NZ Pounamu necklaces (pendants) and pounamu jewellery made by hand in New Zealand. Authentic pounamu. Discover the meaning behind the pieces we hand carve. Traditional pounamu greenstone pendants necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and art based on Māori design. We also sell international jade.

Pounamu is a term for several types of hard and durable stone found in the South Island of New Zealand. They are highly valued in New Zealand, and carvings made from pounamu play an important role in Māori culture.

Pounamu is a precious and powerful stone by Māori people. Learn more about the significance of Māori pounamu, and where you can find this beautiful green stone while in New Zealand.

Many pounamu meanings stem from historical accounts of Māori life and the rich mythological and spiritual beliefs that Māori hold. Learn more about greenstone meanings and designs.

In New Zealand, pounamu is only found on the South Island, which is why the island is also known as Te Waipounamu, which translates to “the waters of greenstone”. There are a few key rivers and regions, mainly on the West Coast, where pounamu can be found, including the Arahura and Hokitika Rivers.

New Zealand Pounamu - an authentication system by Ngāi Tahu to validate the origin of New Zealand pounamu, highlight the cultural and historical important of pounamu, and provide an online outlet for the work of genuine pounamu carvers.

Traditional and contemporary Authentic New Zealand Pounamu (greenstone jade) carvings and sculptures.

Pounamu is a hard, highly valued stone mainly found as boulders. It is also called greenstone or New Zealand jade. It is treasured by Māori because: it is believed to be sacred. Where is it found? It is only found in the South Island, so it is very important to the tribe there, Ngāi Tahu. The boulders are often found in or near rivers.

Feb 9, 2022 · Pounamu is used to describe several types of (mostly) green-hued durable stone found in only a few locations in southern New Zealand. It is highly valued as a taonga (treasure) partly because of its rarity but mostly because it plays an important role in Māori culture.

The word ‘Pounamu’ is the term used by Māori for nephrite jade. The word greenstone is also commonly used in NZ, however the people of Poutini Ngāi Tahu prefer to call it pounamu as jade comes in many different colour variations not just green.