Pounamu vs Greenstone vs Jade: Why the Name Matters

At the studio, my day begins with the high pitched grind of diamond coated tools shaping stone as new pieces of taonga pounamu are created. I leave the workshop at the end of the day coated in pounamu dust. My days are spent in a pounamu haze.

Yet, every now and then, a visitor in the store picks up a finished hei toki or a pekapeka, turns it in the light, and asks the same question:

“Is this jade, or is it greenstone?”

The short answer is yes. But the real answer is a journey that began thousands of years ago through many generations.

While these words are often used interchangeably in gift shops and online stores, they carry vastly different meanings. If you are wearing a piece of Aotearoa, you deserve to understand the story behind the name.

Jade: The Global Family

Think of jade as a scientific umbrella term. Globally, jade refers to two distinct minerals:

Nephrite
Jadeite

Jade is found in many parts of the world, from the mountains of Canada to the valleys of Guatemala, and can be discovered within many regions throughout Asia. It has long been admired for its beauty, strength, and historical significance.

When something is called jade, it describes the stone’s mineral composition, hardness, and typical green colour. It suggests what the stone is, but not where it's from or what it represents culturally.

Greenstone: The External Lens

The word greenstone is more of a marketplace term than a true definition.

When the first European explorers and settlers arrived in Aotearoa, they did not have the cultural or geological vocabulary to describe what they saw. They observed a strong, beautiful green stone and simply named it greenstone.

Today, the term is still commonly used in English-speaking markets. However, internationally, greenstone may refer to many green-coloured minerals that are not jade at all.

It is a convenient shorthand — but a surface-level description. It speaks to colour rather than meaning. In our workshop, we often see it used as a souvenir word rather than a cultural one.

Pounamu: A Taonga of Aotearoa

When we speak about pounamu, we are speaking about far more than a mineral.

Pounamu is a taonga — a treasure. It is believed to carry mauri, living spiritual presence.

To be considered true pounamu, the stone must originate from the rivers, mountains, and coastlines of Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island of New Zealand). Often, when pounamu is first found, it appears as a dull grey or yellow stone, shaped by thousands of years of tumbling through riverbeds. It is only when the stone is cut that its hidden beauty is revealed — almost as if the stone awakens.

Pounamu is believed to be the embodiment of Waitaiki, who is protected by the taniwha Poutini, the atua associated with pounamu. Through this whakapapa, pounamu carries the mana of the land, the river, and the carver who shapes it.

We do not truly own pounamu. We are its temporary caretaker. Through generations, it gathers stories and memories — gifted to celebrate births, seal relationships, honour journeys, or remember loved ones. When you wear pounamu, you become part of its ancient and ongoing story.

Jade & Pounamu: The Low-down

Broadly speaking, in Aotearoa pounamu can be classified into two main minerals:

Nephrite (one of the types of stone that is considered jade)
Serpentine

Within te reo Māori classification, pounamu is grouped by the character of the stone, its colour, and its quality. These are typically named after natural features of the land and the native creatures that dwell there. There is a broad spectrum of pounamu that has a range of names, including (but not limited to):

Totoweka – deep red or brown tones
Kawakawa – rich dark green colouring
Raukaraka – yellow or orange hues
Kahurangi – bright, vibrant green
Inanga – pale, silvery tones
Kōkopu – spotted patterns
Tangiwai – glassy and translucent appearance
Pipiwharauroa – shimmering or chatoyant patterns

Of all the types of pounamu, tangiwai, otherwise known as bowenite, is the only variety that is not nephrite. It is a specific type of serpentine called antigorite serpentine which is prized for its translucency and jewel-like quality.

Equating pounamu to jade, while mostly accurate, is a simplification that ignores the deep cultural component and connection that Māori have to the land and its natural beauty. Calling pounamu “just jade” is like calling heirloom jewellery “just jewellery.” One is decorative, while the other is a tohu — a symbol of memory, identity, and connection.

Why the Distinction Matters

At Sands Carving Studio, we do not simply carve stone. We work with it.

When shaping a hei tiki or any taonga, we allow the stone to guide its final form. Each stone carries its own character, and our role is to honour its whakapapa, its mauri.

Using the correct terminology shows respect for:

The Source

Recognising the rivers and landscapes of Aotearoa where the stone originates.

The Artist

Acknowledging that the carver is a storyteller and cultural practitioner, not just a manufacturer.

The Wearer

Transforming jewellery into a genuine connection with place, culture, and story.

How to Know You Are Holding Authentic Pounamu

In today’s market, mass-produced imitations are common. Many stores import jade from overseas while marketing it alongside pounamu.

The most important question you can ask is:

“Where is this stone from?”

Authentic pounamu should offer traceability. A trusted seller or carver should be able to explain the river, region, or source of the stone.

Experience Pounamu at Sands Carving Studio

Jade is something you look at.
Pounamu is something you feel.

We invite you to move beyond labels and experience the spirit of the stone for yourself. Whether you are choosing your first piece or adding to a family legacy, visit Sands Carving Studio to witness the carving process, hear the stories, and discover the taonga that speaks to your own journey.

Pounamu vs Greenstone vs Jade: Why the Name Matters