NZ Greenstone Jewelry Gift

Hei - Tiki

Greenstone jewelry gift has a long tradition in New Zealand. Pounamu is the name given by Maoris. The stone was a prized possession with values above gold to the traditional Maori people. An item was used for trading, a measure of richness and a valuable heirloom.

The durable characteristics cultivated the use for tools, weapons and personal arts. Tools ranged from adze a form of axe to matau the fish hook and patu a short club. The amount and quality of personal arts corresponded to the rank one held within a tribe, or the tribe within rival tribes.

An act of bravery proved the recovery of pounamu and perseverance to work this exceptional hard material. Men who mastered both enjoyed high respect as experts. Though located on the South Island in the land of the Ngāi Tahu people it was treasured on the North Island all the same. Tribes of the south used it to trade with.

The four variations of greenstone are: a very clear greenstone named kahurangi, in kawakawa black dots are viewable, aotea is the stone retrieved from Milford Sound that has signs of tears and takiwai.

Carved jewelry was worn around the neck or in pierced ears. Often practical utensils like matau or poria a parrot leg ring gave motif for decorative pieces.

The most ancient of designs is the hei-tiki that represents ancestors. The shape embodies the human figure variations give information about regional origin. As heirloom the hei-tiki kept the memory, the mana and the stories around its pre-possessor alive. Ancestral success defined its spiritual and magical value.

Some beautiful examples of bone carved hei-tikis are found here.

With modern technology carving greenstone jewelry gift became a lot easier to craft. The traditional motifs live on in today’s design paired with contemporary influences of each carver.

A varied approach towards jade can be observed here.

Presented artist use green or black jade. Some stay two dimensional and others create amazing sculptures to wear around your neck. The outcome are New Zealand gifts with high traditional and contemporary significance.


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