Pounamu is the Maori name given to nephrite jade, commonly known as Greenstone. Nephrite is a group of serpentine minerals that contain calcium, magnesium, and iron. Nephrite is most often seen in shades of green, brown, and black, and can be found on beaches or hillsides around the South Island of New Zealand, as well as in areas like Madagascar, China, and Siberia. Nephrite has long been regarded as one of New Zealand's natural treasures, being used to make tools, weapons, and jewellry.
In the entire world, true nephrite jade is a rare mineral. The largest fields in New Zealand's South Island can be found in Westland at Arahura and Taramakau. In the provinces of Otago and Southland, further deposits can be found close to Lakes Wakatipu and Wanaka. Jade is created through the movement of crucible rocks under pressure, extreme heat, and superheated water. Nephrite has never been discovered in a rock seam. Over time, stones are exposed as a result of alluvial erosion and soil movement and are subsequently flushed into the rivers.
Calcium magnesium silicate with varying levels of iron makes up nephrite jade. The different range of colours is caused by the iron content. Green and variations of green are the most common colours in New Zealand jade, yet you can also find hues that range from nearly white to practically black. It is impossible to develop a standard colour designation since the colour of a single stone block can change so drastically over its entire surface. Another stone block's transparency may completely alter the colour it seems to be.
The Maori classified several types of pounamu based on the stone's quality, colour shades, and translucency. Tribal and geographic nomenclature varied when describing the many types. The most popular forms include:
Flower Jade: Jade Flower. This stone's hues can range from pale, clear inanga to deep, rich Kahurangi greens to dark, intense kawakawa. The most well-liked and expensive pounamu sought after by contemporary carvers is this one. Jade is still prized for its durability, hardness, and capacity to maintain a sharp edge. The flower may be transformed into anything the artist is capable of producing, and New Zealand pounamu is known for its distinctive gold colouring patches.
Inanga: is a pearly-white substance that resembles well-watered milk and is the Maori term for the local whitebait minnows. Very firm, takes a good polish, and has a fine texture.
Kahurangi: te kahu-o-te-rangi, the robe of the sky; kahu; and rangi. Emerald or vivid green in hue, with waves that resemble sea foam or rolling clouds. This colour and marking are quite valuable.
Kawakawa: A deep, vivid green that resembles the leaves of the pepper or kawa-kawa tree. This tree's branches were frequently used in Maori rituals.
Kokopu: also known as Trout Stone, is a blend of dark brown, olive green, and yellow or has brown patches. named after the native freshwater trout of New Zealand because of its similar colouring and patterns.
Pipiwharauroa: The inanga, tangiwai, and dark kawakawa kinds are the most common for finding this uncommon and special sort of stone. Named after the brilliant cuckoo, the stone's green and white dazzling plumage resembles the minuscule bands of light that create a cat's eye look as it is moved.
Raukaraka. A rare variation of kawakawa pounamu that has an orange hue. It is named after the leaf of the karaka tree. Typically, the pounamu is an olive to light green colour. Early lapidarists (stone cutters, polishers or engravers) would remove the thick crust and just fashion jewellery using the heart, but modern carvers use the entirety of the stone, capitalising on the colour contrast to make stunning pieces.
Tangiwai: Although this particular stone is a bowenite and not a nephrite jade, Maori regard it as a member of the pounamu family. Depending on the region, its colours range from olive to brownish to yellowish to bluish green. Milford Sound has the biggest deposits, with Anita and Poison Bays being the most well-known. This stone has the property of being translucent, and occasionally it can be almost entirely transparent like glass. The entire term koko-tangiwai, which translates as "deep sorrow that is never fully healed," denotes a deep sorrow that is never fully atoned for.
Totoweka: is defined as "the blood of the weka jade" and is described as being pale green with distinct splashes of vivid red. Weka is the Maori hen. This kind is extremely uncommon and valuable.
While several legends show the significance and origins of Pounamu in Te Ao Maori, some are more elaborate than others, the location and significance of this precious taonga is always agreed upon.
