The first tier of NZ Jade carvers in the modern era were honing their skills in the early 1960’s.

Ross Crump carved his first piece of jade in the early 1970’s. The carving equipment was extremely basic back then and Ross and others designed and modified various pieces of diamond cutting equipment to suit the carving process. Carving, even today is an exercise in patience. No matter how large or small a jade carving is, the same amount of attention to detail is required and one can only work as fast as the tools will allow.

Ross is considered one of NZ top jade carvers and has won awards for his work over the years. He has always enjoyed the process of designing and carving jade.

Ross has passed his skills on over the years to more than twenty carvers, most are still in the industry. He is still teaching newcomers today. Unfortunately old age is approaching and Ross can not maintain the speed and the demands of production carving and has enlisted the help of others to help him out. Ross prefers to now carve one off pieces which can be reproduced by others.

In the early years – 60’s to 80’s - the West Coast of the South Island, the “home” of jade, was a wonderful place where anyone could fossick in the hills and rivers to find your own jade or if necessary, take out your own license over a jade bearing area.

In the new era, the local Maori tribe Ngai Tahu, have control of the resource. Ross still has reasonable supplies of NZ jade but hope that Ngai Tahu will commence commercial jade recovery shortly.

Ross like many other carvers has not limited himself to NZ jade only and has carved many other jades from around the world. See the Australian Black Jade range on our site.

If you have your own design Ross will quote and carve individual one off pieces for you.

Ross and Rose also run a luxury bed and breakfast from their home in the Marlborough Sounds. If you d like to experience breathtaking seascapes, lush verdant native bush and have the opportunity to visit Ross Crump 's workshop first hand, then book your accommodation now.