New Zealand Greenstone Jade Carvings

Greenstone is a term specific to New Zealand to describe Jade. There are two types of Jade, jadeite and nephrite. Nephrite is the only type to occur in New Zealand. Jade comes in a variety of colors, green being the most valued. Jade / Greenstone is a hard and tough stone. Pounamu is a Maori word which is used to describe jade / greenstone and also bowenite. The Maori classified pounamu according to colour and named many varieties. Pounamu is broken down into 4 types: kahurangi, kawakawa, inanga and tangiwai. Kahurangi is the rarest form of pounamu / greenstone. It is a light green greenstone with light streaks which resemble clouds. It is free of any flaws and is very translucent. Kawakawa has a strong green colour with varying shades throughout. It is named due to the fact that it resembles a leaf from the kawakawa / Lofty pepper tree. Inanga which means whitebait is a pearl white grey/green coloured stone which is usually translucent. Tangiwai (Bowenite) is a very translucent, olive-green to bluish-green type of serpentine, found mainly at the entrance to Milford Sound in the South Island. The word tangiwai came from the Maori legend relating to the petrification of the tears of a lamenting woman. Sometimes it is referred to as koko-tangiwai, koko meaning ear pendant, and this signifies its predominant use.

Early Maori discovered Pounamu's ability to retain a hard, sharp edge making it ideal as cutting tools. Maori made adzes (toki) and chisels (whao) from nephrite jade, they fitted the jade to wooden handles and lashed them together using flax cords.

Pounamu / greenstone / Jade will benefit from the addition of light, scented oil and if it is not being worn very regularly, is best stored in a felt or leather pouch. A very light smear of oil in the pouch will enhance the carved pounamu with a beautiful warm gloss.

Pounamu / greenstone / Jade was normally suspended from thin leather or plaited flax. It was traditional for a piece to be worn level with the cavity where the two collarbones meet above the chest.
Below and throughout the site there are a wide range of New Zealand Greenstone Jade Carvings to choose from, enjoy your browsing of the site and we are sure you will find something suitable for your needs.
Greenstone Jade Carvings

	Mottled Greenstone Jade bracelet Code: J195 Weight: 0.05 Price: $139.52 Quantity in Basket: none
Mottled Greestone bracelet Greenstone is a form of Jade.
	Hei-tiki Maori Good Luck greenstone jade pendant Code: J196 Weight: 0.03 Price: $110.00 Quantity in Basket: none
A Hei-Tiki is a stylised form of a fetus and was traditionally worn by Maori Women as a fertility symbol. It is now worn as a good-luck charm by both sexes. This lovely example, is carved in greenstone sourced from the South Island of New Zealand. Width: 1.5 inches / 4 cm Height: 2.5 inches / 6 cm Hei-tiki Maori Good Luck greenstone jade pendant It is also available in a larger size.
	Greenstone Jade Hei-matau Hook Maori Pendant Code: J197 Weight: 0.10 Price: $110.00 Quantity in Basket: none
This Hei-Matau or Fish Hook shaped pendant symbolises strength and determination and brings peace, prosperity and good health. It also provides a safe journey over water. The greenstone is from the Haast area on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The pendant is hung on a plaited, waxed polyester cord. Width: 1 inches / 3 cm Height: 1.65 inches / 4 cm Greenstone Jade Hei-matau Hook Maori Pendant
	Mere Greenstone Jade Carved Maori Pendant Code: J202 Weight: 0.10 Price: $110.00 Quantity in Basket: none
Width: 1.25 inches / 3 cm Height: 4.5 inches / 11 cm The Maori word for a "fighting club" is Mere. The Mere is traditionally made in greenstone. Worn as a pendant, it represents strength and determination. This lovely example of a Mere is carved on both sides from greenstone sourced from the South Island of New Zealand. Mere Greenstone Jade Carved Maori Pendant
	Pendant Maori Hei-Matau Hook Jade Greenstone Code: J204 Weight: 0.10 Price: $114.00 Quantity in Basket: none
The Hei-Matau or Fish Hook design symbolises for Maori strength, determination, peace, prosperity and good health. It also provides a safe journey over water. The greenstone is from the Haast area on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The pendant is hung on a plaited, waxed polyester cord. Width: 1.6 inches / 4 cm Height: 3 inches / 8 cm Greenstone Jade Maori Fish Hook Pendant
	Greenstone Jade Hei-matau Hook Maori Pendant Code: J207 Weight: 0.03 Price: $62.50 Quantity in Basket: none
The Hei-Matau or Fish Hook design symbolises for Maori strength, determination, peace, prosperity and good health. It also provides a safe journey over water. The greenstone is from the Haast area on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is hung on a plaited, waxed polyester cord. Height: 1.6 inches / 4 cm Greenstone Jade Hei-matau Hook Maori Pendant
	Mere Greenstone Jade Carved Maori Pendant Code: J208 Weight: 0.05 Price: $89.00 Quantity in Basket: none
Width: 1 inches / 3 cm Height: 2 inches / 5 cm The Maori word for a "fighting club" is Mere. It is traditionally made in greenstone. Worn as a pendant, it represents strength and determination. This is a lovely example of a Mere is carved in greenstone from the Haast area on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is hung on a plaited, waxed polyester cord and comes in a green velvet box.
	Hei-tiki Maori Good Luck greenstone jade pendant Code: J211 Weight: 0.03 Price: $38.00 Quantity in Basket: none
A Hei-Tiki is a stylised form of a fetus and was traditionally worn by Maori Women as a fertility symbol. It is now worn as a good-luck charm by both sexes. This is a lovely example, being carved in greenstone from the South Island of new Zealand. It is carved on one side only and comes in a green velvet box Width: 0.9 inches / 2 cm Height: 1.30 inches / 3 cm For more Greenstone
	Greenstone Jade Hei-matau Hook Maori Pendant Code: J214 Weight: 0.10 Price: $67.00 Quantity in Basket: none
This beautiful Pendant symbolises the Maori Fishing Hook or " Hei-Matau" which represents strength and determination and brings peace, prosperity and good health. It also provides a safe journey over water. The greenstone is from the Haast area on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is hung on a plaited, waxed polyester cord and it comes in a green velvet box. Height: 1.3 inches / 3.5 cm Greenstone Jade Hei-matau Hook Maori Pendant
	Jade Greenstone Whale's Tail Pendant Code: J215 Weight: 0.03 Price: $69.00 Quantity in Basket: none
Width: 1.65 inches / 4 cm This Whale's tail is carved on both sides and it comes in a green velvet box. The Hiku is a powerful Maori symbol. It represents strength, speed, success and confidence. The greenstone is from the South Island of New Zealand.
	Jade Greenstone Jade Heart Pendant Code: J218 Weight: 0.02 Price: $57.50 Quantity in Basket: none
This heart pendant is carved on both sides and it comes in a green velvet box. Width: 1.25 inches / 3 cm Height: 1.25 inches / 3 cm
	Jade Greenstone Long Drop Earrings Code: J219 Weight: 0.03 Price: $55.20 Quantity in Basket: none
Greenstone is a form of Jade which is mined on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.These earrings are for pierced ears. They come in a green velvet box. Height: 2.1 inches / 5 cm Please let us know if you would like sterling silver earring fittings.
	Mere Greenstone Jade Carved Maori Pendant Code: J222 Weight: 0.03 Price: $48.30 Quantity in Basket: none
Width: 0.75 inches / 2 cm Height: 2.25 inches / 6 cm The Maori word for a "fighting club" is Mere. It is traditionally made in greenstone. Worn as a pendant, it represents strength and determination.. This attractive mere was carved on both sides in greenstone from the South Island of New Zealand. The pendant comes in a green velvet box
	Greenstone Jade Ring Code: J228 Weight: 0.01 Price: $18.40 Quantity in Basket: none
The rings are sold in a variety of sizes. Please advise your size. Ring Size Chart
	Hei-tiki Maori Good Luck greenstone jade pendant Code: J226 Weight: 0.02 Price: $25.30 Quantity in Basket: none
A Hei-Tiki is a stylised form of a fetus and was traditionally worn by Maori Women as a fertility symbol. It is now worn as a good-luck charm by both sexes. It is carved on one side only and comes in a green velvet box. Width: 0.75 inches / 2 cm Height: 1.25 inches / 3 cm Hei-tiki Maori Good Luck greenstone jade pendant
	Jade Greenstone Heart Pendant Code: J225 Weight: 0.03 Price: $50.60 Quantity in Basket: none
This heart shaped pendant is carved on both sides and it comes in a green velvet box. Width: 0.75 inches / 2 cm Height: 1 inches / 3 cm
	Jade Greenstone Jade Double Twist Pendant Code: J227 Weight: 0.02 Price: $80.50 Quantity in Basket: none
This beautiful intertwined Double Twist Pendant has been carved in such a way that the two strands of the greenstone are separate. The Double Twist represents a bonding of friendship, two lives becoming one. The greenstone is from the Haast area on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is hung on a plaited, waxed polyester cord and has a greenstone toggle at one end. Height: 1.25 inches / 3 cm For more Greenstone
	Jade Greenstone Jade Double Twist Pendant Code: j227b Weight: 0.03 Price: $115.50 Quantity in Basket: none
This beautiful intertwined Double Twist Pendant has been carved in such a way that the two strands of the greenstone are separate. The Double Twist represents a bonding of friendship, two lives becoming becoming one for all eternity. The greenstone is from the Haast area on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is hung on a plaited, waxed polyester cord and has a greenstone toggle at one end. Height: 2.0 inches / 5 cm To see more greenstone Greenstone
	Greenstone Jade New Zealand Maori Mere-18cm 7" Code: S060 Weight: 0.60 Price: $387.75 Quantity in Basket: none
Length:7"/18cm Weight: 1.2lb/500g This jade mere (said ""merry"") is ornamental of a larger version used as both ceremonial as well as fighting club by Maori warriors. They were very skilful fighters with the club and, when they used it, would lunge the mere forward in a stabbing motion, directing the rounded, sharp, edge towards the forehead in an attempt to break the skull and destroy the brain. Manufactured from finest quality NZ Nephrite (jade). The carved hardwood base is included.
	Greenstone Jade New Zealand Maori Mere-24cm (9.5") Code: S060B Weight: 1.00 Price: $480.00 Quantity in Basket: none
Length:9.5"/24cm Weight: 1.5lb/650g This jade mere (said ""merry"") is ornamental of a larger version used as both ceremonial as well as fighting club by Maori warriors. They were very skilful fighters with the club and, when they used it, would lunge the mere forward in a stabbing motion, directing the rounded, sharp, edge towards the forehead in an attempt to break the skull and destroy the brain. Manufactured from finest quality NZ Nephrite (jade). The carved hardwood base is included. Width: 3.5 inches / 9 cm Length: 9.5 inches / 24 cm Depth: 0.5 inches / 1 cm

New Zealand Greenstone Jade Carvings