All Pounamu Has a Story

The deepest stories are created when someone with a vision of meaning and purpose works with a Carver to create Pounamu Taonga.

Campbell Carving showcases the work of Campbell Potter

I take most of inspiration from my cultural heritage as a descendant of Te Ati Awa as well as from Nature, particularly water and rivers.

I try to show the beauty and character of the stone. I like things that are a bit different to the normal or the traditional yet are still based on these recognisable inspirations.  I particularly like patterned stone where there are inclusions of other materials that add contrast to the piece.

My pieces look like stone, beautiful, natural stone. I hand sand and polish every piece I make. Hand sanding means the edges fold into each other and the curves flow together this gives a hand crafted look and feel. I am not, however, a precision carver, my carving has the organic and asymmetrical shape of stone.

Pounamu

Formed deep under the Southern Alps of New Zealands South Island

Pounamu, Jade, and Greenstone are all the same thing. Nephrite is the geological term for the majority of the stone that is found in Aotearoa New Zealand. It forms when two contrasting rock types, are fused under high heat-and-pressure conditions deep within the Earth’s crust.  It is largely made up of the mineral tremolite, the deep green colour is from small amounts of iron and chromium.


Pounamu, Jade, Greenstone? What is the difference?

The Spiritual Side

There is value that you cannot see

Pounamu is a porous material, literally.  It will soak up small amounts of oil or wax or other substances.

To me this is the same as the energy, thoughts, behaviours, actions, and intentions of the person and people near a Pounamu Taonga.  These things will shape the Wairua/Spirit of it. The Wairua/Spirit can also be influenced through blessings prayer to clear negative energies or mark a significant occasion such as gifting of a Pounamu, it is important to use water for this.

There is a strong connection between this stone and water as it has most often been found in or near a water source. I believe these blessings do not need to be in Maori necessarily, the important part is that the words align with your intention and with your beliefs.


Does Pounamu have to be gifted?

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For custom commission pieces, please contact me