What Does Raw Greenstone Look Like?

Expert Knowledge from Our Whānau of Master Carvers in Arrowtown

Introduction

          “Is this pounamu?”

That was the question from Ash, who proudly set a palm-sized, smooth, greenish rock on our workshop table here in Arrowtown. She and her partner had been bike-packing through the Tour Aotearoa and picked it up on a West Coast beach. Its chalky-green crust and solid heft had her convinced she’d found real greenstone.

My father, Lee-Roy Mullings (Ngāti Kahungunu)—a master carver with over 35 years of experience—ran a thoughtful hand over its surface and felt its weight. 

 “Not this time,” he said kindly.
“Beautiful stone, but not pounamu.”

Ash looked disappointed, and we understood. Raw pounamu is often more elusive than people expect. That sense of mystery is exactly what makes the possibility of finding it in the wild so exciting. Ash was still proud of her stone and still meant something to her, connected her to the land and Aotearoa, wanting to take it back home with her.

 

A Whānau Legacy of Jade and Timeless Techniques

Our whānau’s connection to pounamu runs deep. My father’s carving knowledge has been honed through generations of practice. Our relation, the late Russell Beck, traveled globally as a jade authority, exploring the stone’s many varieties. 

“Building a visual memory of jade is a lifetime journey; each stone has its own story.”
—Russell Beck

Russell also recreated ancient Māori stone-working tools, like flax-cord saws and stone drills, rediscovering pre-steel methods that continue to amaze modern artisans. Today, carvers like my father blend these enduring insights with contemporary approaches, ensuring pounamu’s natural beauty and cultural value remain at the forefront.

 

What Does Raw Greenstone Look Like?

For anyone only familiar with polished greenstone, raw pounamu can appear unexpectedly plain. Here’s what you might see:

• Color Range: Green, black, brown, white, or even red (sometimes all in one boulder)

• Dull Exterior: A chalky or milky rind often conceals any vibrant hues

• Texture: Slightly soapy or waxy when wet

• Potential Translucence: Varieties like kahurangi reveal an almost glowing interior once sliced

Despite these clues, the only sure way to confirm raw pounamu is:

1. A close expert inspection

2. Cutting into the stone to view the interior

A heavier weight or faint green-grey patches can hint at authenticity, but smooth river rocks often deceive even the keenest eye.

 

Is This Greenstone (Pounamu)? How to Tell If Your Find Is the Real Deal

That green beach stone from Ash is just one of many we see in Arrowtown. Nearly every week, someone arrives certain they’ve discovered jade—yet about 99% prove otherwise. In the rare instances my father confirms something genuine, it’s often tangiwai, a glassy, black-and-green variety of pounamu.

“I call these stones ‘Leave-it-rights,”
my father jokes, meaning sometimes it’s better to leave a questionable rock where you found it.

Raw pounamu can look like any other smooth pebble. Without a test cut or detailed examination, you might never know.

 

When You Find Pounamu: What to Consider Before Taking It Home

Many visitors ask about keeping a piece of greenstone they find on the beach. The key is striking a balance between excitement and respect for this treasured stone:

1. Popular Spots on the West Coast
   

• Beaches around Hokitika—especially near the Arahura River mouth—are commonly sought out. There’s no guarantee of success, but it’s one place people regularly try their luck.

2. Enjoy Small Finds
   

• Picking up a tiny pebble in the high-tide zone for a personal keepsake is generally fine.

3. Ask If Unsure
   

• If it’s a larger or very unique piece, Ngāi Tahu—the tribe who are guardians of pounamu—can advise. A local jade workshop can also help identify it.

4. Honor the Resource
   

• Leaving a bigger or especially distinct stone in place preserves its mana (spiritual power) for others to discover, too.

 

From Boulder to Treasured Taonga

When my father begins carving a raw stone, he uses water-cooled diamond-tipped saws to cut into the rough and strong exterior. Suddenly, the true colors and patterns emerge—greens, browns, even reds—like revealing a hidden world. He examines fractures and swirls in the stone, akin to a woodworker studying timber grain, allowing the pounamu’s unique character to guide the final design.

Each piece of pounamu essentially shapes its own destiny. Its mana remains throughout the carving process, weaving cultural heritage into every curve and polish.

 

Beneath the Surface Lies the Treasure

Raw greenstone might look faintly green, dull, or even chalky from the outside. Yet, as Ash’s story shows, you never really know unless you take a closer look—or make that first cut. Many stones turn out to be something else, but the thrill of discovering authentic pounamu keeps people spellbound.

My father, Lee-Roy Mullings (Ngāti Kahungunu), often says:

“If you think you’ve found pounamu and you’re not sure,
it might just be a ‘leave-it-right.’
But if it’s real, you’ll know soon enough.”

If you’re in doubt or want confirmation, visit our Arrowtown workshop or contact us online. Often, it’s a blend of expertise and genuine respect that reveals the hidden soul of pounamu.

Key Insights

Identifying Raw Pounamu

• May appear dull or chalky, masking vibrant color

• Feels heavier, often soapy when wet

• True authenticity usually requires an expert or carefully slicing the stone

Beachcombing & Fossicking

• West Coast beaches near Hokitika & Arahura River are popular spots

• Small pebbles are fine as personal mementos

• For bigger or special finds, consult Ngāi Tahu or a jade expert

• “Leave it right where you found it” can be the best approach

Guardianship and Craft

• Ngāi Tahu are guardians (kaitiaki) of pounamu

• Ancient methods meet modern carving

• Pounamu’s real magic appears once you see beneath its plain exterior

 

A Friendly Reminder

Raw pounamu’s unassuming exterior often hides big surprises. Whether you’re combing West Coast beaches, visiting our Arrowtown workshop, or simply admiring polished pieces in a store, remember that respect, curiosity, and patience go a long way in discovering the real beauty of Aotearoa’s treasured greenstone.