Pounamu - Round

These Pounamu (New Zealand greenstone) round cabochons measure approximately 7.7mm across with a low profile height of around 3mm, giving them a simple, understated presence suited to small-scale jewellery work. The colour is a pleasing natural green tone with soft variation throughout, ranging from muted olive to deeper forest hues, reflecting the organic character of genuine pounamu.

These stones are more modestly finished than higher-grade lapidary cuts, with a slightly uneven polish and less refined symmetry, but they still carry the natural beauty and cultural significance that makes pounamu so valued. Their small round form makes them suitable for humble, meaningful pieces such as stacking rings, small pendants, or charm-style settings where the focus is on the stone’s symbolism rather than precision cutting.

Key Properties & Care

Pounamu is a hard, tough variety of nephrite jade, traditionally highly valued in Aotearoa New Zealand for its strength and cultural importance.

Mohs Hardness: Pounamu (nephrite jade) has a hardness of approximately 6 to 6.5, but its interlocking fibrous structure gives it excellent toughness and resistance to breaking.

Cleaning: Clean gently using warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. Ultrasonic cleaners are generally safe but not necessary for this type of stone.

Maintenance:
Durability: Pounamu is exceptionally tough and resistant to chipping compared to many stones of similar hardness, making it well suited to everyday wear.
Surface Finish: These pieces have a softer polish than higher-grade cuts, so the surface may show minor unevenness or tool marks, which are part of their more rustic finish.
Storage: Store separately or in a soft pouch to avoid scratching from harder gemstones or metals, though pounamu itself is relatively resilient.

All photos are for indication only. We cannot guarantee that your screen is displaying the actual colour or refraction of the gemstone.