Nagan Raya Develops Local Jade into High‑Value Handicrafts

RRI.CO.ID, Suka Makmue - The Nagan Raya Regency Administration in Aceh Province is stepping up promotion of its signature jade after the product secured Intellectual Property Rights (HKI). Promotion efforts include participation in national events and interregional cooperation to position Nagan Raya jade as a high‑value economic commodity and a local pride icon.

Nagan Raya Deputy Regent, Raja Sayang, said Nagan Raya’s jade is a regional natural asset that should be optimally utilized to drive community economic growth.

“We continue to promote Nagan Raya’s distinctive jade. This natural wealth must be well managed, so it becomes better known, both nationally and internationally,” said Raja Sayang in Suka Makmue, Nagan Raya, Aceh, on Thursday, 2 July 2026.

He noted that Nagan Raya jade has taken part in gemstone contests in several regions as part of a strategy to broaden awareness among the public and gemstone enthusiasts. The jade recently won recognition at a gemstone contest in Bandung, West Java, after earlier appearing in a similar contest in Medan, North Sumatra.

“Participation in these contests is a concrete step to introduce Nagan Raya jade and demonstrate that its quality can compete with gemstones from other parts of Indonesia,” he said, as quoted by infopublik.id.

Raja Sayang said Nagan Raya is known as a producer of high‑quality jade. That potential should be developed through innovation and processing, so the material is not sold only as raw stone.

“Jade needs to be processed into high‑value handicraft products, so its economic benefits reach more people,” he said.

Nagan Raya jade can be crafted into a variety of products, such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, nameplates, ceremonial staffs, souvenirs, and other handicrafts.

Raja Sayang urged local entrepreneurs and artisans to keep innovating so jade and Nagan Raya’s signature crafts gain wider recognition. As part of promotional efforts, he presented jade nameplates and bracelets to Bandung’s Deputy Regent, Ali Syakieb, during a working visit to West Java the previous week.

The move is expected to introduce Nagan Raya jade to other regions and open opportunities for collaboration in developing the handicraft industry.

During the trip, Raja Sayang also visited green stone craftsmen in Cikembar Subdistrict, Sukabumi Regency, West Java. He spoke with a craftsman named Mulyono and observed processing stages from cutting and shaping to finishing.

According to Raja Sayang, that experience can serve as a reference for the Nagan Raya Administration in promoting local jade development to deliver greater benefits for community welfare. ***