Chinese bead lore is copious, and might take days or weeks to tell....

When in Beijing, visit Liu Li Chong (street) where the "antiquities" market is; and also Hung Chow market—a sort of shopping-mall-in-a-building. I understand this has changed emphasis recently. When I was there, a whole floor was devoted to beads of all sorts. I think it may be pearl costume jewelry now. But anyway, there will be some beads at this place.

Have fun. Jamey

I think I went to the great square seven story warehouse/showhouse place last time I was there, with the fresh fish market in the basement, three floors of millions of freshwater pearls, and a couple of floors of 'antiques' and crafts. I wasn't then alert to bead collecting, but this time will be a-hunting.

Last time I was there there were so many sales-girls swotting up on English, and they pounced on me with glee for some practice. Lovely friendly people studying hard to put tourists at ease for the Olympics.

I'll take my trusty digital camera and hope to include you All here on bead-related adventures.

I love that image! It's really so typical. But out on the street did you encounter the "art students" who wanted to practice their English, take you to their school display gallery.....and maybe sell you a few originals? They are known in Beijing. I ran into them in Shanghai but only later learned that it's pleasant sort of scam/sales technique.

On one of my first trips, sometime in the '90's we were walking thru the city park in Guangzhou. An older man approached us just to practice English. He'd been in the merchant marine, visited Seattle and was delighted to use his rusty English. I tried to use my marginal Mandarin but he said, NO, need to keep up his English. Come to think of it, he may have only spoken Cantonese and some English.

Thanks for reminding me.... I head back next week. I'll be sure to post some pictures, too.

Russ Nobbs (www.rings-things.com - Spokane, WA - USA)

I forgot to mention, when I was in Beijing, we had a very good time at the local flea market on the weekend. It's in a disagreeable location (at that time) past something like an automobile graveland (an industrial junkyard), but it was very worthwhile to pass through. I found some of the best real amber beads I acquired on that trip, there.

Jamey

can you show us some amber beads that you acquired in ±±¾©?

and Hungchow market? seems I don't know what it is ///

Hi Barbra

If you are in beijing during the Chinese national holiday 10.1 -10.7 , I would like to introduce you to a salon of chinese tradional jade ware collectors where you could met some best chinese ancient beads collectors.

R.M.

(I've been offline as it is rainy season in Manila which inevitably makes the internet connections conk out).

I'm leaving tomorrow for 14 days. Husband is delivering some lectures, and we're staying in uni accomodation in XiCheng area.

I'll give my dear husband a lovely big breakfast and kiss him byee every morning and then the rest of the day is for exploration.

Exciting!