Nephrite jade found in South Westland's Big Bay deposit are quite well-known for producing specimens with bright reddish-purple patches in their bodies. Often mistakenly referred to under the name totoweka (a name that rightly applies to red-brown iron staining within the jade), another term for this jade is karengo - a name derived from the purple seaweed that turns green as it ages and dries out, and looks so much like this jade as it does so. This example of karengo jade is beautifully translucent, showing bright red-purple markings amongst a pale to olive-green base colour and great translucency.
 
Measuring in at 78mm long and only 13mm wide, this roimata has been carved to be very slim and lightweight, allowing it to show off its colours and translucency to best effect. This lightness makes it perfectly suited to the petite wearer, while its colours and patterns make it an attractive piece for anyone interested in the complex and unique.