Pounamu called nephrite jade by geologists, greenstone by early settlers and pounamu by Maori. The material is mainly sourced from the West Coast of the South Island, NZ.
The natural beauty of the pounamu has many colour variations and classifications. Pounamu is regarded as precious and given as a taonga (gift) it is an honour to receive.
Pounamu is a treasured taonga of the Maori people. Pounamu is carved in many symbols which are significantly spiritual to Maori. Such symbols represent ancestry, connection to the natural environment or attributes like love, harmony, friendship, prosperity, strength and new life etc.
