Each pounamu piece is a geological fingerprint, marked by features that tell its origin story. Below are some though not all of the characteristics that make this unique ‘taonga’ so captivating:

Geological Features: The Stone’s Signature

• Fractures - Natural cracks or healed fissures that add character. These can be polished to reveal depth or left raw to honour the stone’s journey

• Dendrites - Tree-like mineral inclusions, often manganese or iron, that resemble branches or roots evoking ancestral connections

• Diopside Crystals - Bright green or white crystalline inclusions that shimmer within the jade matrix, adding contrast and intrigue

• Botryoidal Texture - Grape-like surface formations found in some raw stones, hinting at their volcanic or hydrothermal origins

• Chatoyancy - A silky, cat’s-eye effect caused by fibrous mineral alignment. This optical play gives some pounamu a glowing, ethereal quality

Combinations: No Two Alike

Many stones exhibit overlapping traits — an ‘Inanga’ base with ‘Kawakawa’ specks, or ‘Kahurangi’ clarity with dendritic veining. These combinations defy classification and elevate each piece into a one-of-a-kind creation.