Jade, Jadeite, Nephrite, Greenstone - Pounamu, is just some of the names given to this semi-precious Green Stone revered across many cultures for thousands of years, has an array of highly desirable properties aside from its inherent geological makeup. Jade is as highly-prized today as it was by the ancient cultures thousands of years ago.
The word nephrite comes from the Greek word nephros and the meaning kidney. This semi-precious stone was ground up and taken as a paste by sufferers of kidney stones, nephritis. Many people wore jade charms and pendants to protect the kidneys as well as liver, spleen, heart, larynx, thymus and thyroid. New age books explaining healing crystals still credit jade with the ability to strengthen the kidneys and assist with bladder problems.
Jade is the name loosely used to describe the nephrite and jadeite. Whilst similar in appearance, these two gemstones are very different in both chemical and structural make up.
Maori discovered and began using Pounamu ; nephrite jade for items of adornment,
Most of what they used for tools, weapons and personal ornamentation would have been found such as boulders, rocks and pebbles in New Zealand West coast rivers, streams and on beaches after being washed from the Southern Alps by the many swift-flowing rivers ; some, like the Taramakau, Arahura and their tributaries, were more productive than others.
Although occasional large chunks may have been extracted from the mountainsides, old-time Maori never mined nephrite jade.
The word nephrite comes from the Greek word nephros and the meaning kidney. This semi-precious stone was ground up and taken as a paste by sufferers of kidney stones, nephritis. Many people wore jade charms and pendants to protect the kidneys as well as liver, spleen, heart, larynx, thymus and thyroid. New age books explaining healing crystals still credit jade with the ability to strengthen the kidneys and assist with bladder problems.
Jade is the name loosely used to describe the nephrite and jadeite. Whilst similar in appearance, these two gemstones are very different in both chemical and structural make up.
Maori discovered and began using Pounamu ; nephrite jade for items of adornment,
Most of what they used for tools, weapons and personal ornamentation would have been found such as boulders, rocks and pebbles in New Zealand West coast rivers, streams and on beaches after being washed from the Southern Alps by the many swift-flowing rivers ; some, like the Taramakau, Arahura and their tributaries, were more productive than others.
Although occasional large chunks may have been extracted from the mountainsides, old-time Maori never mined nephrite jade.
Varieties
New Zealand has many different varieties of Jade, listed below are a preferred selection used for carving due to there stunning colors and finish that can be achieved.
|
Kawakawa
Named after the leaves of the kawakawa tree. Bright to a darker green with black spots and inclusions.
|
|
Flower Jade (Marsden/Raukaraka)
Being one of the rarest Jades found in the world and is named after the blossom of the karaka tree - highly prized.
|
|
Totoweka
Blood of the weka bird - A speckled red streaked - extremely rare.
|
|
Inanga
Named after New Zealand small native fish the whitebait. Light green to white colors - prized for its translucent qualities.
|
|
Kokopu
Named after the New Zealand native trout. A very light opaque Jade with brown inclusions.
|
Meanings
|
Hei Matau / Fish Hook
Represent determination, strength, peace, prosperity, fertility and safe passage over water.
|
|
Hei Tiki
A tribal artifact, a remembrance of past ancestors and the first man.
|
|
Koru / Spiral
New life or beginning, growth, harmony and peace.
|
|
Kuru / Drop Pendant
The comfort stone. A Simple slender length of Pounamu, brings knowledge, confidence and independence.
It encourages positive energy, helps with healing. |
|
Manaia
A mythological creature in Maori culture, a spiritual guardian with the head of a bird, the body of a human and the tail of a fish. It protect from evil. The Manaia is traditionally believed to be the messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits.
|
|
Pikorua / Twist
It represent the joining of lives in love or friendship for the eternity. Sometimes being apart you will always come back together again.
|
|
Porohita / Disc
Circle of life has no beginning or end.
|
|
Toki / Adze
Traditional tool that Maoris used such as : fishing, carving.
It gives the wearer, strength and courage. |