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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 70
[other authorities]
Major Heaphy, already quoted, gave, in 1862, a brief description of the qualities of greenstone:—
Of pounamu there are the following kinds, namely:—
| 1. | The lnanga.—This is the most valued by the Maoris. It is rather opaque in appearance, and is traversed with creamy-coloured veins. The best meres are usually made of this stone. |
| 2. | The Kauairangi [Kahurangi].—This is of bright green colour, with darker shades or mottled, and is the most translucent. It is a brittle material and not easily worked. Far-pendants are frequently made of it. |
| 3. | The Kawakawa.—This is of a dark olive-green, and has rather a dull and opaque appearance, Hei-tiki and ear-pendants are composed of it. |
| 4. | Makatangiwat [= Kokotangiwat].—This is the least esteemed by the Maoris, but by far the most beautiful of all. It is a clear pale-green, and is very translucent. The natives will drill a hole through a pebble of it and hang it to a child's ear, but do not care to fashion it into any shape. It is the only kind of pounamu that would be esteemed for the purposes of ornament by Europeans. |
[Note.—Kawakawa is now largely used for jewellery in the colony.]