Kunzite
PROPERTIES
Mineral: Spodumene
Color(s): Pink, pinkish-violet, purple
Hardness (Moh's): 7.5
Treatment(s): Heat
Kunzite
Kunzite is a fairly new gemstone, having been identified by and named after Tiffany and Company’s mineralogist George Frederick Kunz in 1903. Naturally occurring in appealing shades of delicate pink to violet, kunzite is rapidly becoming desirable, especially among gemstone and jewelry enthusiasts who prefer pink gemstones in larger carats.
Gemologists follow a simple rule of thumb: the more vivid the lilac color, the more valuable the kunzite crystal. The delightful color of the gemstone comes from the presence of manganese within the crystal formations. In rare cases, kunzite gemstones display the property of pleochroism, where they display two or three different colors depending on where they are viewed from.
Origin
Kunzite is mined in South Dakota, North Caroline, Brazil, Madagascar, Sweden, and Manitoba.
Did you know?
- A 47-carat kunzite ring sold for over $410,000 at an auction of the estate of Jacqueline Kennedy in 1996. The ring was purchased by President Kennedy as a gift to his wife, but he never had the opportunity to give it to her.