While often referred to as jade, pounamu is actually a combination of two different minerals:
* Nephrite: This is the most common type of pounamu and is a hard, durable stone known for its green, grey, or brown coloration.
* Bowenite: A less common type of pounamu, it is characterized by a translucent, yellowish-green appearance.
Pounamu was highly prized by the Maori for its beauty, durability, and cultural significance. It was used to create a wide variety of artifacts, including tools, weapons, ornaments, and ceremonial objects.
The hunt for pounamu was often perilous, as it required traveling to remote and challenging areas, such as the Southern Alps. The stone's significance and the challenges of obtaining it cemented its cultural importance for the Maori.