Jade carving workshop in Antigua: design and carve your own piece

Shape your own jade jewel under expert guidance and bring home a story

A two-hour jade carving workshop in Antigua where you design and carve your own piece of jade under expert guidance, then take it home as a necklace, bracelet or keychain. All tools, machines and safety gear are provided; the workshop includes a guided tour of the Mesoamerican Museum of Jade and your choice of jade in different colors, sizes and shapes. Children from age 7 are welcome, and the class runs in English or Spanish.

The Experience

You arrive with a free afternoon in Antigua and leave with a piece you carved yourself. The two-hour workshop starts with your jade carver instructor explaining the ancestral techniques—why jade has mattered to Guatemala and its ancestors, and how the stone connects to life and love. Then you choose from a range of jade pieces in different colors and sizes, and begin designing your own work.

The carving happens at the workshop with all equipment and machines provided, plus personal protection gear. Your hands do the cutting and shaping while the expert guides you through each step. By the end, you have a finished piece ready to wear as a necklace, bracelet or keychain—something you made, not something you bought.

After the carving, you walk through the Mesoamerican Museum of Jade with a guide, seeing the stone's place in the region's history and culture. You leave with your finished work and a clearer sense of why jade remains Guatemala's national gemstone.

What’s included

• All carving tools, machines and personal protection equipment.
• your choice of jade stone in different colors, sizes and shapes.
• expert instruction from a jade carver.
• a guided tour of the Mesoamerican Museum of Jade.
• your finished piece to take home.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Casa del Jade

Is this one for you?Book this workshop if you want a hands-on way to learn a Guatemalan craft and leave with something you made yourself—the expert instruction and all equipment mean you don't need any carving experience to walk away with a finished piece.

Traveler reviews

4.94★★★★★★★★★★

456 verified traveler reviews

5 ★436

4 ★15

3 ★2

2 ★2

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What exactly do I carve during the two hours?

You design and carve your own piece of jade into a finished necklace, bracelet or keychain. You choose the jade from a selection of different colors, sizes and shapes, then cut and shape it under your instructor's guidance using the workshop's machines and tools.

Do I need any carving experience to join?

No experience is necessary. The workshop is designed for beginners, and your jade carver instructor guides you through the ancestral techniques step by step. Children from age 7 can participate.

What's included in the price?

All carving equipment, machines, personal protection gear, your choice of jade stone, and a guided tour of the Mesoamerican Museum of Jade are included. You take your finished piece home with you.

Is the workshop offered in English?

Yes, the workshop runs in both English and Spanish. Let the operator know your language preference when you book.

Can I bring young children?

Children are welcome from age 7 and up. Infants and small children can come along in a stroller, though they won't participate in the carving itself.