Porohita with Koru - Kawakawa

Genuine West Coast Greenstone – Kawakawa is the most common variety of Pounamu. it comes in many shades - from strong, rich green to dark green - and often has small dark flecks, which add to its character. Named after the leaf of the Kawakawa. It is the main type used in gem purposes.

Size

46mm dia

Te Wahi Pounamu, where the beauty and spirit of Māori culture are brought to life through authentic, handcrafted Pounamu jewellery. For over 30 years, we have celebrated the legacy of New Zealand’s treasured greenstone, honouring its role as a taonga (treasure) and its deep connection to the land and people of Aotearoa. Deane Moreton, our founder, learned his craft alongside his father in a family workshop dedicated to Pounamu. From these humble beginnings, his passion grew into a lifelong journey of storytelling through design. Today, his artistry reflects the strength, beauty, and mana of Pounamu, with every piece rooted in Māori traditions and values. Kahurangi greenstone (pounamu) is the rarest, most prized type of New Zealand jade, known for its high translucency, vivid light-green color, and subtle white "cloud" or "feather-like" markings, named for its preciousness and clarity, resembling the "cloak of the heavens". Highly esteemed by Māori, it was used for significant carvings, symbolizing nobility, strength, and connection to the land, often found in the West Coast region. The double pikorua (twist) is a Māori symbol representing the unbreakable bond, friendship, and love between two people or cultures, lasting for eternity. Modeled after intertwined pikopiko ferns, it symbolizes the merging of two life paths that, despite separating, always come back together. It is often gifted to signify unity, loyalty, and connection