Coast Inanga Pounamu takes its name from a freshwater fish native to New
Zealand. It is pale and often transparent, like the young of the Inanga fish.
It is pearly white to grey-green in colour, and ranges from translucent to
quite opaque. It can change colour over time, developing a light olive tint as
it ages and oxidises - Highly prized by the Māori and the desired material for
making Mere and Patu.
The most prized Greenstone in New Zealand is Flower
Jade ,
Greenstone with pale green or ochre clouds of colour. This distinctive patterning and colouring come from the outside rim or 'rind' of the greenstone boulders or stones where the surface has oxidised.
