27 Nov 2025
Choosing pounamu is often more emotional than people expect. You might begin by exploring different shapes and colours, but at some point a piece stands out. You keep coming back to it. Something about it feels right - even if you can’t explain exactly why.
We hear this every day in our stores and from people who shop with us online:
“I didn’t expect it, but that was the one.”
This guide is for anyone wanting to understand that feeling, and to help you choose a piece you’ll enjoy wearing for years.
People describe it in different ways. Some say it feels familiar. Others notice a pull, or a quiet certainty. Sometimes it’s a colour or a pattern you didn’t think you’d like at first. Sometimes it’s the shape or the way the carving sits in your hand.
It isn’t about symbolism or tradition - it’s something simpler: the moment a piece feels like yours. That feeling is worth trusting.
You don’t need technical knowledge to choose pounamu well. Start with these things:
Pounamu ranges from deep greens to soft, cloudy tones. Notice what you’re drawn to when you’re not overthinking it. There is no right or wrong answer.
Some pieces have streaks or subtle shifts in tone that catch the light. Others are bold and solid. Neither is better - it’s whatever you find yourself looking back at.
Pounamu has presence. Some people prefer a lighter feel, others like the grounding weight of a thicker piece.
Do you like strong lines? Soft curves? Smaller pieces or ones that make a statement? Let your eye settle on the shapes that make you pause.
Every artist works differently. Some carve with gentle flow, others with sharper precision. You’ll naturally connect with some styles more than others.
A pounamu piece carries the character of the stone, the choices of the artist, and the moment you’re choosing it in.
Patterns, variations, small inclusions - these make each piece unique. The right one often has a detail that catches your attention again and again.
Carvers shape the stone in a way that aligns with their own style and experience. You might find yourself drawn to the work of one artist more than another without even realising it.
People often choose pieces that reflect where they’ve been, or where they’re going next - even when they’re not consciously thinking about it.
Meanings are part of many designs, but you don’t have to choose by symbolism. Most people choose based on connection first.
Toki are often chosen by people who relate to their strong, confident shape - a design that feels steady and intentional. They can symbolise personal growth or a readiness for a new challenge, making them a meaningful choice during changes in life or work. Explore Toki Designs.
Twists speak to connection - the weaving together of two paths or the continuation of a bond over time. Many people choose them to mark relationships, partnerships, or the idea of staying connected across distance. Explore Twist Designs.
Koru carry a sense of movement and new beginnings, with their soft unfurling shape reflecting positive change. They’re often chosen during moments of transition, when someone is starting something new or stepping into a fresh chapter. Explore Koru Designs.
The hei matau is linked to safe travel, guidance, and connection to the water - chosen by those who feel close to the ocean or who move often. It’s a design that carries a sense of direction and protection without being overstated. Explore Hei Matau (Hook) Designs.
Discs are calm, balanced pieces that suit people who appreciate simplicity and clean form. They have a gentle presence and are often worn as a reminder to stay centred and grounded. Explore Disc Designs.
If you plan to wear it every day, think about size and how it will sit on your chest.
When choosing for someone else, lean towards pieces with gentle colours or classic shapes. The safest choices are koru, twist, or a smaller toki.
Silver or gold will lift the look; traditional cord keeps the focus on the pounamu.
If you’re active, pieces that sit close to the body usually feel best.
Choosing pounamu isn’t a rushed decision. It’s common for people to browse for days or weeks, narrowing down pieces until one stands out. If you keep returning to the same piece - even after looking at many others - that’s usually the sign.
Let the process be slow. The right piece stays with you.
When you choose pounamu with Mountain Jade, you’re exploring the work of a collective of Māori carvers who carve side by side every day - seven artists, each with their own style, influences, and strengths. Our workshop isn’t built on hierarchy; it’s built on whānau. Everyone brings something different, and everyone shapes the environment we carve in.
Some of our artists have been carving for decades; others are growing quickly into their own voice and design style. What makes this place special is how naturally that knowledge flows in every direction. It’s a space where talent grows because people genuinely want to see each other succeed.
This kind of workshop can’t be imitated. Follow our carvers fitness journey on instagram, or Aka's work on his TikTok channel with millions of views.
We also collaborate with the largest collection of artists in the country, with regular visits to the South Island, to meet with the greatest people in the industry. Every carving you see online is photographed honestly, and you receive the exact piece you choose.
When you choose pounamu from Mountain Jade, you’re supporting the development of real artists, their whānau, their ideas, and their future.
There’s no “correct” way to choose pounamu. Choose the piece you feel drawn to - the one that sits comfortably in your hand and feels right when you picture yourself wearing it. Those pieces always end up being the ones with the deepest meaning.
