Maori Greenstone Pounamu Jade Toki Adze Paua Shell N. Zealand Nephrite Pendant

This is a long and beautiful pendant made by a Maori artisan. It is the most bright and gorgeous piece of New Zealand Nephrite Jade imaginable. This stone is called Greenstone or Pounamu in New Zealand and is known as the God stone by the Maori people. Greenstone is worn with respect and given and received with love. It is believed to take on part of the spirit of those who wear or handle it. The shape of this toki or adze was originally used as a working tool and sometimes as a weapon.

This is one of only a few of these kind that I have seen. It has been inlaid with Paua shell. The artist says that he has inlaid the Paua Shell to the face of this pendant to give you the best of both worlds the ocean and the land.

60 mm x 19mm x 5 mm

Paua Shell - Is a beautiful shell with vivid opalescent colours, sometimes called the Opal of the Sea.
For many years the Maori has gathered the Paua shell from the rocks at low tide.

The meat is a traditional Maori food and the shell is used for carvings particularly for the ‘eyes’. It is a species of the Abalone family only found in New Zealand.

The best shells are found off the southern rugged coastal waters of Fiordland and Stewart Island.

Its shape represents an axe head. It also signifies wisdom, power, authority, determination and honour.

The length of the cord is fully adjustable.