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.
Carved ornamental mineral
- nephriteSilicate mineral, greenish
- serpentineCurving in repeated bends
- aventurineMica-flecked quartz variety
- amazoniteGreen microcline variety
chrysoprase · malachite · bloodstone · jadeite · cabochon · polished · veined · translucent
Undergoing structural change
- volcanicOf fiery mountain origin
- basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
- chloriteGreen sheet silicate mineral
- alteredChanged from before
oceanic · seafloor · Archean · Precambrian · schist · hydrothermal · tectonic · mineral
jade
Carved ornamental mineral
- nephriteSilicate mineral, greenish
- serpentineCurving in repeated bends
- aventurineMica-flecked quartz variety
amazonite · chrysoprase · malachite · bloodstone · jadeite · cabochon · polished · veined · translucent · lapidary
metamorphic
Undergoing structural change
- volcanicOf fiery mountain origin
- basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
- chloriteGreen sheet silicate mineral
altered · oceanic · seafloor · Archean · Precambrian · schist · hydrothermal · tectonic · mineral · formation
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
artifact
Human-made historical object
celt · polished · Neolithic · prehistoric · trade · ceremonial · blade · grinding · haft · flaked