Can You Buy Greenstone for Yourself? The Tradition Behind Gifting Pounamu

If you’ve ever heard that you’re not supposed to buy greenstone for yourself, you’re definitely not the only one. It’s one of those things many Kiwis have grown up hearing — pounamu should be gifted to you, rather than something you choose for yourself.

But can you actually buy greenstone for yourself? Yes, you can.

Gifting pounamu is a meaningful New Zealand tradition, and there’s something pretty special about receiving a piece chosen especially for you. But that doesn’t mean buying your own greenstone is automatically bad luck or disrespectful.

For Kiwis living in Australia especially, choosing a piece of New Zealand greenstone can be about connection to home, whānau, memories or simply finding a pendant whose meaning feels right for where you are in life.

Why is pounamu traditionally given as a gift?

Pounamu has long held cultural importance for Māori and is valued for its strength, beauty and connection to people, place and history. A piece can carry personal, family and community meaning, with its story shaped by the stone, its form and the relationship between the people involved.

Giving a greenstone gift is a familiar way to mark an important relationship or occasion. Someone might give pounamu to recognise a milestone, welcome a new chapter, express care, remember a person or place, or wish someone well. The meaning comes from the whole gesture, not only from the pendant itself.

What does it mean to receive greenstone from someone else?

Receiving pounamu from another person can make a greenstone necklace or pendant especially personal. The giver has chosen something with you in mind, and the wearer may connect the piece with that person, occasion or time in their life for years to come.

For many people, the story of who gave them their pounamu matters as much as the shape or colour of the stone. That is why gifting pounamu is treated with care. It is a tradition with meaning, but the way people understand and practise it can be shaped by their whānau, community and own experience.

Is buying your own greenstone bad luck?

You may have heard that buying your own greenstone brings bad luck. It is a common saying, but it does not mean people are forbidden from buying pounamu for themselves. Many people choose their own piece and feel completely comfortable with that decision.

Some Kiwis prefer to receive pounamu as a gift because that is how they were taught the tradition. Others see buying their own greenstone as a meaningful way to mark a move, a new stage of life, a connection to Aotearoa or their experience of living in Australia. Ultimately, it comes down to what feels right for you and how you understand the tradition.

Why do people buy pounamu for themselves?

For many Kiwis living in Australia, choosing a piece for themselves can be a little connection back to New Zealand — something familiar to wear every day, even when home is across the Tasman.

Buying your own piece also gives you time to choose a design that feels right. You can think about the shape, the story behind it, the maker’s approach and what you would like the pendant to represent. Buying pounamu for yourself can be a personal decision without taking away from the special place gifting has in New Zealand culture.

Choosing a greenstone pendant by meaning

Greenstone meanings are often linked with the shape of a pendant. These associations can help you choose a piece, although the meaning you give it will always be personal.

Toki

The toki is associated with strength, determination, leadership and taking on responsibility.

Koru

The koru is linked with growth, renewal and new beginnings, inspired by the unfurling fern frond.

Hei Matau, or hook

The hei matau is associated with safe travel, strength, abundance and a connection with the sea.

Roimata

Roimata means “tear” and is often connected with comfort, remembrance, empathy and emotional strength.

Twist

The twist represents connection, friendship, loyalty and bonds that continue through change.

If you'd like to explore these shapes in more detail, our guide to 5 New Zealand Greenstone Necklaces & Their Meanings looks more closely at some of the most popular designs and the meanings traditionally associated with them.

Caring for pounamu and building a connection over time

Pounamu is durable, but it still benefits from simple care. Remove your pendant before activities where it could be knocked or scratched, and avoid exposing it unnecessarily to harsh chemicals. Wipe it with a soft, damp cloth and store it where it will not rub against harder jewellery.

A piece can become more meaningful through the occasions it accompanies, the people it reminds you of and the memories you build while wearing it. That can be true of a gifted pendant and one you chose for yourself.

If you’d like to have a look at the different shapes and styles available, you can browse our New Zealand Greenstone collection. Take your time, read each description and choose a design that feels relevant to your own story.

Can you buy greenstone for yourself? The takeaway

Yes, you can buy greenstone for yourself. Gifting pounamu remains a meaningful New Zealand tradition, and receiving a piece chosen by someone else can carry a special sense of relationship and occasion. Buying your own New Zealand greenstone is also a valid choice. Learn about the tradition, choose from a reputable source and let the meaning of the piece develop in a way that feels right for you.

Frequently asked questions

Can you buy greenstone for yourself in New Zealand?

Yes. Many people choose their own pounamu, while others prefer to receive it as a greenstone gift. Take the approach that fits your understanding of the tradition and your reason for choosing a piece.

Is buying pounamu for yourself bad luck?

You may have heard that buying your own pounamu is bad luck, but plenty of people choose their own piece. Others prefer to follow the tradition of receiving greenstone as a gift. It really comes down to your own beliefs and what the tradition means to you., but people are not forbidden from buying pounamu for themselves. Some prefer gifted greenstone, while others are happy to choose their own.

What is the best greenstone shape for a gift?

There is no one best shape. A toki can suit a milestone, a koru a new beginning, a hei matau a traveller, a roimata someone needing comfort, and a twist an important relationship.

How should I care for a greenstone necklace?

Keep it away from harsh chemicals and hard knocks, wipe it with a soft damp cloth, and store it separately from harder jewellery. Follow any care advice supplied by the maker or retailer.