Frequently Asked Questions about Pounamu

The Māori word pounamu, also used in New Zealand English, refers to two main types of green stone valued for carving: nephrite jade, classified by Māori as kawakawa, kahurangi, īnanga, and other names depending on colour; and translucent bowenite, a type of serpentine, known as tangiwai. The collective term pounamu is preferred, as the other names in common use are misleading, such as New Zealand jade (not all pounamu is jade) and greenstone (a generic term used for unrelated stone from many countries). Pounamu is only found in New Zealand.

Jade is an international term which refers to nephrite stones which can be found in various parts of the world. Greenstone or pounamu is a word given to types of stone (which can be nephrite, bowenite or serpentine) only found in Aotearoa New Zealand.

No. Jade is an international term which refers to nephrite stones which can be found in various parts of the world. Greenstone or pounamu is a word given to types of stone (which can be nephrite, bowenite or serpentine) only found in New Zealand.

Yes. While greenstone is a term partly used to describes stone (nephrite) that’s also found in other parts of the world, Pounamu is unique to New Zealand.

We don’t believe there’s such a thing as “better” stone, because stones’ qualities and colours are unique and special to different people for different reasons. Check out our blog on the colours of pounamu to learn more about the differences in colour.

No. Despite some types of jade being quite translucent, it does not glow in the dark. 

To the untrained eye, pounamu doesn’t appear differently to other rocks. It’s often covered in a milky substance, and since it’s only found in very specific places in the South Island, it’s a rarity to find a piece. 

Technically, no. But they’re similar. Pounamu is a Māori word that refers to stones only found in New Zealand which are mainly of the nephrite variety, but also include some bowenite and serpentine. Jade is nephrite and can be found in other parts of the world too.

Pounamu is a word used to describe greenstone, the colour green, and glass bottles (which historically were all green like greenstone).

This is a question that is impossible to answer clearly! So, let us help you understand why. Unlike precious metals which can be melted down into their pure form and sold by the gram, gemstones and semi-precious gemstones like jade/greenstone cannot be. They also come in varying states of colour, density and forms which affects their overall appearance. Traditionally, some types of greenstone are considered more valuable and rarer than others but nowadays this is quite subjective. Then of course we have to factor in the artistry and time taken to carve greenstone into something someone might consider beautiful and valuable. Greenstone pendants can vary from being a few dollars to several hundred dollars. It really all depends on all the factors above.

Compared to other semi-precious gemstones and precious gemstones - no!

Generally speaking, the quality of the stone is what determines its value. This is of course subjective, but there are qualities - which can occur in many different colours of stone - that are more sought after than others. These can include density (so that it is more easily able to be carved with greater detail) and rarity (so that it looks different from other pieces of pounamu in shops

There is no market rate that can be applied to jade/greenstone across the board because there are so many factors that make the value of a piece of jade different.

Depending on where you are in the world, the colours of jade can mean different things to different people when it comes to value. In Asia, jade that is vibrant, unblemished green is generally considered to be the most valuable. In New Zealand, the darkest Kawakawa variety of pounamu was historically considered the most valuable because of its density and therefore suitability to being made into tools and taonga (treasure) for Māori.

In a word, no. Although there are likely some cases of jade/greenstone carvings being sold for more than a gold equivalent, jade is a semi-precious gemstone while gold is a precious metal.

The value of greenstone depends on many factors, but ultimately comes down to subjectivity. Unlike precious metals which can be melted down into their pure form and sold by the gram, gemstones and semi-precious gemstones like jade/greenstone cannot be. They also come in varying states of colour, density and forms which affects their overall appearance. Traditionally, some types of greenstone are considered more valuable and rarer than others but nowadays this is quite subjective. Then of course we have to factor in the artistry and time taken to carve greenstone into something someone might consider beautiful and valuable. Greenstone pendants can vary from being a few dollars to several hundred dollars. It really all depends on all the factors above.

Although there are numerous examples around of jade and greenstone when you visit shops and galleries, it is considered to be a rare stone. In fact, it is regarded as a semi-precious gemstone, and in New Zealand it is protected by the Māori iwi, Ngai Tahu.

The monetary value of greenstone depends on many factors, but ultimately comes down to subjectivity. Unlike precious metals which can be melted down into their pure form and sold by the gram, gemstones and semi-precious gemstones like jade/greenstone cannot be. They also come in varying states of colour, density and forms which affects their overall appearance. Traditionally, some types of greenstone are considered more valuable and rarer than others but nowadays this is quite subjective. Then of course we have to factor in the artistry and time taken to carve greenstone into something someone might consider beautiful and valuable. Greenstone pendants can vary from being a few dollars to several hundred dollars. It really all depends on all the factors above.

No. Jade/greenstone/pounamu is a semi-precious gemstone.

Genuine jade, greenstone and pounamu is available for sale all over the world in shops and online from various independent stone carvers. Reputable shops and stone carvers will have sourced genuine greenstone to produce their work and they will be able to tell you details about the stone, which will confirm its authenticity.

Pounamu has long been regarded as a tapu (sacred) part of Te Ao Māori (the Māori world); traditionally used for tools, trade currency and gifts, and highly regarded as taonga (treasure) - usually worn as jewellery after carved pieces had lost their efficacy as tools. Heirloom items increase in mana (prestige) as they are passed down through generations and the most valuable pieces are those that carry these rich histories within Iwi.

In a word, yes. But it is important to understand the significance of the connection that greenstone has to Aotearoa New Zealand. Read our blog about pounamu and blessings for more information.

Whether you choose to purchase a piece of greenstone for yourself or bless a piece of pounamu is entirely up to you and your own beliefs, your relationship to Te Ao Māori, or your connection to Aotearoa. Read our blog about pounamu and blessings for more information.

Whether you choose to bless a piece of pounamu is entirely up to you and your own beliefs, your relationship to Te Ao Māori, or your connection to Aotearoa. In our opinion having a piece of pounamu blessed honours the traditions and beliefs that have been passed down over time and offers a level of respect to tangata whenua (the people of the land) of Aotearoa. Some believe that it is appropriate to bless a piece of greenstone yourself, if you have a strong spiritual connection to a significant area with a natural water source. However, you must also be versed with what to say, and why you are saying it. For more information about a meaningful blessing of a piece of pounamu for you or a loved one, we encourage you to contact your local marae.

Whether you choose to bless a piece of pounamu is entirely up to you and your own beliefs, your relationship to Te Ao Māori, or your connection to Aotearoa. In our opinion having a piece of pounamu blessed honours the traditions and beliefs that have been passed down over time and offers a level of respect to tangata whenua (the people of the land) of Aotearoa. Some believe that it is appropriate to bless a piece of greenstone yourself if you have a strong spiritual connection to a significant area with a natural water source. However, you must also be versed with what to say, and why you are saying it. For more information about a meaningful blessing of a piece of pounamu for you or a loved one, we encourage you to contact your local marae.

Greenstone is technically a calcium magnesium silicate. In other words, it’s a metamorphic rock formed through intense heat and pressure. Its structure is crystal-like fibres which is why it earns its place as a semi-precious gemstone. And it is the reason that it shines and smooths when it’s polished. 

According to Māori belief, wearing pounamu (jade / greenstone) that has been gifted to you is a good luck taonga (treasure). Different shapes carry different specific meanings, which you can learn more about in our blog about carving shapes. Similarly, it is considered bad luck to wear greenstone that does not belong to you, or that you found, or that you purchased yourself without appropriate blessing by a person with a connection to Te Ao Māori.

Greenstone was traditionally used for tools, trade currency and gifts, and highly regarded as taonga (treasure) - usually worn as jewellery after carved pieces had lost their efficacy as tools. In a contemporary sense greenstone is a valuable asset to Aotearoa for its ties to history, ancestry and for its beauty when carved into pieces of jewellery. Heirloom items increase in mana (prestige) as they are passed down through generations and the most valuable pieces are those that carry these rich histories within Iwi.

Kiwis who wear greenstone are likely to have some kind of connection to Te Ao Māori (the Māori world). Pounamu has long been regarded as a tapu (sacred) part of Te Ao Māori (the Māori world); traditionally used for tools, trade currency and gifts, and highly regarded as taonga (treasure) - usually worn as jewellery after carved pieces had lost their efficacy as tools. Heirloom items increase in mana (prestige) as they are passed down through generations and the most valuable pieces are those that carry these rich histories within Iwi.

It is generally considered that wearing pounamu all the time is the best way to take care of it. Your natural body oil offers a material to polish the outside of pounamu so it can look its best. Washing pounamu in water also helps with its appearance. However, it’s also appropriate to consider the spiritual cleansing of pounamu. Read more about this practice on our website. 

There is no reason why you can’t or shouldn’t wear jade all the time.

Just as there’s no reason not to wear jade all the time, there’s also no reason to have it on constantly. It depends entirely on the reasons you choose to wear your piece of jewellery. Whether sentimental, spiritual or aesthetic.

It is not considered culturally appropriate to wear someone else’s greenstone (pounamu) unless it has been formally gifted to you by way of ceremony. This practice represents the handing over of spiritual and practical knowledge from our ancestors. As pounamu is passed down through generations its mana (prestige) increases. 

There are formal rules about taking pounamu out of New Zealand. Pounamu in excess of 5 kilograms is prohibited to be exported.

Traditionally pounamu was carved into tools which were retired to jewellery (taonga) when they had lost their efficacy. In a contemporary sense, pounamu is used in a variety of different jewellery; on its own or crafted with other materials to create other pieces. Check out some of the incredible craftsmanship we have on sale in our gallery.

It is generally considered that wearing pounamu all the time is the best way to take care of it. Your natural body oil offers a material to polish the outside of pounamu so it can look its best. Washing pounamu in water also helps with its appearance. However, it’s also appropriate to consider the spiritual cleansing of pounamu. Read more about this practice on our website. 

Yes. Just make sure it’s secure on your person if you do decide to go swimming!

In certain conditions, the colour of jade can change. It is after all a natural material. Exposure to sunlight, darkness, oil, dust, or chemicals can all have an effect on its appearance. Some varieties can change colour when they are being polished due to friction. This is known as heat burn and is generally avoided so as not to spoil the stone’s natural appearance.

Tangibly, there is not a magical way that pounamu can be repaired to look like its original form. According to Te Ao Māori (the Māori world), broken pounamu indicates that a message is being sent from our spiritual guides. It’s an indication that we should stop and pay attention to our life and its goings on. Some iwi believe that burying pounamu, and therefore offering it back to the land, is the most appropriate thing to do.

Greenstone belts refer to the lines of greenstone deposits that can be traced in specific areas in the South Island of New Zealand. From a scientific point of view, greenstone belts give us information about the ways in which land was formed, and they have also provided reliable indications that gold is present too - because they were created in adjacent conditions.

Traditionally, carvings held great value and meaning in their shapes and forms - and as well as paying respect to days past, they still carry this significance today. Read our blog about pounamu shapes, in which we have put together a list of the most commonly found carvings, their origins and the meanings behind them.

Shaped to depict the new growth of a frond belonging to the New Zealand Silver Fern, Koru are widely used - in carving and other art - to represent growth and new beginnings. Used across all facets of life - whanau (family), an individual person, events, places, achievements - they are used to tell stories from all walks of life. 

Toki were an everyday tool used for cutting and digging in early times. Carved from the more dense varieties of pounamu, these tools had a sharp edge which made them a strong piece of equipment. This is why they are considered to be a symbol of strength and courage, as well as determination.

Recognisable as a figure of a man, and one of the most commonly found shapes, this depiction can be found across the world in other cultures, too. Traditionally these pendants were handed from parent to child, connecting past to present.