About Nikolai

 

How my journey began…

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1976

Every summer, for 3 months each year, we spent in Hong Kong with my Popo & Kung Kung. Learning our culture, language, legacy & enjoying my grandparents doll factory.

Through my Popo & Mom, they educated and cultivated my power of sight.

Age 12

My father took me everywhere & to meet his Master. I fell in love with the living stone, jadeite immediately. She spoke to me so clearly.

For the next 5 years I could only listen, watch & learn about how to buy the raw material. My father dressed me as a boy so I would fit in without issues in this male dominant world. I looked like a boy at that time too. Full on rice bowl haircut, wore only black. Present day, I never wear black, only when I go to Auction.

Age 15

I was able to start to carve in wood, soap stone, agate & practice my craft and technique until my Master felt I was ready to handle the living stone, jadeite

1989 | Age 17

Frustrated with my Father & Master, I decided to go to Fashion Institute to learn about design, fashion, merchandising, & marketing

Age 19

Fashion was not for me, a waste of material and seasonal what was trending. Felt like it was a waste. The living stone, jadeite was calling me. I was still practicing my carving, techniques and ideas throughout College.

Age 20

Returned back to Honolulu, Apologized to my Father & Master for my words & behavior. 1st important crossroads in my life

Worked with my mom & dad in the family business learning daily. Absorbing everything I could.

Met my dad’s good friend Bo, who taught me all about silks, dyeing and over a 100 different knots.

1992 | Age 21

Single mother, had my 1st son Adonis. 2nd important crossroads in my life. Committed myself completely in the Living stone, jadeite

Age 22

Started cold calling on Retailers throughout the world & doing 26 tradeshows a year in all continents.

Age 24

Had enough money saved to buy my first raw material at Auction in Burma. Again not in sync with my dad and master. I only had enough money to buy Black jadeite. They said not to do it. I bought my first raw material, black jadeite

1996 | Age 25

My father Wilson Tsang died of a massive heart attack at home when Mom and I were in Kauai working. 3rd important crossroads & my last.

Told my Dad I would take care of my mom, continue in his footsteps & to respect the legacy he gifted to me.

Present day

210 retailers worldwide

4 goldsmiths, 2 polishers, 2 carvers

1 crazy but the best right-hand assistant

1 sales rep

A few part-time elves

More about me…

For centuries, humankind has studied the direct relationship between their individual personal energy and the universal energy which encompasses them. Chinese culture is dedicated to the practice and understanding of how to cultivate these natural energies in order to produce balance, nourishment and LUCK.

I believe that I am an extension of this dedication.

I have examined Chinese numerology, earth elements, favorable colors, navigational / gravitational directions, and animals. Every day, week, month and year, I apply my knowledge of these practices to my own life and happily share this gift with many others.

I have trained with generational Master Carvers. I have traveled generational routes around the world to source stone / material. I have endured the rigors of top level academia in the fields of jadeite, carving, sourcing and gemstones.

I always strive to be the best I can be.

My accomplishments are both great and small, and are entirely mine. They arise from a vigilant practice of always trying to reach for the best… and then a little beyond. Being GOOD is just part of a success. Having good LUCK? Well that makes the end result just a bit sweeter. My passion for free diving led me to fishing which led me to a GOOD LUCK catch, a 190 pound yellow fin Tuna. A rare catch indeed for even those whom have fished a lifetime longer than me. It was a culmination of my knowledge of the sea, the currents, the location and LUCK!

At Jade by Nikolai, our expert training, passion, knowledge, devotion and love for the Jadeite stone defines our collection. Our collection allows us to share the Ancient Chinese methodologies of positive energy, balance, welcomed recognition and all other amazing gifts bestowed upon us by our Universe.

It is with the utmost gratitude that I share this knowledge, wisdom, insight, tradition and beautifully humble living stone.
JADEITE

Credentials and Certificates

GIA, Stone Group Laboratories, The Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association (HKJJA) certifies that our jadeite is completely natural & origin is Burmese.

Being a member of AGTA, full disclosure, code of ethics, that we sell only type A, natural burmese jadeite. This is stated on all invoice, documents & paperwork.

Since its inception in 1981, AGTA’s Membership has grown to over 1,000 Members in the United States and Canada. AGTA Members agree to the disclosure of gemstone enhancements on all commercial documents and to abide by the Association’s Code of Ethics and Principles of Fair Business Practices. Annual affirmation of the Code of Ethics, and enforcement by the AGTA, holds an AGTA Member to a stricter disclosure policy than required by the Federal Trade Commission.