The soft, pale tones of the jade known as auhunga aren't often seen outside of a Maori community, where the stone is quite well respected. This lovely piece of auhunga was found in the Hokitika River, and has been carved to create a form known as a maripi-niho, or tooth-bladed knife. The stone sports soft and pale grey-green hues in a mottled pattern, allowing it to blend beautifully with most lighter-coloured outfits and to create a striking contrast with darker outfits that nevertheless seems to work very well.
 
Measuring in at 111mm long and 33mm wide, this piece is thick enough to be robust without being too heavy for everyday wear. It's a bold piece suited to the lover of the large, and reflects an instrument of everyday utility in the lives of Maori in pre-settlement times.