KUNZITE

REFRACTIVE INDEX    1.66  -  1.68
HARDNESS       6.5  - 7
SPECIFIC GRAVITY     3.1  -  3.2

MINERAL  CLASS       Spodumene

 

This beautiful pink to light purple  stone comes from mainly USA, Madagascar, Brazil, Myanmar and Afghanistan.

Kunzite is a gem variety of the mineral Spodumene.  And becoming increasingly popular in the gemstone market. Yellow and colorless gem forms of Spodumene also exists.  Kunzites are generally free from inclusions and, and clear stones of eye clean.

Kunzite was   first discovered inf San Diego County in California in 1902.  And,  because it was fairly a young gem, only now is it being seen in popular jewelry. 

 Kunzite is found in usually large masses, sometimes weighing a few kilograms. . The value of the stone lies on its color intensity and its transparency. The more of these qualities, usually the better. Kunzite can be difficult to cut, because the intensity of the color can be lost if cut wrong. It is difficult to cut because of its near perfect cleavage. However, most professional cutters have mastered the art of cutting Kunzite.