About the project
Follow the stone.
Then follow the evidence.
Rare Stones of Aotearoa explores the geology, history and human stories behind some of New Zealand’s most unusual stones.
The project begins with stones that are easy to describe badly.
Goodletite becomes “New Zealand ruby.” Aotea is confused with malachite or amazonite. Old place names migrate. Dealer descriptions become geological facts by repetition.
Rare Stones of Aotearoa goes back to the record: historical reports, scientific papers, museum specimens, labels, photographs and the landscapes themselves.
Evidence before folklore
Commercial descriptions are not treated as geological authority when stronger primary or scholarly sources exist.
Uncertainty stays visible
A historical report is labelled as a historical report. A geological interpretation is not rewritten as an eyewitness fact.
People are part of the geology
Miners, collectors, teachers, scientists and museum workers shaped what was noticed, preserved and eventually understood.
Sources remain findable
Companion articles preserve references and context beyond what can fit naturally into an audio episode.
“The most revealing specimen is sometimes the one that preserved enough of its surroundings to explain the beautiful part.”
Contribute
Corrections are welcome.
If you have a historical photograph, museum reference, old specimen label, provenance trail or evidence that changes part of a story, get in touch.
Contact the project↗