Kunzite Gemstone: a Delicate Colored Gem

Kunzite Gemstone

Kunzite: the Delicate Gemstone

Spodumene is a Lithium and Aluminum Silicate belonging to the monoclinic crystal system. The rare green Spodumene variety is called Hiddenite, the yellow one is called Triphane. But to enchant the hearts are the intense shades of pink or purple that Kunzite Gemstone gives to the Gemology world.

Kunzite Gemstone is always attractive, but not very well known by jewelers, so you can sometimes buy it at good prices.

The color of the Delicate Gem ranges from a delicate pastel pink to an intense violetish-purple and is due to Manganese. Often Kunzite exhibits a slightly pale body color, but when it shows all its saturation it permanently enchants eyes and hearts. Being Pleochroic, it can show different colors along different crystal directions. The cutters are obviously aware that the Kunzite is pleochroic as they are aware that most of the Kunzite crystal color is concentrated along its length(C-Axis).

Softy Kunzy

Kunzite, as a good Spodumene, measures from 6.5 to 7 in the scale of Mohs, so hardness is certainly not its warhorse.

Kunzite displays a vitreous luster and can easily cleavage in two directions. Cleavage in two directions is a problem for the cutter, who is often forced to follow certain directions. Moreover, the Delicate Gemstone sometimes starts to break with the pressure applied by the cutter in order to create facets on it.

Normally, The Delicate Gemstone comes to light with few inclusions and in fact the Step Cut is often applied to these Precious Stones. The Step Cut, with its large table highlights the lack of inclusions within the Gemstone. However, skilfull cutters have given any shape to the Delicate Gemstone over the years and it might be mounted in a variety of Jewelry items that are well suited to any kind of costumer.

Still now, in San Diego County, at the Pala Chief Mine mine, from the typical pink clay, many specimens with a beautiful color are mined.
Often Kunzite Gemstones undergo the irradiation treatment, which creates the color brown, green, orange or yellow. Unfortunately, the color due to the irradiation process is completely temporary and fades immediately after extended exposure to the sun.

Kunz Kunz.. Kunzite Gemstone!

The first Kunzite was found in Sand Diego County in 1902 and was sent to the Tiffany gemologist George Frederick Kunz, who was the first to analyze it. Only the following year, the name of Kunzite was given to these marvellous Gemstones after George Kunz.

Kunzite Specific Gravity is about 3.15 and Kunzite Refractive Index is about 1.660 – 1.676.
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