Jade Mining
At Jade Maya, we take pride in redefining the landscape of jade mining in Guatemala through our unwavering commitment to sustainability and fair trade practices. Our mission extends beyond mere extraction – we are dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of our land, empowering local communities, and offering ethically sourced, breathtaking jade products to the world.
Our approach to jade mining harmonizes with the delicate ecosystems that surround us. We implement techniques that minimize our environmental footprint, reduce waste generation, and optimize resource utilization. Through responsible exploration and meticulous planning, we ensure that our operations have the least possible impact on the natural environment.
Our jade mining operation and all our jade products are in compliance with international trade rules. Our products are considered fair trade products because our production of jade doesn’t cause misery, hunger, poverty, deaths nor disease. Our methods do not cause environmental destruction nor human suffering, pollution of rivers or deforestation. Fair Trade regulations have already banned global marketing of Burmese Jade due to human rights and environmental atrocities. Our vision is to save Guatemalan jade for future generations.
The State of Jade today
In 2010, Mary Louise Johnson Ridinger founded an American 501-3 non-profit organization, The Maya Conservancy and Asociación Conservación Maya Asocoma in Guatemala. The purpose of the associations is to preserve and protect Mayan and pre-Mayan archaeological sites throughout Mesoamerica.
The Maya Conservancy provides educational guidance and financial assistance to private and government agencies in Mesoamerican countries to assist in the preservation and protection of sites of historical and cultural importance. The assistance is also to aid in the preservation of Maya and for the preservation of Mayan culture and tradition. www.themayaconservancy.org
Jade History
The Green Wave
In 2019, the association The Green Wave was founded to address problems caused by climate change. Our vision is to work with communities in Guatemala to plan events and projects; as well as to raise financial resources in order to address community problems and climate change effects.
By addressing health, education and employment, and by using scientific technology, the aim is to reduce the migration of Guatemalans to other countries. With a science-based approach we can strengthen the capacity of Guatemalans to address climate-induced problems.
Jade Store
JADE MAYA is a totally integrated jade company founded in 1974 by archaeologist Mary Lou Ridinger and her husband Jay Ridinger. We mine fine jadeite jade, which is found mainly in Guatemala and Burma, but valued throughout the world.
The sources discovered and used by JADE MAYA are the same used by the Maya people of Mesoamerica. The jade is cut and polished in our factory by local Guatemalan artisans who follow the carving traditions of their ancestors.
