Pounamu - New Zealand Jade

Secondhand condition. Some foxing.

Pounamu is the Maori term for the group of stones popularly known as Greenstone. The word greenstone is misleading as it applies to all jade-like stones including tangiwai (bowenite) which is serpentine. Tangiwai is highly translucent and when viewed against the light - a water-rolled pebble has been likened to a clear drop of liquid. The name tangiwai comes from the Maori legend that tells of a lamenting woman whose tears are turned to stone: tangiwai means tear-water.