Roimata means a tear, and a roimata pounamu pendant takes that tear's shape. In greenstone gifting, it carries meanings of comfort, healing and shared emotion. It is a tender way to say, “I am here with you” — after a loss, through a hard change, or simply to someone whose kindness matters. The shape is called roimata; pounamu is the stone. Choose a small drop for a quiet everyday keepsake, or a longer one that the wearer can hold close. ✨
Last updated October 2026
What does roimata mean in pounamu? 💎
The Māori word roimata means a tear of crying. As a pendant, it is the smooth drop form: narrow near the cord, fuller below. That simple outline leaves room for the stone's colour, and for the feelings you bring to it.
Roimata is often chosen as a touchstone for comfort and healing. A cool drop against your chest can become a familiar place to rest your hand. The Ngāi Tahu Pounamu roimata description at Wellington's museum shop connects the form with grief, healing, meditation and the land. Those meanings make it a thoughtful gift of support.
Your piece can also carry a more personal story: the friend who gave it, a place you miss, or a kindness you want to remember. If your whānau has its own meaning for a taonga, let that story lead.
It helps to keep the names separate. Pounamu includes nephrite and bowenite; roimata names a shape, not another mineral. A teardrop can be carved from different materials. Its outline alone does not tell you where the stone came from.
Is a roimata only a gift for grief? 🌙
No. Comfort and shared feeling are wider than bereavement. You might give a roimata to someone starting again after a difficult year, or to thank the person who stood beside you. Its gentle shape suits the words that are hard to find.
After a loss, keep the gift quiet and personal. Think about the recipient before the symbolism. Do they like necklaces? Would they welcome a keepsake now, or prefer you to sit with them over a cup of tea? A meaningful object works best when it feels like care, not another thing to manage.
You do not need a grand speech. These are our suggested gift-note words, ready for you to make your own:
- After a loss: “I thought this little drop could hold a reminder of how much they are loved.”
- Through a hard change: “A small piece to keep close. You do not have to do this alone.”
- To thank someone: “For the kindness you gave me when I needed it most.”
Use a name, a memory, or one true sentence about the person. Leave out promises about when they will feel better. A roimata can honour what they carry without asking them to explain it.
For an everyday gift, ask about colour and style in an ordinary way. A dark drop against a pale shirt has a different feel from a lighter green piece tucked under a jumper. Let them wear it when and how it feels right.
Still choosing a shape? Try our Pounamu Design Finder, or compare the eight greenstone shapes and their meanings. Come back to roimata when comfort and connection are the story you want to give.
How do you choose a roimata pendant size? ✨
Look at the measurements, not just “small” or “medium”. A short drop can feel discreet under a shirt. A longer pendant has more presence and gives your hand a larger surface to hold. Start with how the person already wears jewellery.
Our smaller roimata greenstone pendant is listed at approximately 29 × 12 mm, for NZ$90. That is 2.9 cm long: a little keepsake rather than a large statement piece. The product photograph shows examples in different greens, not a pair included in one purchase.
For a longer drop, the medium roimata listing is 50 × 18 mm, at NZ$145. The other teardrop roimata listing is also 50 × 18 mm, at NZ$165. Both describe a braided waxed cord, approximately 60 cm long, secured with a greenstone toggle.
Both longer listings state that their pounamu is locally sourced, locally carved and handmade in the South Island. They also list a gift box and note slight differences in carving size and shape. The smaller listing gives its dimensions but does not state the same origin, box or cord details.
Prices checked 5 October 2026. Stock and prices can change; follow the product links for the current options.
| Listing | Approximate size | NZ price |
|---|---|---|
| Smaller roimata | 29 × 12 mm | NZ$90 |
| Medium roimata | 50 × 18 mm | NZ$145 |
| Other teardrop | 50 × 18 mm | NZ$165 |
Notice that the two longer pieces have the same listed dimensions. Their names and prices do not prove a size or quality difference. Compare the actual photos and ask about the piece available, rather than guessing from “medium”.
Try cutting a paper outline to the listed length and width, then hold it against your usual shirt. It is a simple way to picture the scale. It will not show the stone's weight or how the cord sits; ask about those details if they matter to you.
How do you care for your roimata? 💚
Pounamu is strong, but a hard knock or a drop onto tiles can still damage it. Keep the pendant clear of hard surfaces when you take it off. A soft place beside the bed is kinder than the edge of a basin.
Ngāi Tahu Pounamu's care advice recommends gentle soap when cleaning is needed, and avoiding strong chemical cleaners. The smooth stone's lustre also grows with the natural oils from your skin. Wear becomes part of its story.
Before you put it on, check the cord near the hole, knots and fastening. Look for fraying, and have a worn cord replaced before it fails. Our pounamu wearing and care guide covers the everyday fit questions.
If a blessing matters to you or the person receiving it, our greenstone blessing guide explains the next step. Let the recipient's own practice lead; the gift does not need a performance.
Roimata questions
Is every green teardrop necklace New Zealand pounamu?
No. The shape does not establish the material or its origin. Read the exact listing and ask where the stone was sourced and carved. For a roimata gift, that story can be as meaningful as the shape.
Will the pendant look exactly like the photograph?
The medium roimata and teardrop roimata listings note slight differences in the size and shape of individual carvings. Their exact product links appear in the cord answer below. If one colour or pattern caught your eye, ask which piece is available before ordering. The chosen stone will have its own character.
How long is the cord on the smaller pendant?
The 29 mm pendant's description does not give a cord length. Ask about its fastening and length before choosing it for a particular fit. The medium roimata and teardrop roimata listings describe approximately 60 cm cords with greenstone toggles.
What if the recipient does not wear necklaces?
Ask first rather than hoping they will change their style. The warmth is in your choice and your words. A different keepsake, or time spent together, can carry the same care; save the roimata for someone who wants to wear it.
Choose the drop for the feeling you want to share, and the size for the person who will wear it. 🌿 Explore our greenstone pieces, or find the current roimata options. Let your own words finish the gift.
Sources
Te Aka Māori Dictionary for the word; Te Ara for pounamu materials; Wellington Museums' Ngāi Tahu roimata listing for gifting meaning; Ngāi Tahu Pounamu for care. Product details checked against the linked Rivendell listings on 5 October 2026.