Pounamu and Paua Neclace
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Pounamu and Paua Neclace
Pounamu – New Zealand’s highly prized stone – has been used by Māori to denote status and authority, for adornment, and for making peace. Treasured by all New Zealanders for it's value and spiritual significance. Pounamu refers to several types of hard, durable and highly valued nephrite jade, bowenite, or serpentinite stone found in southern New Zealand. Pounamu is the Māori name. These rocks are also generically known as "greenstone" in New Zealand.
Pāua shells are recognized as taonga, or treasure, esteemed both as kaimoana --seafood and as a valued resource for traditional and contemporary arts and crafts. Pāua are frequently used to represent the eyes in Māori carvings and traditionally are associated with the stars or whetū, the symbolic eyes of ancestors that gaze down from the night sky.