Just as the beauty of spring is emerging with all its glorious greens and pastels, so have the gorgeous colors of jade bloomed. Harper’s Bazaar has even coined a new phrase for these delicious colors – ‘Saturated Sorbet’s’.

Some of the first trend makers to display these colors that the fashion world has embraced are of course celebrities. If you have watched any awards shows this spring season there is an undeniable trend emerging. Not just the greens and pastels of fashion, but fine fashion jewelry is a terrific indication of a strong color and style trend – and green jade drop earrings are the big winner.

We must begin with the Academy Awards. According to The American Gem Trade Association’s EPrism Newsletter celebrities are ‘Green With Envy’ in terms of their fine jewelry choices for the occasion. Dramatic emerald and green jade drop earrings were the hottest look. The article goes on to say “Jade was also popular at Oscar satellite parties.”

Stars like Reese Witherspoon, Emma Stone and Julianna Margulies have been enjoying their green jade drop earrings. In fact, Julianna Margulies is featured in the March 2012 issue of In Style Magazine, where she is pictured adorned in a pair of large beautifully carved green drop earrings complimenting her mauve dress at the Golden Globe Awards. Then she appears again with five other stars in the April 2012 issue of In Style in a mini-article entitled ‘Green Lanterns’. These ‘Green Lanterns’  of course referring to glowing green stone drop earrings of emeralds and jade. “Of all the precious colored gemstones – from rubies ans sapphires to yellow and pink diamonds – none are seen as frequently as emeralds or…jade on Hollywood’s loveliest lobes.”

There is only one definitive source for jade jewelry- Mason-Kay Jade of course. All the beautiful green jade drop earrings shown are Mason-Kay Jade designs. Mason-Kay’s extensive selection of loose jade stones are always a hot choice for fine jewelry designers across the globe. For better green earrings jade is the obvious choice for original style, trend and color.

In the twelve year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac the fifth symbol is the Dragon. 2012 is the Year of the Dragon.  Those born in the following years were born under the Year of the Dragon are: 1916, 1928, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024. The dragon is the only mythical creature in the Chinese Zodiac and is the most powerful.

The dragon is said to be able to change form at will; this is one reason why it has many different representations in jade carvings. Wearing a carved jadeite jade dragon can be an affirmation to ones own journey of transformation.

Five Fun Dragon Facts:

1.The Dragon is the ultimate symbol of extreme good fortune.

2. The dragon of the Chinese Zodiac is not what we typically expect of dragons. It is not the monster fire breather of medieval design, but a emblem of strength and goodness.

3. There are three types of dragon; one that lives in the sky, the sea and the mountains. It is the dragon of the heavens that is the most powerful and authentic.

4. The standard dragon has 4 claws, but the dragon that symbolizes royalty and the emperors  has 5 claws called the imperial dragon.

5. The Dragon symbolizes The Yang Principle – the masculine, energetic and positive. The depiction of the Dragon (Yang Principle) and Phoenix (Yin Principle) together remain a strong symbol of fidelity and marriage.

Please click here for more information about:
- Year of the Dragon
- More Jade Dragon Jewelry
- The Chinese Zodiac Signs
- Dragon Symbolism
- Chinese Art Symbols

Wishing you all the good fortune and good luck for the coming year.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Looking for the perfect unique gift idea this holiday season? Baffled by someone who has everything, who has a unique style all their own, who always seems to find a thoughtful and interesting gift for you? Struggle no more.

This Continuous Green and Water Jadeite Jade ring above is a perfect example of a unique jewelry gift. This beautiful green jade carved flower atop a solid water jade ring with diamond center is a very trendy and popular style (size 8 only).

Jade purse charms are one of the most fabulous jade gifts. Not sure of her taste and size, don’t want to overspend – these jade charms can been worn on purses & belt loops and hung from desk lamps, rear view mirrors, etc. Numerous styles and jade carving combinations to choose from, you will find one that is perfect. Not sure where to start, try looking up her Chinese Zodiac sign here, then find a carving to match. Shown to the right, a jade purse charm with jade bead accents and a carved green jade rabbit – #4 on the Chinese Zodiac Sign Chart.

This green jade ‘pi’ or disc pendant shown to the left, is a staple for any jade jewelry lover, whether male of female. Perfect for wear on a chain of any metal color a or a silk or leather cord necklace. These disc pendants are available in many jade colors. To the right is our very popular carved black jade disc pendant on an adjustable black silk cord necklace with jade bead accents.

Also for him – these fine black jade round cuff links are perfect. Great for any formal occasion. Black in general is a safe choice as it can accompany any outfit and style. Flower rings in general have been a hot buy this fall season. This carved black jade flower ring with pave diamond center is a popular and affordable beauty.

Bangles, bangles, bangles. No matter the material bangles are extremely hot. The beauty of a jade bangle its intense durability for a piece of fine jewelry. This carved black jade bangle is again an ideal choice for a gift. Also, this bangle can be worn with other bangles of any material – an absolute winner to compliment gold and silver bangles.

If you have a true jade lover and have the funds for finer pieces these two are fabulous examples. The ring to the left is a new designer style exhibiting a fine green jadeite jade marquis stone set in a beautiful 18k white gold mounting with diamonds. The pin/pendant shown to your left is the ultimate unique  jade gift. This mermaid’s scales are carved green jadeite jade. She is adorned with pave diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and rock crystal top.

Last, but never least, are jadeite statuary. Mason-Kay Jade has an extensive selection of jade statuary. The Chinese take their carvings very seriously and are very specific about the significance of the art symbols used. Click here to see a list of some of the most popular and beautiful symbols used to help you choose just the carving for a statuary or pendant.

Like me, I know many of you have been waiting for the new season of TLC’s ‘What Not To Wear’. Ready to route for fashion experts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly as they coax, cajole and eventually convince the fashion-clueless into a complete fashion transformation.

This season is especially sweet as one of our jewelry pieces appears in an episode. In the latest episode of ”What Not To Wear’, Stacy wears a beautiful lavender jade Mason Kay ring. It is the perfect ring to accompany her subtle ensemble as it brings an elegant and sweet lavender color and shine. Her dress and accessories are by Helmut Lang, Ann Taylor and BCBGeneration.

This ring has a simple yet refined and heavy 14k yellow gold design. The large lavender jadeite jade oval stone is set in a heavy mounting with amethyst trilliant side stones (Style #228757). The ring feels luxurious and important. Stacy, you wore it well.

As usual The Great Stacy is right on. According to the 2011 Fall Pantone Color Report, the color phlox or purple is very trendy this fall especially paired with warmer colors like camel. Uh, mmm, Stacy is wearing a grayish color dress with a camel color belt and shoes AND a lavender/purple jade ring. Right on.

Lavender Jade, Green Jade, Ice Jade and Black Jade are are all hot this season here in the U.S. and in Asia. These jade colors all fit very well into this and most fashion seasons. The popularity of jade jewelry has been on the increase for some time. Its natural, organic and earthy qualities blend well into a universal feeling that our world is finally learning to lean towards the true, the real and the genuine.

A genuine and smart jewelry investment is natural, untreated Jadeite jade. The East has known that for hundreds of years. It is a great investment for three reasons. Its value continues to increase and its future value is strong due to the Chinese love of the stone. Second, jade is one the most durable gemstones in the world, making it an investment that is acceptable to wear and enjoy. And last, jade never goes out of style. Just ask Stacy.

Yet another fashion season is upon us and black is a winner again. Two predominant colors  seem to have prevailed this fall 2011 season- jewel green and fabulous and familiar black.

Even though black is a usual star and an essential in the fashion world, this fall season black is promoted to accessory star. On the runway black is an accent instead of a staple. Strong yet warm colors are dominant with black making a cameo appearance. Designers from Prada, Narciso Rodriguez, DKNY to Chloe have incorporated black  in their designs, but black is the guest star and not the main event.

When black plays this softer and lighter starring role as an accessory, fine jewelry wins. Fine jewelry featuring black stones are extremely hot this season. Unfortunately some consumers believe that onyx is their only choice of black stones in better jewelry. Worse yet onyx is merely a semi-precious stone that is quite fragile and average. Also most ‘black onyx’ is treated and enhanced. Many do not realize that black jade is the ideal alternative.

First of all jade is extremely durable. It is this quality of  hardness and durability that has assisted in defining jade as a gem. Fine and better jewelry with black stones is one of the most versatile jewelry styles; worn to work and off to play. For that kind of everyday wear in conjunction with the value of better to fine fashion jewelry consumers should insist on quality and durability. There is no other choice than black jade.

Mason-Kay‘s designers have developed a new line dedicated to the beauty of black jade – The Midnight Jade Collection. To the touch, black jade is a rich and sumptuous stone. It also feels wonderful against the skin. Just a few of the designs from this fabulous and successful new collection are shown in this post. Shown at the top, drop earrings featuring black jade ‘rings’ with 14k white gold and diamonds. Then a new black jade cocktail ring that has received much attention for its large and luxurious black jade oval stone set in a micro-set diamond semi bezel.

Next, a jade must. Bangle bracelets are one of the hottest and lasting trends we have seen in years. However, the bangle trend has endured for hundreds of years in China. That valuable quality of durability lends this exquisite stone to shapes and carvings like no other gem. The only other bangle bracelets made from natural materials you can find ever are wood, metals and shell. Jade bangles are revered and treasured. Pictured above is a 14k yellow gold fluted hinged black jade cylindrical bangle and to the left a  solid black jade half round carved cuff bangle. Mason-Kay offers many different bangle designs.

The black jade bead necklace featured to the left is a beautiful long strand of 10mm beads with a 14k white gold ‘Mason-Kay‘ clasp. Black jade beads are a must for any jewelry collection. A standard that feels great to wear and is always appropriate. These days with the necklace layering fad as strong as it is, a strand of black jade beads is the perfect compliment to gold and silver chains and because of its organic nature it also accompanies silk & hemp cord, wood, and all other natural materials well.

Mason-Kay‘s newest designs from the Black Jade Midnight Collection are unique and distinctive. This black jade carved flower ring with a micro-set diamond center and the black jade circle pendant shown here to the right with an inner micro-set diamond circle are perfect examples of fresh and trendy designs that are making a splash in the fashion jewelry world and examples of how powerful and important black jade jewelry is this fall 2011 season.