Kunzite is the pink to lilac form of spodumene, usually very clear. It can fade in strong sunlight and splits if knocked, so it is worn with some care.
Pyroxene (inosilicate) · spodumene
Kunzite
Kunzita
- Palette
- Pink Purple Clear
- Mined in
- Afghanistan, Brazil, United States, Pakistan, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Australia, Canada
- Hardness
- Mohs 6.5–7.0 ?
- See-through
- transparent
- Known since
- 1800
- Named for
- George F. Kunz, Tiffany & Co.'s chief jeweler and mineralogist
- Also sold as
- pink spodumene, lilac spodumene
- Intention
- Love New Beginnings
- Looking for
- Peace Change and decisions Love
- Water
- Fine with water and mild soap
- Dye or finish
- Most kunzite is left as it is, but some is irradiated or heated to deepen the pink. The color can fade in strong sunlight, so keep it out of long direct light.
Not in our pieces now
14.3 METERS
Spodumene, the mineral kunzite belongs to, has been reported in single crystals up to 14.3 meters long in South Dakota's Black Hills.
87°
Kunzite has perfect cleavage in two directions that meet at 87 degrees.
UTÖ
Spodumene was first described in 1800 from its type locality at Utö, Sweden.
What it is
Kunzite is the pink to lilac gem variety of spodumene, usually very clear and faceted, with fine striations in rough crystals. Its color comes from trace manganese and can fade with long exposure to sunlight.
What gives it its color
Kunzite's pink to lilac color comes from a trace of manganese. Pale stones are sometimes heated or irradiated to deepen the color, and the color can fade in strong sunlight.
Where it comes from
Kunzite was first mined in the Pala district of San Diego County, California; other sources include Minas Gerais in Brazil, Kunar and Nuristan in Afghanistan, Chitral and Bajaur in Pakistan, and smaller amounts from Madagascar, Mozambique and Nigeria.
In history
Kunzite was identified in 1902 and named for George Frederick Kunz, Tiffany & Co.'s gem expert. Kunz and chemist Charles Baskerville published a paper on the stone's properties in the American Journal of Science in 1904.
What's said about it
In crystal lore, kunzite is a heart stone. It's said to make room for feelings and to keep people steady through big changes such as a move or a new job.
People wear it as a pendant or earrings, carry it in a pocket or purse, or keep it in a meditation space.
How people wear or keep it: On a pendant over the chest, as earrings, in a pocket or purse, or in a meditation space.
In crystal practice
In the crystal tradition, kunzite is paired with the heart and crown chakras, so practitioners rest it there during meditation or lie down with it in place for a few quiet minutes. Day to day, the same tradition suggests keeping it close: on a pendant over the chest, as earrings, in a pocket or purse. People reach for it when they want peace, change and decisions, love, and many set an intention when they put it on. Most practitioners cleanse a new stone first (running water only if the stone can take it, otherwise smoke or moonlight) and set it aside now and then to rest.
These are beliefs people have held and still hold about the stone, reported as such. Nothing here is a promise or a medical claim. We sell stones as jewelry, not for these effects.
Associations
The chakra and star sign this stone is usually matched with. These are popular traditions, not facts about the stone.
ChakraHeart, Crown
ZodiacLeo, Scorpio, Taurus
ElementWater
Also calledpink spodumene, lilac spodumene
Care
- Perfect cleavage in two directions means a hard knock can split it, so wear it where it will not bang.
- Keep it out of strong sunlight and bright heat; the color can fade over time.
- Clean with a soft cloth and lukewarm water; avoid ultrasonic cleaners.
- Store it wrapped, away from harder stones.
How to tell what you have
- Kunzite is pink to lilac and usually clear, and it shows two or three shades as you turn it. Pink glass, pink quartz and morganite are the usual look-alikes; glass shows round bubbles, and kunzite breaks along flat planes.
What sets the price
Price follows the depth of the pink-lilac color (darker, richer tones cost more), how clean the stone is, and size; the color can fade in strong sun.
Rules and sourcing
Some kunzite is irradiated or heated to deepen the pink, and the color can fade in strong sunlight. The FTC jewelry guides call for a seller to disclose irradiation or heat.
Questions people ask at our table
What is kunzite?
Kunzite is the pink to lilac variety of spodumene, a lithium aluminium silicate. It was named in 1902 for a Tiffany & Co. gemologist.
Does kunzite fade?
Yes, it can. Long exposure to strong sunlight may fade the color, so it is best stored out of the sun and worn sensibly.
Is it hard enough for everyday jewelry?
It sits at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, but it splits easily along its cleavage planes. A sharp knock can crack it, so earrings and pendants are safer than a bracelet.
How is it different from rose quartz and morganite?
Kunzite is usually clearer and more lilac, with a glassy sparkle. Rose quartz is cloudier and a softer pink, and morganite is a pink beryl in a different peach tone.
Do you carry kunzite?
Not at the moment. Rose quartz, pink aventurine and lepidolite give a similar pink-lilac look in sturdier stones.
Not in our pieces right now
Stones we do carry that are close to it are listed under related stones.
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