New Zealand Greenstone Jade

New Zealand Greenstone Jade has been highly prized by the Maori for weapons, tools, and jewellery.  Jade exists in two geological forms; Jadeite and Nephrite.  Nephrite Jade is the form found in New Zealand, where it is commonly known as either Greenstone or by its Maori name of Pounamu.

Jade is called Greenstone in New Zealand because the first European explorers who came to New Zealand in the eighteenth century saw the Maori people wearing Jade Tiki and other ornaments. They didn't realise it was Jade and called it Greenstone and the name has stayed.

Greenstone has a richness in colour. It can vary from a pale green to a very dark green. When held to the light you can see within the stone and when held in the hand the stone will appear a darker shade of green. The preference for a certain colour of greenstone is personal. Our greenstone images have light behind them so will appear darker when viewed inside the presentation box.