English text by Minghui Wang
Pictures Courtesy of Mason-Kay
Lustrous and exquisitely carved, stunning bead drop jade earrings glow in apple green. Elegantly dangling at the bottom are three teardrop-shaped tassels, adorned with 14k gold accents. This timeless piece is part of Mason-Kay’s Designer Collection.
Founded in 1976, this family-owned business has become one of America’s most famed jade dealers. With an outstanding reputation in the industry, Mason-Kay takes pride in its unmatched quality, extensive knowledge of the gemstone, and its comprehensive jade-care services. Its inventory of natural, untreated jade is considered one of the largest in the trade.
Significance of Jade
Often seen as a symbol of nobility and virtue, jade is one of the most revered gemstones in Asia. Some say it is worth more than gold, while others regard it as simply priceless. Natural jade was believed to protect its owner and bring blessings. In ancient China, the sacred stone was thought to have spiritual qualities and was the subject of many folktales and proverbs. Among those, the philosopher Confucius praised people with invaluable virtue by saying they had jade-like qualities.
Uncompromising Source and Exceptional Quality
Though it is becoming ever more popular, jade is not yet well understood by the American general public. In addition, there is a large amount of treated jade in the market that is impregnated or dyed to achieve a “natural” look. While it is hard to differentiate between the two with the naked eye, natural jade, when compared to its treated counterparts, prevails through the test of time. For this reason, Mason-Kay deals exclusively with natural, untreated, Burmese jadeite jade, delivering pieces of the utmost value.
Mason-Kay offers a wide selection, ranging from the most expensive imperial jade to more casual pieces designed for daily wear. Green, lavender, red, yellow, black, and more—its stones come in an unparalleled variety of colors, all of which are found naturally at their source, Burma. Among the colors, green is the most sought-after, followed by lavender and ice jade. Each color is believed to hold a distinctive meaning, adding to the stone’s intrinsic value.
For a modern touch, some pieces are embellished with gold or diamonds, and sometimes both to further elevate the entire piece.
Unique Designs
Chic and luxurious, Mason-Kay’s Designer Collection is one of three jade collections, along with the Estate Collection and Classic Collection. Every piece is one-of-a-kind and exquisitely designed to complement the character of each jade stone. Lead designer and co-owner Kristina Mason explains that she begins her design process by analyzing each stone to determine “what I think its place in the world may be.” This ensures that every unique piece of jade receives an equally exceptional design.
Mason-Kay offers a wide variety of products, from necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, and pendants, to statuary and more. With both traditional and contemporary styles, there is something for every taste and occasion. Some designs pay homage to timeless classics, such as sheer bangles and “pi” pendants, while others combine more modern elements.
Bead drop jade earrings in apple green with 14k gold accents.
In addition, as jade possesses incredible durability, carvings are often done to refine a design to the minutest detail. These pieces often incorporate symbolism that inevitably adds to the intrinsic attractiveness of the jewelry. Mason-Kay boasts an extensive inventory of carved jade pieces, with designs including Chinese literary characters, art symbols, as well as animal figures. The Chinese characters for “longevity” and “good luck” are two of the most popular designs.
To modernize and further elevate a piece, it is often embellished with gold or diamonds—sometimes both. People, especially those of the younger generation, are deeply drawn to multi-elemental designer pieces; through the intricate design, they can better channel an emotional connection with their jade stone.
Unparalleled Jade Expertise
As one more deeply understands the importance of genuine jadeite jade, their appreciation for the stunning gemstone grows stronger. That is why the professionals at Mason-Kay share their expertise with consumers, offering extensive jade education services. These include authenticity testing and value assessment, as well as assistance in choosing the perfect piece. One of their most prominent resources is the renowned Colors of Jade chart. Developed at Mason-Kay, it is now constantly referred to as the go-to guide for consumers and professionals around the world.
A wide range of natural colors among Mason-Kay’s jade collections.
Visually breathtaking and intrinsically mesmerizing, in Chinese culture, jade is often used to portray the harmony between Heaven and Earth. In dynasties past, scholars were encouraged to wear jade not only as a reflection of an ideal state of mind, but also as a reminder to always uphold the virtues of jade—righteousness and honor.
