Greenstone

New Zealand town

Greenstone refers to various dark green metamorphic rocks, typically altered basalt or similar volcanic rock.

The green color comes from minerals like chlorite, epidote, or actinolite formed during metamorphism.

In archaeology, greenstone describes any green stone used for tools or ornaments: a greenstone axe, greenstone beads.

New Zealand greenstone, or pounamu, is jade highly valued in Māori culture.

mineral

jade

Carved ornamental mineral

amazonite · chrysoprase · malachite · bloodstone · jadeite · cabochon · polished · veined · translucent · lapidary

geological

metamorphic

Undergoing structural change

altered · oceanic · seafloor · Archean · Precambrian · schist · hydrothermal · tectonic · mineral · formation

Maori

tiki

Polynesian deity figure

  • mereNothing beyond what's stated
  • adzeTransverse-bladed hewing implement
  • pendantSuspended jewelry ornament

carving · mana · sacred · ancestral · New Zealand · South Island · tribal · heirloom · gift · treasure

archaeological

artifact

Human-made historical object

  • toolDevice for a task
  • axeBladed tool for chopping
  • adzeTransverse-bladed hewing implement

celt · polished · Neolithic · prehistoric · trade · ceremonial · blade · grinding · haft · flaked

Opposites
authenticity/naturalness

Greenstonefake

Not the real thing

imitation · synthetic · artificial · man-made · counterfeit

cultural value (NZ/Māori context)

Greenstonemass-produced

Made in large quantities

profane

geological color/type

Greenstoneredstone

Fictional conductive mineral powder

bluestone · whitestone · brownstone

Family

green, stone, greens, greener, greenest, greenish, greenly, greenness, stones

Familiarity
Top 1,000,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G