Traditional Maori designs handcrafted from beautifully polished New Zealand Pounamu, (Greenstone, or New Zealand Jade) New Zealand's most treasured precious stone.
All pendants are left untied so that you can fasten it at your preferred length. Comes with a complimentary velvet pouch. Handcrafted in Wellington, New Zealand.
Because this is a natural product, precise colour tones may vary a little from that pictured.
Hei Koru
This design is inspired by the traditional Koru design which represents the fern frond as it opens bringing new life and purity to the world. It heralds new beginnings of peace, tranquillity, growth and harmony for its wearer.
Hei Koru is formed from Kawakawa Pounamu - a strong green pounamu, often with small dark and light flecks, called inclusions, which add to its character. It is named because its colour resembles the leaf of the kawakawa or lofty pepper tree (macropiper excelsum).
Measures approx 35mm (1.3 inch) in diameter.
About Pounamu (New Zealand greenstone)
Pounamu is a highly prized hard nephrite jade found in New Zealand. It is composed of chlorite and epidote which makes the stone a mid-to-dark green colour and is considered New Zealand's most treasured precious stone.
Greenstone rocks are generally found in rivers. They appear as nondescript boulders and stones and are difficult to identify without cutting them open. The mining of pounamu is closely controlled.
The Maori call the South Island of New Zealand Te Wai Pounamu, meaning "The Land of Greenstone Water". Pounamu is highly valued by the Maori and is considered a taonga or treasure, and so is protected under the Treaty of Waitangi.
Pounamu is a very hard stone and must be worked with care and patience. Traditionally it was used as an alternative to iron in axes and similar hand tools. The Maori club, the mere, was often made of pounamu. Because of its beauty and value it was also turned into beautiful jewellery in traditional Maori designs. Pounamu artefacts were often given as gifts to seal important agreements. Today, diamond tools are often used to carve it and Pounamu jewellery is very popular among New Zealanders who see it as somewhat iconic of the country.