Kunzite Information

Follow these links to see natural color pink Kunzite Crystals and Yellow Kunzite Crystals
MINERALMINERS.COM®- Your Personal 'Link' Direct to the Kunzite Mines!TM

Kunzite Information



Kunzite Crystals Kunzite Crystals and Kunzite Mineral Specimens

Links To Kunzite Information Topics On This Page:
Kunzite Varieties And Kunzite Products in our Online Kunzite Store
Kunzite Physical Properties
Kunzite Background Info
Kunzite Occurance and Diagnostic Features
Kunzite History and Uses
Kunzite Metaphysical Properties



KUNZITE VARIETIES & Genuine KUNZITE PRODUCTS in our Online Store



Kunzite Store

We do have additional natural kunzite products in stock!

Many of our kunzite mineral specimens and crystals also have gem-grade areas inside and can be used as superior grade kunzite gem-faceting rough.

Be sure to let us know if you have any natural kunzite requests.

Kunzite Products for Sale

Follow any of these Links to see more natural kunzite items:

Return to the Index of Kunzite Information Topics


KUNZITE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Return to the Index of Kunzite Information Topics

KUNZITE BACKGROUND INFO

Kunzite Earrings Kunzite Crystals Kunzite is the pink variety of the lithium aluminum silicate spodumeme. Spodumene is a relatively rare pyroxene found mainly in lithium rich pegmatites. Rough crystals of spodumene have been found in gigantic proportions, one of the largest was a single crystal measuring over 47 feet long and weighing 90 tons! Spodumene is the principle source of lithium, which is the lightest of all metals.

Gem spodumene varieties like kunzite occur very rarely and in much smaller crystals. The natural colors in spodumene range from colorless to gray, violet to pink to yellow (kunzite), yellowish-green to medium deep green (hiddenite) and a light blue color that typically fades upon exposure to light. The perfect cleavage of kunzite makes it considerably more difficult to facet into gemstones. This strong tendency of kunzite to cleave also means that a little more care is necessary to prevent damage when wearing a kunzite gemstone set in a ring. Kunzite gems are perfectly suited for setting into pendants, brooches and earrings.

Yellow Kunzite Crystals

The color in kunzite is due to trace impurities substituting for aluminum in the spodumene crystal structure. Iron impurities yield yellow to green color kunzite, chromium impurities result in medium-deep green colored spodumene - also known as hiddenite, and trace amounts of manganese impurities produce the pink to lilac hues of kunzite.

Some of the natural colors of kunzites will change color upon heating or irradiating. The pink color of natural kunzite is generally stable up to about 500oC where it will fade to colorless. This color can be restored by irradiation. When pink spodumene is irradiated, an unstable brown or green color is produced which will show evidence of fading within a few hours in a well-lit location. Heating to about 200oC will restore the original pink color.

Return to the Index of Kunzite Information Topics

KUNZITE OCCURRENCE AND DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES

Kunzite (LiALSi2O6) occurs almost exclusively in lithium rich granite pegmatites. It is a relatively rare mineral, occuring in association with quartz, microcline, albite, muscovite, smoky quartz, lepidolite, tourmaline and beryl, and more rarely with topaz, amblygonite, apatite and cassiterite.
Kunzite has also been reported in rare cases in aplites and in gneisses.

Kunzite is recognized by its prismatic cleavage on {110} and parting on {100}, and by its pegmatitic occurance. Kunzite can also be distinguished by its strong pleochrism and relatively high refractive index.


Return to the Index of Kunzite Information Topics

KUNZITE HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND USES

The mineral Kunzite was named for the author and gemologist George F. Kunz.

Spodumene is a major source of lithium, which has a great variety of uses including in the manufacture of lubricants, ceramics, batteries, welding supplies, experimental fuels and in anti-depressant drugs.

Transparent spodumenes of pink to violet color (kunzite) and yellowish-green to medium deep green (hiddenite) are used as gemstones.

The astrological signs of kunzite are Scorpio, Taurus and Leo, and the sign of hiddenite is Scorpio.
Kunzite is a birthstone for the month of september.

Traditionally, the wearing of kunzite jewelry is thought to bring good luck.


Return to the Index of Kunzite Information Topics

KUNZITE METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Wearing kunzite jewelry or holding a kunzite crystal is said to help one to understand and interact better with others, to help heal "broken hearts", to relieve stress and anger, and to bring love, peace and harmony.
Hiddenite is said to enhance one's creative and spiritual potentials, and to stimulate one's intellect.

Kunzite is said to help strengthen the circulatory system, and to be helpfull in the treatment of lung disorders.
Hiddenite is said to be usefull in diagnosing ailments.

Kunzite Jewelry Kunzite Gemstones

For more in-depth spodumene metaphysical information,
see our Metaphysical Books section.


This is the end of our Kunzite Factsheet and Information page.

Enter our Virtual Gallery of:
Kunzite Crystals and Kunzite Mineral Specimens


Go Up To The Top of This Page


Last Updated: July 1, 2021
© Copyright 1998-2021 Gem & Mineral Miners, Inc.® All Rights Reserved.