Jade Maya

Jade Maya was founded in 1974 by archaeologist Mary Lou Ridinger and her husband Jay Ridinger, who came to Guatemala to solve an archaeological problem. They wanted to know what had become of the jade sources used by the Maya and six other ancient civilizations over three thousand years. That year they rediscovered the deposits along the tectonic plate boundary that runs east to west through central Guatemala. Samples sent to the Gemological Institute of America confirmed jadeite, which is the harder and rarer of the two jades. Instead of exporting rough stone, the Ridingers chose to restart a carving industry that had been lost at the Spanish Conquest. They built a factory in September 1974 and trained descendants of the Maya to carve replicas of ancient treasures. The company now describes some 63,000 square feet of factory and showroom space with a museum. Over 300 Guatemalans earn a living from mining and carving jade, and from selling it. Everything is cut and polished in-house, from museum-quality replicas to jewellery in lavender jade and Olmec blue jade. Finished pieces go straight to the showroom at 4a Calle Oriente No. 34 in Antigua Guatemala, one of eight shops in the country. In March 1999 President Bill Clinton spent two hours in the factory and showroom, and a percentage of web sales supports scholarships through the Maya Conservancy.