Regarded as a taonga (treasure) in New Zealand and a gift from Papatūānuku (Mother Earth), pounamu is a limited resource that must be safeguarded.

So, what does that mean for Mountain Jade?

It means we are committed to protecting our treasure, the environment it is found, and the community in which we do business. We will always strive to do as least harm as possible when creating our carvings.

We’ve got several initiatives underway to reduce our impact, like engaging with artists who share our values, and reducing the amount of packaging and waste we produce. We’re proud of what we’re doing in the sustainability space, but there’s plenty more to do! Here are some sustainable actions we currently champion and some goals we are working towards.

New Zealand is the only country in the world that does not mine for its jade, the stone is instead fossicked in riverbeds and glacial valleys. In the late 1990s, the New Zealand government vested ownership and guardianship of all pounamu to the South Island tribe of Ngāi Tahu. As kaitiaki (guardians), Ngāi Tahu ensures any raw pounamu is sustainably and ethically sourced to make sure our taonga (treasure) is safeguarded for future generations. This includes not just caring for the stone but also protecting and advocating for the rivers it comes from, the artists that shape it and the communities that surround it.

Under their leadership, the Ngāi Tahu Authentic Pounamu Licensing Scheme was borne, and we were the first New Zealand retailer to be registered. Being licensed grants us the ability to purchase raw stone certified as genuine New Zealand pounamu directly from Ngāi Tahu to carve in our studios.

We are committed to carving stones that will last for generations. However, everything needs a little love from time to time. The way you care for your jade can have the biggest impact on the environment, so we’ve put together some product care advice to help you look after your pendant or jewellery and make sure it can be cherished forever.

Occasionally, cords can come unravelled, and accidents can occur, such as chipping or cracking your stone on a hard surface. If this happens, don’t panic. We know that repairing before replacing is easier on the earth, so we have put together recommendations to help you fix your jade pendant or jewellery and help to protect our limited resource.

We love it when you visit us in Rotorua and Auckland International Airport, and we want to make sure the experience you receive has as little impact as possible on the environment.

In our retail stores we use halcyon LED lights which carry an A/A+ energy rating, and ensure all heating and air conditioning units are on timers and do not run unnecessarily. Our store fit out uses considered materials, prioritising items which are durable and reusable, and choosing resources which are sustainable and natural, including glass, metal, and wood. We also pick locally available resources when possible.

In our carving studios, we aim to reduce pollution which comes from our creations by using multiple ‘settling tanks’ to ensure any water leaving the premise is as clean as possible. We conserve energy by turning off our machinery when its not in use and use non-toxic materials where possible.