Kunzite

Kunzite is the pale pink to light-violet gem-quality variety of the pyroxene mineral spodumene, a lithium aluminum inosilicate. Kunzite was first discovered in Connecticut, USA, and was named after George Frederick Kunz (1856 - 1932), an American mineralogist and the former vice president and buyer for Tiffany & Company. Kunz was a legendary New York jeweler and colored stone specialist, and he was the first to comprehensively describe the stone in 1902.

Although it was first discovered in the USA, most of the current supply of kunzite is found in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Kunzite is closely related to hiddenite, the yellow-green member of the spodumene gemstone family which was also discovered and named after an American mineralogist, W. E. Hidden; as well as the classic golden to yellow color gem-quality spodumene.

Kunzite Gemstone Properties

Kunzite Color & Occurence

Kunzite is usually pale but it can sometimes be bright and quite intense. Kunzite colors range from light pink to saturated pink; lilac to lavender, and from light violet to pink-violet. Its color is owed to traces of manganese. Color is known to fade with prolonged exposure to strong light. Kunzite is strongly pleochroic, resulting in different color intensities (usually pink, clear and violet) depending on the angle it is viewed from. The tops and bottoms of crystals will show the deepest color.

Kunzite was first discovered in Connecticut, USA. The first significant commercial deposit was discovered 1902 in the Pala region of San Diego, California, where morganite (pink beryl) was also discovered. The most important deposits of kunzite are from Minas Gerais, Brazil, but most of the current supply is from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Other sources include Madagascar, Myanmar and the USA. Smaller gem quality deposits have also been found in Canada, Russia, Mexico, Sweden and Western Australia.

Healing Power of Kunzite

Some consider kunzite to be a modern-day birthstone for February, but this view lacks the support of traditionalists. The wearer of a kunzite gemstone is believed to be blessed with good fortune. Kunzite is said to help its wearer to understand and interact better with others.

Mystical Power in Kunzite

Kunzite is sometimes referred to as the evening stone because of its sensitivity to sunlight and heat. Kunzite's pink color is said to bond the energies of the heart and mind. For this reason, it is often referred to as a 'stone of balance'. It is believed that kunzite can help enhance communication between lovers and help broken marriages and broken hearts. Physically, kunzite is thought to help with lung disorders.