Puawai Jade

gift shop — Owhata · Rotorua

About Puawai Jade

A pounamu shop on the corner of Tutanekai Street and Eat Street in Rotorua, which the business describes as a manufacturer of pounamu and high end jewellery. Pounamu, also called greenstone, is sold as carvings, jewellery and taonga. The website's galleries show hei tiki, manaia, koru, toki and hei matau pieces, along with contemporary jewellery. Pieces are sourced from New Zealand, and the website explains traditional meanings and how pounamu forms. Custom pounamu can be commissioned through the website, and the website shows a gallery of previously sold pieces to help people choose. Carvings can be sent overseas. One reviewer had a carving posted to the UK and says it arrived safely.

Reviewers say the staff are knowledgeable, helpful and patient, and one says the prices are reasonable for high quality jewellery. Customers mention the stunning pieces and the friendly, informative staff. One customer could not find the exact piece they wanted, and the salesperson pointed them to another shop that had it.