KUNZITE
Kunzite is the best-known variety of the mineral spodumene. Kunzite gets its delicate light pink to violetish purple color from trace amounts of manganese. California’s San Diego County is an important source of kunzite.
Kunzite has two perfect cleavage directions. When tilted and looking down the length of the crystal, the stone will show two subtly different body colors, often shifting from pink to lavender. Cutters keep these factors in mind when they orient gems for finishing. They might also cut a kunzite deep to emphasize its pink to violet color. The more saturated the color, the more valuable kunzite will be.
It is not unusual to find kunzite in large sizes. The Smithsonian Institution houses a faceted heart-shaped kunzite that weighs 880 carats.
Kunzite can be irradiated and then heat-treated to enhance its color. Both treated and natural color in kunzite can fade with exposure to heat and bright light.
Some consider kunzite to be an alternate birthstone for February.
Kunzite has two perfect cleavage directions. When tilted and looking down the length of the crystal, the stone will show two subtly different body colors, often shifting from pink to lavender. Cutters keep these factors in mind when they orient gems for finishing. They might also cut a kunzite deep to emphasize its pink to violet color. The more saturated the color, the more valuable kunzite will be.
It is not unusual to find kunzite in large sizes. The Smithsonian Institution houses a faceted heart-shaped kunzite that weighs 880 carats.
Kunzite can be irradiated and then heat-treated to enhance its color. Both treated and natural color in kunzite can fade with exposure to heat and bright light.
Some consider kunzite to be an alternate birthstone for February.
