Crown Lynn Greenstone Ceramica

The Crown Lynn story is part of the New Zealand's heritage. Operating during the period 1948 - 1989, the factory produced domestic ware commonly used in most New Zealand homes in the 1950s.

The story began in the 1860s, at Hobsonville where a farmer, R. O. Clark, encountering drainage problems, made his own clay drainage pipes. Demand was such that he went into business as a manufacturer of bricks and tiles and began a family business which was to have a lasting impact on New Zealand households.

In 1931 Thomas Clark, the great grandson of the original owner joined the more... firm. He realised the opportunities and expanded into domestic ware, opening a porcelain Specials Department in 1937. During World War II  the Specials Department was declared an essential industry and moved into making vitrified mugs and cereal bowls for the American Forces in the Pacific. Until 1947 half the production from the specials department was exported to Australia. The Specials Department became a separate company in 1948, and was called Crown Lynn. Important designers employed by the company included Dave Jenkin, Mirek Smizek, Frank Carpay, Daniel Steenstra, Ernest Shufflebottom, Dorothy Thorpe.

By 1959 Crown Lynn Potteries had produced its 100 millionth article, and at their peak in the 1960's Crown Lynn employed 650 people in their Auckland potteries, manufactured around 17 million pieces of dinnerware annually in over 82 patterns and exported half of their production.

Crown Lynn became Ceramco in 1974 and diversified into a series of new interests, including electronics, appliance wholesaling and making acquisitions including Bendon lingerie. The Crown Lynn pottery factory closed in 1989, unable to compete with foreign competitors. Sir Thomas Clark died in 2005. less...

Jadeite and jade are two different types of minerals that are often used interchangeably to refer to a green-colored gemstone that has cultural and spiritual significance in many parts of the world.

Jadeite is a pyroxene mineral with the chemical formula NaAlSi2O6. It is one of the two types of minerals that are commonly referred to as "jade" (the other being nephrite). Jadeite is a relatively rare mineral that is found in metamorphic rocks in certain regions of the world, including Myanmar (formerly Burma), Guatemala, and California. It is known for its bright green color, which is caused by more... the presence of chromium and other trace elements. Jadeite is also valued for its hardness and toughness, which makes it suitable for use in jewelry and other decorative objects.

Jade, on the other hand, is a term that is used more broadly to refer to a variety of green-colored gemstones, including both jadeite and nephrite. It is often associated with Chinese culture, where it has been used for thousands of years in art, jewelry, and other decorative objects. Jade is believed to have a range of spiritual and healing properties, including promoting harmony and balance, and is often associated with good luck and prosperity.

Pounamu is a type of greenstone that is highly valued by the indigenous M?ori people of New Zealand. It is also known as New Zealand jade or by its mineral name, nephrite.

Pounamu is found in several locations in the South Island of New Zealand, including the Arahura River, the Marsden Valley, and the West Coast. It is typically dark green in color, although it can also be light green, gray, or white. Pounamu is known for its hardness, durability, and toughness, which make it a popular material for carving, jewelry, and other decorative objects.

For the M?ori people, pounamu is considered a taonga, or treasure, and is highly valued for its spiritual and cultural significance. It is often used to represent strength, resilience, and connection to the land and the ancestors. Pounamu is also used in many traditional M?ori ceremonies and rituals, and is

While jadeite and jade are often used interchangeably, it is important to note that not all green-colored gemstones are actually jade. To be considered true jade, a stone must be either jadeite or nephrite and have certain specific physical and chemical properties.