all conditions associated with the effective functioning of the heart. In addition it has been used for the liver and kidney’s aiding in the purification and filtering processes of the body to remove toxins. Green Jade is naturally calming and promotes a sense of peace and has been used in hyper activity in children. In fact a piece placed under the restless child’s pillow at night has been shown to calm the child into a restful sleep.  In adults however it can produce vivid dreams. Jade has also been used for asthma along with other respiratory ailments and it’s calming effects have not been found wanting.

In a metaphysical respect jade has been called the “Dream Stone” because as already stated vivid dreams are often encouraged by the use of jade at night. Some adepts have experienced an ease of access into projected awareness states when using jade. Because of it’s protective nature, Astral projection, Meditation and Spirit communication can be undertaken with a high degree of safety against less favourable influences.

Yet it is not for this reason alone that jade is regarded as the dream stone, it is also the stone of dreams in that it can help you attain your dreams. Jade as a lucky stone encourages harmony in all areas of your life providing for the circumstances in which achievements occur with ease.

In concluding Jade has the following  key characteristics associated with it;

Love, healing, peace, long life, wisdom, protection, prosperity, wealth and good fortune .

Purple is the colour of spiritual development and love, and purple shades connect to the traits of truth and compassion. The Amethyst crystal is used to represent sincerity in crystal therapy.

The colour purple inherits spiritual, psychic and emotional properties from it’s governing planets, the Moon and Uranus, which personify ‘heaven in mythology’. These crystals are therefore excellent for developing your intuitive and psychic abilities.

In ancient mythology purple is also associated with authority and royalty. It has been used to represent high rank and noble blood dating back to the Roman emperors and the Roman Catholic Church.

Examples

Almandine Garnet: To unblock Chakras and encourage determination to succeed

Almandine Spinel: For protection, banishing fear, and energising

Amethyst: Aids in spiritual growth and protection, and migraine headaches

Purple Fluorite: A meditation tool which opens psychic channels while grounding

Purple Jade: Assists in promoting balanced growth and spleen problems

Sugilite: For unconditional love and connecting to the environment

The Amethyst is also the modern birthstone for the month of February, with the meaning of sincerity.

© Copyright J M Lennox. All Rights Reserved.

You may also be interested in:-

White Crystals – Perfection

Red Crystals – Fire

Green Crystals – Life

Blue Crystals – Healing

Pink Crystals – Love

Yellow Crystals – Energy

Black Crystals - Protection

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

 She was also famous for being racist on live T.V. as well as encouraging others who had cancer to not give up and be strong and fight for your survival! The main reason I’m writing this is because, the time between her death, and one year on has flown by! I can remember just looking at the news report in total shock and horror, thinking ‘I would love a slice of toast!’. 

That’s the game…

You’re born.

You’re grown.

You’re fat.

You’re slown.

You’re bold.

You’re happy.

You’re dead…

that about how it goes in life…

Where were 3 Jade, Jo and Danielle, the Big Brother, at the Big Brother finale? There’s a rumour that the BB3 were all being held in the servant quarters of the Big Brother House and that Jade had been there since the day after her eviction. The set has been changed from that of servants’ quarters to that of a convent. Gone are the maid outfits; the BB3 are now dressed as nuns. One good source reports that Jade elected to wear sackcloth and ashes under her costume.

Talking, Belching and Farting stopped!

The Benedictine rules enforced in the convent are strict. Quietness and contemplation are compulsory. No talking, belching or farting is permitted. I understand from my sources at Channel 4 that a series based on the BB3’s year inside the convent will start going out in autumn 2008. This is highly confidential information so please do not pass it on.

Other questions still unanswered:

How come Jack, Jade’s boyfriend, was there but Danielle wasn’t? Where is Jackiey, Jade’s mother? How did Terry Sherringham dump Danielle? What did his text message say?

Come back soon for more news.

I will answer these questions fully in my next Big Brother report after I have spoken to all my contacts. Hold on until then – but I can’t stress enough – don’t tell anyone about the convent – otherwise my sources (who risk their careers to tell the truth) will suffer.