Overview
There are many varieties of pounamu in addition to the four main groups.
The most distinctive is kokopu, a speckled pounamu. It is named after three native freshwater trout species (Galaxidae family), which have similar colouring and spots on their skin.
A pounamu variety from the Nelson district is silvery grey. Serpentinite is a form of pounamu which is transparent. Another characteristic of pounamu is seen in the small chatoyant (shimmering) boulder. This effect can be found in most varieties, sometimes appearing as bright bands through the stone.
