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Kunzite
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General Information:
Kunzite was discovered in the United States in the early twentieth century and
was named in tribute after George Kunz, the legendary gem scholar, gemologist,
and gem buyer for Tiffany & Co. The first deposits were found in
Connecticut, but the first significant deposits were found in the Pala region
in California. Often times, kunzite is found with other pink gemstones such as
pink tourmaline and morganite. Kunzite's pink(liliac) to purple color is caused
by manganese in the mineral. The gem is from the spodumene mineral, which is
available in shades of green (hiddenite), and the pinkish variety (kunzite). It
is difficult to cut kunzite to display the greatest amount of color. The
beautiful pink color of kunzite can fade if exposed to strong light such as
sunlight, heat can also fade the color of the stone. Kunzite is known for its
large pieces, which have the darker and richer pink/violet color. |
Origin:
Kunzite is mined in Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, Sweden, Manitoba/Canada,
and the United States. |
Common Treatments and Lab Created
Forms:
Kunzite can be irradiated to bring out a deeper pink in gems, but this
treatment can fade as with the natural color when exposed to strong sunlight.
Mineral specimens that are brownish or green-violet in color can be heat
treated to turn them the classic pink color of kunzite.
There is no lab created kunzite, but there are simulated stones
and cubic zirconia. There are several glass and other synthetic material that
has a similar color to the natural kunzite, but they are not in any way the
same chemical composition as the kunzite gem. |
Physical Properties:
Moh's Scale Hardness: 6.5-7.0
Specific Gravity: 3.15 - 3.21
Refractive Index: 1.660 - 1.681
Crystal System: Monoclinic, prismatic, tabular
Colors: Pink-violet, light violet |
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