Pounamu FAQs

What Tikanga is followed in the production of our Pounamu?

Boh (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine and Chinese) wanted to introduce pounamu to Boh Runga jewellery because of her own story and love of our precious greenstone. She wanted to share the beauty of pounamu and offer it to the lovers of her jewellery designs, to create their own journey and make their own stories with pounamu at the heart. We source our pounamu from Te Waipounamu and engage local crafts people to carve the stone in limited batches when available. Although a contemporary take, we recognise the significance of our taonga and share it in a modern but respectful way.

Can you purchase our pounamu for yourself? 

While there is a strong history of gifting pounamu within Māori culture, there is now more acceptance of purchasing it for yourself. There is nothing culturally insensitive or disrespectful about doing so, but we do encourage the gifting of our pounamu as this is what bestows mana upon both the stone and the receiver. Pounamu is a taonga (treasure) that was prized as both currency and a means of coalescing Māori whakapapa (birthright and genealogy). Traditionally pounamu was handed down through generations, and these pieces were the most revered. I have designed my range of pounamu as a way for people to wear and share our precious jade every day. To mark an achievement or milestone, or to be gifted to someone you love and respect, is my intention for all of my pieces of jewellery.

Where is our Pounamu sourced from? 

Our Pounamu is found exclusively in Te Waipounamu (the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand). Locations include: various rivers in Arahura, Hokitika and Greymouth. The light very clean green is Inanga, the stronger green with the black inclusions is Kakakawa.