Care & Wearing
Once you have a piece of pounamu, the questions shift from meaning to everyday life: how to wear it, how to look after it, and what to do if something goes wrong.
This hub covers the practical side of living with pounamu, from who can wear it and why people choose to wear it daily, to caring for the stone over the long term and understanding what a crack or break actually means. If you're still deciding what to buy, our Buying & Gifting guides cover that ground instead.
Can Anyone Wear Pounamu?
Who can wear pounamu, and how to do so with respect for its cultural significance.
Read GuideBenefits of Wearing Pounamu
The personal and cultural meaning behind wearing pounamu day to day.
Read GuideHow to Care for Pounamu
Practical guidance on cleaning, storing, and looking after your pounamu for years to come.
Read GuideWhat Happens If Pounamu Breaks?
What a crack or break means, and what you can do if it happens to your piece.
Read GuidePounamu Greenstone Necklace
Cords, silver settings, and durability, what to know before you buy.
Read GuideFrequently Asked Questions About Pounamu Care & Wearing
There are no universal rules, but learning about tikanga and wearing it with genuine respect for its cultural significance is encouraged, however it came into your hands. See can anyone wear pounamu for the full picture.
Beyond its beauty, many people wear pounamu for its personal and cultural meaning, treating it as a daily connection to identity, whakapapa, or a specific intention. Our guide on the benefits of wearing pounamu covers this in more depth.
Pounamu is a durable stone, but the cord it's strung on usually wears out long before the stone does, and periodic cleaning and careful storage help keep a piece looking its best. See how to care for pounamu for practical guidance.
A crack or break isn't the end of a piece's story for many people, some see it as marking a significant moment or absorbing something on your behalf. Our guide on what happens if pounamu breaks covers both the practical and cultural side of this.
Beyond the design itself, the cord material and how the piece will actually be worn day to day make a real difference to how long it lasts. See our pounamu greenstone necklace guide before you buy.