Greenstone Greenstone Greenstone Greenstone Greenstone By Aimee.

Greenstone is a treasured and high valued jade thatcomes from the South Island of New Zealand. It isknown as Pounamu, New Zealand jade or Neprite.

Did you know?For the early

Aztecs of Mexico, the most precious thing a man could

own was jade.

These are different types of greenstone found in NZ.

Īnanga got its name from a native freshwater fish and it is pearly-white or grey-green in colour.

Kahurangi has a vivid shade of green. It is named after the clearness of the sky and is the rarest variety of greenstone.

Kawakawa comes in many shades, and is named after the leaves of the native kawakawa tree. It is the most common variety of greenstone.

Tangiwai is clear like glass but with a range of shades. The name comes from the word for the tears that come from great sorrow.

Did you know?NZ has some of

the finest greenstone in

the world!

Greenstone can be made in to a lot of jewellery. Hereare some of the main ones.

Bangles Bracelets Earrings Pendants Rings Necklaces Brooches Cuff links

Did you know?Greenstone is

found in at least 25 locations

around the world.

These are some Maori weapons carved with greenstone.

Toki Pou Tangata–made for ceremonial occasions. made from a greenstone blade and carved handle.

Mere- A broad blade shaped like a big teardrop usually made from greenstone.

Taiaha-hand carved Maori spear usually made from greenstone and wood.

Did you know?Greenstone have

been used in Central and

Eastern Asia for thousands of

years.

1.What is a Mere?a) A hand carved spearb) A broad bladec) A blade for ceremonial occasionsANSWER: B) A broad blade

2. What is the 3 names for greenstone?a) Emerald, Jade and Nephriteb) Rock, Bowenite and Jadec) Pounama, NZ Jade and NephriteANSWER: C) Pounama, NZ Jade and Nephrite

3. What jewellery can be made from greenstone?a) Braceletsb) Ringsc)All of the aboveANSWER: C)All of the above

4. What colour is the Tangiwai greenstone?a) Clear like glass with a range of shadesb) Many shadesc) Vivid shade of greenANSWER: A) Clear like glass with a range of shades