Jade

Hand Carved Jade Pendants and Necklaces - Carved in New Zealand by Local Artists and Jade Carvers

This collection contains our wide selection of handcrafted New Zealand Jade Jewellery. Local artists carve all of our pendants and necklaces from the highest quality New Zealand jade.

For every item, we provide a description of the materials used, and we describe and explain the significance of the design and its traditional meaning.

SCROLL DOWN, AND YOU CAN VIEW THE INDIVIDUAL JADE NECKLACES AND PENDANTS THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE FOR SALE.

We have taken individual photographs and brief videos of each piece, and we provide detailed information on the physical dimensions of every pendant and necklace. We are proud to provide unique jewellery, handcrafted from rare and beautiful New Zealand jade.

Jade carving has a long tradition in New Zealand. Early Māori recognised the material as valuable for making tools, jewellery and for negotiating and striking agreements and establishing relationships among tribes to promote trade. Pounamu, as it is named in Māori, was a very early and valuable form of tender.

With the advent of the iron age, jade's use for making tools diminished and it became primarily valued for its rarity and beauty. This led to a stronger focus on carving jewellery and sculptural pieces in jade. Interestingly, early designs paid tribute to things important to Māori. A matau (or hook) design, a toki, or adze – both objects that were fundamental to a tribes survival, captured in valuable pounamu and worn in honour of these valuable tools.

Jewellery was also carved with spiritual meaning:

  • The Manaia, which is believed to be a rendition of a kind God, a pendant worn to establish a connection with ancestors
  • The Tiki – First Man, a symbol of loyalty and strength and believed to foster fertility
  • The Pikorua, or twist – a symbol of relationships and their enduring and strong foundations. Often gifted to recognise partnerships between individuals, but also given across tribal boundaries to establish connections for trade and to negotiate peace
  • The Wheku – the face of an ancestor. These were typically carved in wood and positioned at the gable of a meeting house. A symbol of honour to ancestral spirits. These are also carved in jade and worn as recognition of heritage and regard for one's ancestors.

If you are interested in understanding more about the various carving designs and the spiritual qualities of jade, you can find more information HERE.

Jade is not only a beautiful material, but it is also very tough. In New Zealand, it is formed in our South Island's alpine fault under immense heat and pressure. The molten rock folds, twists and mixes, changing crystalline structures and producing a greenstone of beauty and strength – New Zealand Pounamu. This means that jade jewellery is resilient and will last forever if cared for.

We provide all pieces on hand-plaited, highest quality polyester cord. This is a flexible and strong cord that will last a long time and can be replaced from time to time if necessary. We can make these cords adjustable, or provide then at a fixed length determined by you, with a loop and jade toggle fixture – your choice. Generally, we will supply the pendants with an adjustable cord so that you can position the piece to suit.

Somewhat unique to New Zealand jade is the variation in colour and structure of the stone found here. Minerals around the melting rock become included in the molten mass, and they change the colour and look of the jade as it cools and solidifies. This has produced some glorious variations in our local jade, making it visually unique and very Kiwi. The physical composition of New Zealand jade is the same as nephrite jade found in other parts of the world, but our jade, our pounamu is steeped with our history and certainly has captured and contains a piece of our land.

In New Zealand jade carvings have a spiritual significance that comes from the Māori tradition of handing significant pieces of jade art down through their families. They believe that jade absorbs and hold mana, or the spirit, of every person who has worn it. This gives specific pieces of jade historical and familial value – they become family heirlooms and are regarded as 'Taonga' or treasures. Because the spirits of ancestors are believed to be captured in the stone, these pieces are treated as family members - revered and respected. They form a significant part of the family history, and it is not unusual for the history of the family to be verbally passed on with the particular piece of jade.

This high regard for jade is not unique to New Zealand. Many other cultures also have profound spiritual respect for jade, and it can be found recorded in their histories – the Chinese have mined and worked jade for over 9,000 years and regard it as a symbol of wealth and status. They also, like Māori, believe that it can have a positive impact on physical and mental well-being.

An old Chinese proverb says: Gold has a price, Jade is priceless – it is the unique quality of each piece of jade that stands it apart from other valuable gemstones. This is one of the qualities that is spectacularly evident in jade from New Zealand and which ensures that each piece of hand carved jewellery is individual and unique.

To read more about the different types of New Zealand Jade we use for our jewellery, we have more information for you HERE.

We guarantee the quality of our jewellery and will accept returns up to 30 days of your receipt if the piece you have selected isn't quite what you expected - see our returns policy HERE.

Please contact us with any questions - use LiveChat if we're online, or send us an email: info@nzpacific.com

We Offer Free Worldwide Shipping – although local import duties or taxes, if any, will be your responsibility to pay.

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  • This is a wonderful New Zealand Jade and bone drop pendant with bird carving.This is a wonderful New Zealand Jade and bone drop pendant with bird carving.
    NZ Pacific
    MANAWA ORA
    MANAWA ORA - a magnificent, work of art to wear! Hand carved by Andrew Doughty. A description of this piece in the artists words... This taonga has been named Manawa ora which means Hope. I like that it also hasthe double meaning of 'breath...
    $1,602.00 AUD
    $1,602.00 AUD
  • This is a wonderful New Zealand Jade drop pendant.This is a wonderful New Zealand Jade drop pendant.
    NZ Pacific
    POU KAHA
    POU KAHA - a jade drop pendant for lovers of colour and art to wear! Hand carved by Andrew Doughty, this is a pendant that highlights the beauty of our flower jade. A description of this piece in the artists words... This simple Taonga...
    $352.00 AUD
    $352.00 AUD
  • This is a wonderful New Zealand Jade drop pendant with whale bone koru and brass inlay.This is a wonderful New Zealand Jade drop pendant with whale bone koru and brass inlay.
    NZ Pacific
    MUTUNGA KORE
    MUTUNGA KORE - a special Jade drop pendant with whale bone inlay Hand carved for us by Andrew Doughty. MUTUNGA KORE.... endless, eternal, perpetual, infinite A description of this beautiful piece in the artist's words... This simple Taonga is named Mutunga kore meaning endless,...
    $604.00 AUD
    $604.00 AUD
  • This is a wonderful New Zealand Jade drop pendant with whale bone koru and brass inlay.This is a wonderful New Zealand Jade drop pendant with whale bone koru and brass inlay.
    NZ Pacific
    ĀKE TONU ATU
    ĀKE TONU ATU - a striking Jade drop pendant with whale bone koru and silver inlay Hand carved for us by Andrew Doughty. ĀKE TONU ATU - forever more, eternity A description explaining the ambition behind this piece from the artist... This simple Taonga...
    $622.00 AUD
    $622.00 AUD
  • Hand carved large Guatemalan Jadeite drop pendant.Hand carved large Guatemalan Jadeite drop pendant.
    NZ Pacific
    A DROP IN THE OCEAN
    A DROP IN THE OCEAN - large drop pendant carved in Guatemalan Jadeite. Artist: Kerry Thompson Crafted from Guatemalan jadeite, this wonderful drop pendant is a beauty! It is weighty and very tactile. The stone itself, revered by the Mayans as a sacred, living thing,...
    $597.00 AUD
    $597.00 AUD
  • Hand carved small New Zealand Jade and Sterling Silver stud earrings.Hand carved small New Zealand Jade and Sterling Silver stud earrings.
    NZ Pacific
    POUNAMU STUDS
    POUNAMU STUDS - Carved stud earrings from beautiful New Zealand Jade with Sterling Silver, small and beautiful! Hand made from New Zealand pounamu by Amanda Thompson. POUNAMU STUDS are lovingly packaged in a woven kete pouch. Delivery with Express Courier is included in the...
    $205.00 AUD
    $205.00 AUD
  • Hand carved small New Zealand Jade and Sterling Silver stud earrings.Hand carved small New Zealand Jade and Sterling Silver stud earrings.
    NZ Pacific
    GREEN GARDEN
    GREEN GARDEN - Carved stud earrings from beautiful New Zealand Jade with Sterling Silver, small and beautiful! Hand made from New Zealand pounamu by Amanda Thompson. GREEN GARDEN are lovingly packaged in a woven kete pouch. Delivery with Express Courier is included in the...
    $205.00 AUD
    $205.00 AUD
  • This picture shows a large traditional manaia pendant carved in New Zealand Jade.This picture shows a large traditional manaia pendant carved in New Zealand Jade.
    NZ Pacific
    EYES WIDE
    EYES WIDE - a very Large Traditional Manaia Pendant, Hand Carved in New Zealand Pounamu with Pāua Shell eyes A powerfully carved manaia, this pendant radiates a commanding guardian presence. Meticulously hand-carved from New Zealand jade. The traditional application of Pāua shell eyes completes...
    $1,878.00 AUD
    $1,878.00 AUD
  • Hand made large New Zealand jade toki pendant.Hand made large New Zealand jade toki pendant.
    NZ Pacific
    EVERGREEN
    EVERGREEN - green jade toki pendant The Jade Kerry has used for this toki is exquisite - a gorgeous pale, striated Inanga Jade. Beautiful stone with a lovely chatoyance* utilised masterfully. EVERGREEN is a large, Toki, hand carved and polished to a low sheen,...
    $488.00 AUD
    $488.00 AUD
  • New Zealand Jade hook pendantNew Zealand Jade hook pendant
    NZ Pacific
    FREELANCE
    FREELANCE - small, handmade matau pendant carved from a beautiful piece of New Zealand jade A small, lightweight jade hook pendant, featuring a beautiful bluey green stone carved into a clean and balanced shape. Its subtle elegance is perfect for everyday wear. On the...
    $174.00 AUD
    $219.00 AUD
    $174.00 AUD
  • New Zealand Jade hook pendantNew Zealand Jade hook pendant
    NZ Pacific
    THE TRAVELLER
    THE TRAVELLER - small handmade matau pendant in New Zealand jade Carved from serene, pale green jade, this petite hook pendant offers a minimalist and modern pendant. Its lightweight design and well-proportioned shape make it an effortlessly elegant piece for daily wear. The matte...
    $219.00 AUD
    $219.00 AUD
  • Hand carved New Zealand Jade whale tail pendant.Hand carved New Zealand Jade whale tail pendant.
    NZ Pacific
    THE WAY OF THE WAVE
    THE WAY OF THE WAVE: Whale's Fluke in Jade Carved from solid New Zealand jade, this pendant captures the powerful, graceful movement of a whale's fluke in mid-motion - a moment frozen in stone. Anchored in Māori legend, where whales guided ancestral canoes to...
    $494.00 AUD
    $494.00 AUD
  • Hand crafted large, New Zealand Jade drop earrings with Sterling Silver Hooks. Jade drop earrings, packaged in a woven kete pouch.Hand crafted large, New Zealand Jade drop earrings with Sterling Silver Hooks. Jade drop earrings, packaged in a woven kete pouch.
    NZ Pacific
    NATURE'S BEAUTY
    NATURE'S BEAUTY - Beautifully handcrafted, fine drop earrings made from New Zealand Jade Slender, stylish and elegant, these earrings are handcrafted from New Zealand jade. Stone born in the majestic mountains of Aotearoa. These carry the essence of nature’s beauty... timeless and meaningful. A...
    $266.00 AUD
    $266.00 AUD

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