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Originally Posted by kronckew
i think it varies more by location the stone is found. the really dark green almost black with gold-ish flecks i hear is most prized. i also have read that the various maori tribes protect their sources. some stones are found on the beaches too.
i would expect that really high quality jade meres would be out of my price range  i'm lucky i could afford my one. |
As I have said before in this thread, the GOOD old examples in Museums here are generally dark green to almost black in colour.
The best greenstone is reputed to come from the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Indeed the Maori name for the South Island is Te Wai Pounamu.
I agree that the source of the good stuff was kept secret in the past, but today the location is known, BUT one needs a Permit to gather greenstone, and that is jealously guarded. It is still found as large boulders in the rivers of the West Coast.