Our pounamu comes from the Westcoast of the South Island of New Zealand... and also from the Haast area (South Island, NZ).

People go 'bush' to look for greenstone... The Pounamu blocks are brought out by helicopter in pieces of up to 500kg or even heavier. The pieces have been broken down in the bush by portable saws...

The pieces are cut down to blocks of 100-200 kg and then sold to factories, carvers etc.

The pieces are then slabbed down to usable sheets. Templates are used for the design, shape of the carving. They are then cut out, carved into the shape and polished. Unfortunately we can not give out any trade secrets, but it is very impressive to see the carver at work!

There are different grades of greenstone. We use the 'jewellery grade'. Colours vary from white to black and all colours of green in between...

The best color is the color of your preference...

Our carvings might vary in color to the ones we have displayed on our site, however, most carvings are in dark green.

pounamu index