South Island · Aotearoa New Zealand

The Stone
Atlas

Explore the places behind Rare Stones of Aotearoa.

Episode 01 · Westland

WestlandRimu

Westland

Goodletite

Rimu

Rimu and the wider Hokitika district are central to the Goodletite story. The rock is recovered from transported boulders and alluvial material here, while its original bedrock source remains unresolved.

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Episode 02 · South Westland

South WestlandMakawhio / Mahitahi

South Westland

Aotea

Makawhio / Mahitahi

Makawhio is the classic locality associated with Aotea Stone. Material from this river system helped establish the modern geological identity of the stone.

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Episode 03 · Golden Bay

Golden BayCampbell Creek

Golden Bay

Obay

Campbell Creek

Campbell Creek is one of the key localities behind the Obay story. Chromium rich mica bearing rocks occur in the ultramafic terrain around this part of Golden Bay.

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Episode 04 · Fiordland

FiordlandAnita Bay / Poison Bay

Fiordland

Bowenite / Tangiwai

Anita Bay / Poison Bay

Anita Bay is one of the best known historic localities for bowenite, or tangiwai. The stone occurs in serpentinite rich country beside Piopiotahi Milford Sound.

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Episode 05 · Southland

SouthlandOrepuki

Southland

Sapphire

Orepuki

Orepuki is one of Southland’s best known sapphire localities. Rare water-worn sapphire pebbles have been recorded from the beach here, although their original source remains unknown.

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Episode 05 · Golden Bay

Golden BayRichmond Flat

Golden Bay

Sapphire

Richmond Flat

Richmond Flat near Collingwood is one of New Zealand’s documented corundum localities. Blue sapphire occurs there with minerals including tourmaline and kyanite.

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Episode 06 · Westland

WestlandGreenstone River

Westland

Amazonite

Greenstone River

The Greenstone River locality is tied to a published Westland amazonite specimen from just below French Creek. It is one of the strongest modern records for New Zealand amazonite.

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Episode 07 · Otago

OtagoGabriel’s Gully

Otago

Gold

Gabriel’s Gully

Gabriel’s Gully became the centre of Otago’s first major gold rush in 1861. The discovery transformed nearby Tuapeka and helped trigger a wave of rushes across the South Island.

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Episode 08 · Nelson

NelsonRoding River

Nelson

Rodingite

Roding River

The Roding River district is the classic New Zealand locality that gave rodingite its name. Calcium rich alteration of ultramafic rocks produced rodingite containing grossular family garnets and related minerals.

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Episode 08 · Southland

SouthlandOrepuki

Southland

Hydrogrossular Garnet

Orepuki

Hydrogrossular pebbles occur along this stretch of the Southland coast. Gemstone Beach is well known for colourful water worn stones carried into Te Waewae Bay and concentrated along the shoreline.

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Localities

GoodletiteRimu, Westland ↗ AoteaMakawhio / Mahitahi ↗ ObayCampbell Creek, Golden Bay / Mohua ↗ Bowenite / TangiwaiAnita Bay / Poison Bay, Piopiotahi ↗ SapphireOrepuki ↗ SapphireRichmond Flat, Collingwood ↗ AmazoniteGreenstone River ↗ GoldGabriel’s Gully, Otago ↗ RodingiteRoding River, Nelson ↗ Hydrogrossular GarnetOrepuki ↗

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