Something extraordinary is about to unfold. For years, collectors and admirers of authentic Guatemalan jade have sought a space to connect, learn, and discover—a place where the ancient stories of these remarkable gemstones come alive. That space is finally here.
We're thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of Friends of Yax Tun, a private Facebook community designed exclusively for collectors, curators, and enthusiasts of authentic Guatemalan jade and unique minerals from around the world.
Why "Yax Tun"?
The name carries deep significance. In the ancient Mayan language, "yax tun" translates to "first stone" or "green stone"—the term the Maya used to describe jade, which they valued more highly than gold. To the Maya, jade represented life, fertility, and power. It adorned royalty, filled burial chambers, and served as currency in sacred rituals.
This reverence wasn't misplaced. Guatemalan jadeite is among the rarest gemstones on Earth, found in only a handful of locations worldwide. After the fall of the Mayan civilization, the source of this precious stone was lost for nearly 500 years, only to be rediscovered in the 1970s in the remote Motagua River valley of Guatemala.
What Makes Guatemalan Jade So Special?
Not all jade is created equal. While nephrite jade is found in many locations, true jadeite—the variety prized by collectors—exists in very few places on Earth. Guatemalan jadeite stands apart for several remarkable reasons.
First, its color range is extraordinary. From the coveted imperial green to rare blues, lavenders, and even blacks, Guatemalan jadeite displays a spectrum unmatched by most other sources. The finest imperial green jadeite rivals the most precious emeralds in depth and luminosity.
Second, the geological conditions that created it are exceptional. Guatemalan jadeite formed under extreme pressure along a fault zone where tectonic plates collided millions of years ago. This violent geological history produced jadeite of remarkable density and translucency.
Third, each piece carries cultural weight. When you hold Guatemalan jade, you're connected to a lineage that spans millennia—from ancient Mayan kings to modern artisans who've revived traditional carving techniques passed down through generations.
A Circle Built on Shared Passion
Friends of Yax Tun is more than a group—it's a collector's circle where knowledge, discovery, and access converge. Whether you're drawn to the deep green hues of imperial jadeite, the geological wonder of rare minerals, or the cultural heritage embedded in every piece, this community welcomes you.
Inside the group, you'll join live streams and presentations where we share the stories behind each find, reveal new arrivals fresh from our expeditions, and offer insights into the geology, history, and artistry that make these pieces so captivating.
What the Community Offers
Friends of Yax Tun is built around connection, education, and access. Members aren't just buying pieces—they're joining a journey of discovery that spans continents, cultures, and millions of years of geological history.
What You'll Receive as a Member
- Live Streamed Presentations and Q&A with Our Team — Join interactive sessions where we explore newly sourced pieces, discuss their geological origins, share cultural context, and answer your questions in real time
- First Access to New Pieces and Capsule Collections — Be the first to see and acquire rare finds before they're available to the public, including limited-edition capsule collections curated around specific themes or origins
- Exclusive Member Pricing and Early-Bird Product Launches — Enjoy special pricing reserved exclusively for community members, plus early access to product launches at preferential rates
- Behind-the-Scenes Stories, Sourcing Notes, and Care Tips — Follow along on our expeditions from remote Guatemalan mines to international mineral shows, learn proper care techniques for your collection, and discover the stories that make each piece unique
- A Respectful Community of Fellow Collectors and Enthusiasts — Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for authentic minerals, exchange knowledge, celebrate finds, and build lasting relationships within a curated, respectful space
Why Join a Private Collector's Community?
In an age of mass production and synthetic alternatives, authentic collecting requires knowledge, access, and trust. Friends of Yax Tun addresses all three.
Knowledge: Understanding what makes a piece valuable—its geological formation, cultural significance, quality indicators, and provenance—transforms collecting from accumulation into curation. Our live presentations and educational content provide the context that turns beautiful objects into meaningful treasures.
Access: The finest pieces rarely make it to public marketplaces. They're acquired by collectors who have relationships with sources, who understand what to look for, and who act quickly when opportunities arise. Community membership puts you in that inner circle.
Trust: The gemstone and mineral market is filled with treatments, synthetics, and misrepresentations. When you acquire pieces through Friends of Yax Tun, you're backed by our commitment to authenticity, transparency, and ethical sourcing.
Beyond Jade: A World of Rare Minerals
While Guatemalan jadeite anchors our passion, Friends of Yax Tun celebrates unique minerals from around the globe. From the oceanic blues of Dominican larimar to the storied turquoise of the American Southwest, from fossilized dinosaur bone to volcanic minerals, each piece is selected for its geological interest, aesthetic appeal, and the story it carries.
Members will discover minerals they've never encountered, learn about geological phenomena that created them, and build collections that span continents and eras.
How to Join
Friends of Yax Tun will be launching soon. To be among the first to receive an invitation, make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter and following us on social media. We'll be sharing the official launch date and access details in the coming weeks.
This is your invitation to step inside a world where geology meets artistry, where provenance matters, and where every piece tells a story worth sharing.
Welcome to Friends of Yax Tun—where collectors become curators, and curiosity becomes community.
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