Certainly a modern necklace, these greenstone dog tags are a nod to history. They're smooth to the touch and showoff the beautiful natural patterns within the jade.
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Why Choose Pounamu
If you're looking for a reason to buy something meaningful, and haven't quite made your mind up yet, read our top 10 reasons to gift. From supporting local artists, to the deep meaning associated to the stone.
Our Packaging
We consider every element we use, when packing your piece. From sustainable materials to meaningful details such as artist profile cards. We offer a Premium Gift Wrapping service, available at the checkout.
Our Promise
Hand carved
Smooth lines, soft finishes, no scratches and no cuts.
Sustainable packaging
Wherever possible we use sustainable packaging.
Gift wrapping
We offer a Premium Gift Wrapping service.
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The Toki is a symbol of strength and determination
Once a tool wielded by Māori, when worn around the neck the Toki represents courage, and with courage comes strength and power.The Toki holds great significance in Māori culture as a powerful symbol of mana (prestige) and honour.
James Pirika
The artist behind this creationJames Pirika is an emerging New Zealand pounamu carver who has learned his craft in our Rotorua studio working alongside leading artists such as Tamaora Walker and John Sheehan Jnr. His designs are inspired by his culture and heritage, and he's known for carving bold, powerful pieces. James is constantly humbled to learn a significant part of his culture and heritage through carving jade. Maori people didn’t have a written language, they would instead utilise carvings to remind themselves of their past, learning and passing their stories and heritage onto future generations. James is most passionate when it comes to the traditional meanings behind the designs and the stone, strongly believing that it brings people together globally. It is found around the world and so many cultures have seen it as an important element in their culture and identity.
Traditionally, the toki or adze was expertly lashed to carved wooden shafts and wielded as tools and ceremonial objects by Māori.
The Toki
Toki are now worn around the neck as a symbol of strength and courage. This association links back to when toki blades crafted from pounamu were used as woodcutting tools due to pounamu's exceptional strength. It is said the Toki takes on the mauri or life force of the wearer, and this essence is passed from generation to generation.