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Jade Maya, treasure of guatemalans

The archeologist Mary Lou Ridinger and her husband Jay Ridinger,  during 41 years, have developed a reliable jade industry in Guatemala, conserving the essence and respect for the ancient heritage of the Mayan Culture.

Jade and cocoa were the currency of trade for 3000 years that ended with the arrival of the Spanish. “For me Jade is sacred and should be a source of pride for Guatemalans,” said Mary Lou, founder of the Company Jade Maya, who tells of how, with her spouse, she discovered a large source of fine jadeite in Guatemala in 1974, which was when they made a very important decision. Instead of taking this precious stone and bringing it to Asia where the market is more appealing, the Ridinger couple preferred to create a Jade industry in Guatemala to create work for Guatemalans.

The North American writer Gerard Helferich wrote a book entitled Stone of Kings: In Search of the Lost Jade of the Maya, where he relates in detail a modern and precise vision about this fascinating history. Many articles have been published on Guatemalan jade and the discoveries of the Ridinger family. Some of the prominent media attention they have received includes reports from: National Geographic, CNN iReport, New York Times, Lapidary Journal, and the Discovery Channel among others.

Currently they have 8 national and international museums to inform the public of the importance of jade, as well as eleven stores that sell various designs made with Guatemalan Jadeite, a very precious and appreciated rock by the ancient Mayans. (Guatemala, México, Honduras)

4a. Calle Oriente No. 34, Antigua Guatemala
www.jademaya.com – gerencia@jademaya.com
Tel/Phone: (502) – 7931 2400

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