The New Zealand indigenous people, the Maori, have recovered Jade (greenstone or pounamu), for over 1,000 years. They prized jade as a perfect medium for tools, weapons and adornment. They traded jade for food and other necessities. Greenstone Jade has great spiritual meaning to the Maoris.

Jade has commonly been called greenstone in New Zealand since the early European days when early settlers did not know jade as a semi precious stone.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Image Tongarewa

Location

New Zealand Jade is found in several different areas all close to the alpine fault line, though mainly on the West Coast of the South Island and the historic Arahura River. It is also found in South Westland below Haast.

Composition

New Zealand Jade has a chemical composition of hydrated calcium magnesium silicate with varying amounts of iron.
58% stone
20% magnesium oxide
13% calcium oxide
2% water
7% iron

On Mohs’ scale of hardness of 1 to 10, Jade is 6 to 7. Diamond drill tips and saws are required to work it.
Jade is a metamorphic stone formed under heat and pressure estimated to have formed 60 miles underground. Through erosion and movement the jade eventually finds its way through the earth's crust in the form of boulders.