jade, nephrite, New Zealand, gems

Sinkankas: Described by Henry Devenish Skinner, Director Emeritus of the Otago Museum, as “the most authoritative book ever written on New Zealand nephrite and bowenite” (p. 7), this work covers all aspects of the subject. Topics include the definition of Māori terminology; the history and legends associated with jade; the locations of nephrite, bowenite, and serpentine deposits, both alluvial and in situ (accompanied by maps); the origin and properties of nephrite; methods of jade working employed by the Māori and by modern craftsmen; and practical advice for contemporary jade workers. The book is richly illustrated, with numerous photographs depicting different jade varieties under both reflected and transmitted light, artefacts, jade boulders, landscapes of the jade-producing regions, and views of modern lapidary workshops. The history of modern jade working in New Zealand is also thoroughly covered. Reviewing the work in the Journal of Gemmology 12(8), 1971, pp. 363–364, Michael O’Donoghue remarked that “the coloured illustrations are particularly meritorious.” A further review appeared in Gems & Gemology 13(3), p. 84.