Jade Maya - The original Jade factory, museum & showroom
Jade Maya - The original Jade factory, museum & showroom
Jade Maya - The original Jade factory, museum & showroom
4
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Our company has evolved as a leader in reintroducing Maya jade to the world through the discovery, mining and working of Guatemala's fine jadeite jade. Guatemala shares with Myanmar (formerly Burma) the distinction of being one of the world's major sources of this fine stone. Jades S.A., now Jade Maya, made the decision to re-establish a jade carving industry in Guatemala and opened its doors in the 1970's and remains the largest jade operation in Central and South America. Jade Maya is a totally integrated jade company founded in 1974 by archaeologist Mary Lou Rindinger and her husband Jay Ridinger. We mine fine jadeite jade which is found mainly in Guatemala and Burma, but valued throughout the world. The source discovered and used by Jade Maya, are the same used by the Ancient Maya people of Mesoamerica. The jade is cut and polished in our factory by native Guatemalan workers who are recovering and preserving the carving traditions of their ancestors. The raw jade is transformed into pre-Columbian style museum quality replicas and exquisite handmade unique fine fashion jewelry. All finished products go directly into our showroom, wisely avoiding the middleman and providing a superior product at a superior price. Jade Maya presently has eight shops in Guatemala, our main showroom and factory is located at 4a. Calle Oriente No. 34, Antigua Guatemala, Central America.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
243 reviews
Excellent
108
Very good
85
Average
40
Poor
3
Terrible
7
D-Leader
Waynesboro, VA202 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This was a surprise and a real treat. When you enter you see beautiful Jade products, then you see the factory area where workers are crafting the amazing jade products. The showroom is lovely and very accessible. While looking around guests are offered small samples of Guatemalan coffee. The staff is very helpful and friendly, but not "pushy". Prices were quite reasonable. Thee were some other sellers in the factory with their hand-made crafts. We bought a beautiful nativity at a verry inexpensive price. In all, it was a great experience.
Written 13 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff K
Pittsburgh, PA1,897 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
We stopped here has part of a private tour of Antigua. I’m always skeptical of these types of places but I learned a lot at this one.
A museum employee gave us a 15 minute overview of jade and how it is processed. This was the highlight of our visit and it was very informative.
We then walked by a room where they were working on jade, followed by the obligatory visit to the retail store. We didn’t spend much time in the retail store and they didn’t try to pressure us in to buying anything.
Overall, we found the museum worthwhile and we’re glad we stopped.
A museum employee gave us a 15 minute overview of jade and how it is processed. This was the highlight of our visit and it was very informative.
We then walked by a room where they were working on jade, followed by the obligatory visit to the retail store. We didn’t spend much time in the retail store and they didn’t try to pressure us in to buying anything.
Overall, we found the museum worthwhile and we’re glad we stopped.
Written 21 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JB81ontheroad
Halifax Regional Municipality, Canada370 contributions
Dec 2022
We were brought to Jade Maya as part of an organized tour. After being given a three minute talk (with no time for questions), we were brought immediately to the gift shop - no opportunity to visit the factory or museum. We felt like walking dollar signs. Very disappointing.
Written 1 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth K
Saipan, Mariana Islands73 contributions
Jul 2022 • Solo
This was part of a walking tour I took through the city. It was a little bit commercial but the short presentation about Jade was awfully interesting. Did get an opportunity to see the various kinds of Jade and how it is cut and polished. Also learned a little bit about how it's different from the Jade in China and Myanmar, both countries I have visited. I don't know how good the quality was but the pieces were beautiful. I bought a necklace and a bracelet both of which were shortened and the price discounted appropriately while I waited for about 10 minutes. A nice opportunity to get your jewelry the length you want.
Written 1 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr. Tim
Marana, AZ5,139 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Jade Maya was founded in the 70s and there are quite a few outlets in Guatemala, but the factory and main showroom are in Antigua, Guatemala. We visited the factory, showroom and small museum as part of our Blue Planet Tour an excursion organized by our cruise ship the Holland America MS Rotterdam. I’m not really a jewelry person, but I really enjoyed the tour and watching the craftsmen cut and polish the Jade. If you’re in the area there are many beautiful places to visit in Antigua, lots of great food and I’d include Jade Maya for a fun interesting tour and shopping.
Written 26 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rogerw109
Market Weighton, UK178 contributions
Feb 2020
We visited as part of our organised tour of Antigua. We were introduced to Pamela who gave us a wonderful insight into where Jade us found around the world and how it is worked by the Maya people and used in their ceremonies. Very interesting and informative. Good displays of Maya art. Terrific place to visit.
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bunty8
United Kingdom600 contributions
Jan 2020
Must visit this museum/workshop and shop in central Antigua. We were given an introductory talk and given a gift of a 'worry doll' each on entry. It was short but informative. You can watch the jade being cut in the workshop and go on into the shop which has jewellery in all price ranges.
There is also a small museum, the lady there was very helpful, it was very quiet but worth visiting, most people were taking advantage of the free WIFI.
There is also a small museum, the lady there was very helpful, it was very quiet but worth visiting, most people were taking advantage of the free WIFI.
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin J
Newport, UK455 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Great place to visit. Very informative, introductory chat and so much to see. There are the cutters who you can watch for ages and the finished jewellery which you can purchase. There is food and drink here as well as toilets. A definite must if you are visiting this amazing town.
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SAB5859
Banff, UK4,389 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Had a nice visit here when visiting Antiqua on a tour. Good brief talk given on the history of Jade in Guatemala. Some fantastic Jade jewellery on sale.
Worth a visit.
Worth a visit.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheryl T
Mahwah, NJ874 contributions
Dec 2019
I really got an education coming here. First there is a difference between Jade form Guatemala and jade from China. Guatemalan jade has a higher mohs number. There are many colors and the newest and rarest color is lavender jade. If you want to control cost you can get the jewelry in sterling silver instead of gold. I saw a couple of pair of earrings with great differences in price from $30 to $3000 all based on the quality of the stones.
Written 30 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marilyn P
Metro Manila, Philippines5 contributions
I bought Jade pendants for Oct. and Nov. birthday celebrants, but the packages are together and there is no date specified as to which pendant is for each month; one is labelled "Jaguar", and the other is "Hummingbird", which is which?
Linda C
Moorpark, CA1,068 contributions
I saw a Mayan calendar that listed Nov. 19- Dec. 9 as Jaguar. Sorry this is so late; we were on a 28 day cruise without Internet when this was posted. Hope it helps.
Rose F
Mason, OH112 contributions
Is US currency accepted in the museum?
amomsreviews
Pennington, NJ10 contributions
Yes. They also accept credit cards.
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