Sourcing

Mason-Kay Jade to Hold Inaugural International Jade Summit

SourcingApr 04, 2025

Mason-Kay Jade to Hold Inaugural International Jade Summit

The event, which will co-locate with the Monterey Bay Jade Festival, will bring education sessions focused on jade to the United States.

Mason Kay International Jade Summit 2025 Graphic
Mason-Kay Jade’s 2025 International Jade Summit will take place on Saturday, June 14, at the same time as the Monterey Bay Jade Festival in Monterey, California.
Pacific Grove, Calif.—Mason-Kay Jade has announced its first International Jade Summit later this year in California.

The new professional jade conference will comprise a full day of education sessions tailored to jade enthusiasts and gemologists, a “first-of-its-kind” jade-focused education event for the United States, Mason-Kay Jade said.

It is slated for Saturday, June 14, in conjunction with the annual Monterey Bay Jade Festival, which will run from June 13-15 at Custom House Plaza in Monterey State Historic Park in Monterey, California.

The summit will be held at the nearby Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center.

Throughout the four sessions, a jade miner, jade discoverer, gemologist, and geologist/geophysicist will present on the two jades, Jadeite jade and Nephrite jade.

Mason-Kay Jade invites gemologists, jewelry appraisers, and retail jewelry sales staff to attend the summit and expand their knowledge of the colored gemstone and its market.

The event is also open to customers and enthusiasts.

Summit organizers encourage attendees to take time between seminars to explore the Georg Schmerholz Jade Carving Exhibition located next door to the event and to visit the more than 40 Jadeite and Nephrite jade vendors at the festival.

 Related stories will be right here … 

The summit will begin at 10 a.m. with a welcome breakfast offering networking opportunities.

The first education seminar will run from 11 a.m. to noon with Mary Lou Ridinger, an archeologist, owner of Jade Maya, and the discoverer of the Guatemalan Jadeite jade deposits, presenting on “Guatemalan Jadeite Jade.”

Lunch will be from noon to 1:30 p.m.

From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Eugene (Lou) Blanck, a geophysicist, geologist, and vice president and chief financial officer of Earth Design Inc., will present his seminar, “Nephrite Jade Formation.”

Kirk Makepeace, owner of Jade West Corp., one of the largest producers and exporters of nephrite jade in the world, and an expert in Canadian nephrite jade history, geology, and value, will present “Canadian Jade Mining” from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The day’s final educational seminar will run from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., with gemologist Jeff Mason, owner of Mason-Kay Jade and one of the nation’s leading experts in Jadeite jade testing and valuation, presenting “Natural Vs. Treated Jadeite Jade.”

Tickets to the summit include all-day access to the seminars, the welcome breakfast, and a voucher for lunch.

Admission is $60 and can be purchased through Mason-Kay Jade’s Eventbrite.

For more information on the Monterey Bay Jade Festival and the 2025 International Jade Summit, visit the festival’s website.


The Latest

Mikimoto Les Pétales Campaign Imagery and Les Pétales Necklace
CollectionsJul 08, 2025
Mikimoto’s High Jewelry Collection Turns Pearls into Petals

The “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.

National Jeweler columnist and jewelry sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsJul 08, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Jewelers Struggle With Premium Pricing

Luxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.

David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers
IndependentsJul 08, 2025
David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers Dies at 79

Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Diamond Divas Cast
TechnologyJul 08, 2025
‘Diamond Divas’ Brings the Showroom to Social Media Reality Series

It follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.

Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
SMO Golden Gala
Policies & IssuesJul 08, 2025
SMO Gold Launches New Foundation

In its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.

Stock image of container ship in port
Policies & IssuesJul 07, 2025
Higher Tariffs Set to Take Effect Aug. 1, Officials Say

The announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

David Kellie
MajorsJul 07, 2025
Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie To Step Down

Kellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.

Suspects in Glendale burglary
CrimeJul 07, 2025
7 Suspects Charged in California Jewelry Store Burglary

Police officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.

Ella Klein Internship
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2025
Applications Open for Ella Klein Internship

The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Madison Keys in Brilliant Earth campaign
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New Ambassador

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

Muse Nordstrom shop-in-shop
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry Hall

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From Yeprem

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Exterior and entryway of Boucheron’s Los Angeles Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast Flagship

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

Exterior of Marco Bicego Milan Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan Flagship

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Chrono24 Time Is Our Thing campaign image
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New Campaign

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

Counterfeit Pandora jewelry in bags and boxes
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry Network

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

Eve Goldberg, Matthew Denatale, Willie Lopez, Benjamin Goldberg
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship Program

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

Elie Hannoush
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

Claire’s store
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report Says

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Mindi Mond Spike Earrings
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot Rubies

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy