Kunzite is the best-known variety of the mineral spodumene. It’s named after famed gemologist George Frederick Kunz, who was the first to identify it as a unique variety of spodumene. Kunzite gets its delicate color from trace amounts of manganese. California’s San Diego County is an important source of kunzite.
Spodumene
Kunzite is the best-known variety of spodumene. Others are green hiddenite and yellow triphane.
A “New” Gem
Kunzite was first recognized as a unique variety of spodumene around 1902.
Lithium
The pegmatites that yield kunzite are also a source of lithium.
Facts
- Mineral: Spodumene
- Chemical composition: LiAlSi2O6
- Color: Pink-violetish purple, light-intense
- Refractive index: 1.660 to 1.676
- Birefringence: 0.014 to 0.016
- Specific gravity: 3.18
- Mohs hardness: 6.5 to 7.0