Ma Rui: The luxury jade gemstone sculptor

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It was not until Ma Rui invented his own “Yin and Yang”, or dark and bright, carving method did the public realize that jade can also be finely sculpted as luxury pieces of jewelry.

Ma Rui, the founder of MASTER MA and jade jewelry sculptor, started his art design and sculpturing of most famous jade - Hetian Jade since 2004.

Jade is loosely understood in China as the collective name for most precious stones and has long been considered as objects of pure decoration.

Though jade carving constitutes an important part of Chinese arts and crafts, not many thought as Ma did to turn it into a piece of jewelry. To many, wearing carved jade with a string hang up either on their necks or wrists is for good meanings.

Ma Rui is doing a jade carving. /Photo courtesy of Ma Rui.

But for Ma, jade is more than that. Unlike traditional jade craftsman’s old school style just featuring everyday objects as the way they naturally are, Ma gives jade the new meaning –making each piece of jade a unique and exquisite artwork that can be easily worn according to its luster and material.

Ma Rui makes his own unique jewelry design favors by combining western jewelry such as colored diamonds with Chinese jewelry like jade and porcelain. He also adds Chinese traditional elements into western jewelry design ideas, turning Chinese ink painting, jade carving and other means of expression, and the Chinese taste into western jewelry designs.

Ma Rui's first jade piece "Magnolia Blossoms." /Photo courtesy of Ma Rui.

Ma Rui’s design concept has quickly been appreciated by the public and gained international recognition. His first piece of carved art jewelry, "Magnolia Blossoms," a Gold inlaid jade carved collar, was invited to attend the “Baselworld” – the most important watch and jewelry fair in the world. His artworks then made frequent exposure to major fashion magazines including “Bazaar Jewelry,” “Dreams.”

Photo courtesy of Ma Rui.

“Many people think that I have brought jade carving into jewelry. But in fact, from my perspective, I extended a new branch and category for jade carving. I am not making minor improvements and contribution to Western jewelry. Instead, I am using another way, another feeling to express (myself),” Ma Rui said.