La Casa del Jade, Antigua

La Casa del Jade in Antigua serves as both a unique shopping destination and a cultural museum. Founded over 40 years ago as a family-owned Christian business, it has been a pioneering entity in the Modern Jade Industry. The establishment is committed to showcasing and promoting the precious Mesoamerican cultural legacy of jade, aiming for global recognition through fair trade principles and product excellence.

The store offers an exquisite selection of the most valuable jade jewelry, embodying the celestial stone revered by the Mayans, and includes items made from silver and gold, along with other precious stones and souvenirs. Visitors are encouraged to take time to explore the adjacent Mesoamerican Jade Museum, which opened its doors in 2003. The museum proudly displays over 70 pieces representing major Mesoamerican cultures such as the Mokaya, Olmec, Maya, and Aztec. These pieces range from original sculptures to replicas, all meticulously carved by local artisans.

The word "jade" encompasses two minerals: jadeite and nephrite, classified under group VIII (inosilicates) according to the Strunz classification. Jadeite, found in places including Myanmar, Japan, Russia, and notably Guatemala, is rarer and highly prized. Nephrite, often associated with Asia, is commonly seen in carvings of Buddhas, dragons, and oriental symbols.

La Casa del Jade also offers a two-hour workshop where participants learn the ancient art of jade carving from expert carvers. This hands-on experience not only allows visitors to create their jade pieces, such as a necklace, bracelet, or keychain but also provides an immersive understanding of jade's historical significance and its associations with eternal life and love.