Antigua Shopping

  1. El Reino del Jade

    Several Antigua shops specialize in jade, including El Reino del Jade. To discern quality jade, look for translucency, purity, intensity of color and absence of flaws - and ask if you can scratch the stone with a pocket knife: if it scratches, it's not true jadeite but an inferior stone. Ask about prices at a few places before making any purchase.

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  2. Jades SA

    Jades SA has stores dotted throughout the city. Jades SA's jade comes from a rediscovered ancient Mayan jade mine in Guatemala's Motagua valley. You should ask about and compare prices before making any purchase. You can visit the workshops at the 4a Calle Oriente 34 branch.

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  3. Joyería del Ángel

    This shop has exquisite pieces of imaginative, up- to-the-minute exotic jewelry using shells, semiprecious stones, bone and classy clasps. Many pieces are large and flamboyant; others are daintier with unusual combinations like jade and rose garnets. Some pieces are moderately priced but on the whole this place is quite expensive.

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  4. La Casa del Jade

    You can visit the workshops in the rear of the showrooms here. To discern quality jade, look for translucency, purity and intensity of color and absence of flaws - and ask if you can scratch the stone with a pocket knife: if it scratches, it's not true jadeite but an inferior stone. Ask about prices at a few places before making any purchase.

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