Kunzite - "The Evening Stone"
Never heard of Kunzite? It's true, you won't see row upon row of it in your jeweler's showcase, but Kunzite is a well-kept secret - an unusual and beautiful stone worth getting to know!
Mineral Properties
Kunzite is from gem-quality crystals of the mineral spodumene. Spodumene is found mainly in 3 colors: light yellow, green (known as hiddenite) and the pink to lavender varieties which are kunzite. This exquisite color is caused by the presence of manganese. Kunzite's beauty can be a fleeting thing - kunzite will fade with exposure to strong light, hence the moniker "the Evening Stone."
Like tourmaline, spodumene crystals can be dichroic (have two different colors occupyingthe same crystal). The crystals are also usually (another big, technical term here) pleochroic, meaning that their color changes in intensity when viewed from different angles. Some crystals have tubular inclusions - as with most transparent gemstones, eye-clear specimens are the most desirable.
Kunzite is mined primarily in the gemstone-rich Minas Gerais region of Brazil, as well as in Afghanistan, Madigascar and Pakistan. In late 2009 and mid 2010, important new pockets of gem quality kunzite were discovered in the Oceanview mine near Pala, California (San Diego county.)
History and Lore
Probably the most famous Kunzite gemstone is the 47 carat kunzite ring, surrounded by 20 diamonds, which president John F. Kennedy bought as a gift for his wife Jackie. Sadly, he never had the chance to give it to her. It sold at Sotheby's auction in April of 1996 for $431,250 .
Shop for kunzite jewelry and gemstones.
Metaphysicists say that kunzite alleviates negative energy, stress and anxiety and fosters creativity, compassion, spirituality and emotional balance. It symbolizes unconditional love, and is an appropriate stone for healers and teachers
Crystal healers believe that kunzite can help relieve mood swings and depression and aid in healing disorders of the heart (both physical and emotional), lungs and circulatory system, as well as epilepsy and arthritis. It is thought to have a soothing effect and some ability to stimulate the immune system.
Kunzite Jewelry
A fine specimen of expertly-faceted kunzite is a thing of beauty, but cutting this stone well is a challenge, even for the most skillful of gemcutters. Not only do the crystals tend to splinter, but its pleochroic color properties make it so that each stone needs to be cut in a certain way to bring out its best color! Step cuts (emerald cut) are common and usually very flattering to this stone.
Your kunzite jewelry also requires a little additional TLC. It needs to be protected from contact with or sharp blows from hard objects, which can scratch or fracture the stone. Also avoid sunlight and other strong light sources (which can fade the stone), harsh chemicals (which can cause surface damage) and heat - as little as 300 degrees farenheit can shift the color of kunzite. Do not clean this gemstone with an ultrasonic cleaner.
All this makes for a rather "high maintenance" gemstone, but many feel that the exquisite color of kunzite makes up for its shortcomings. If you want jewelry of a similar colorfor everyday wear, consider Morganite (a delicate pink colored stone, related to the aquamarine and the emerald) or "Rose De France" amethyst (a pale, pinkish variety of amethyst.)
Faded kunzite can sometimes be restored to color with irradiation, but don't think you can just run to your corner jeweler to have this done - it's not a readily available "fix." Some kunzite on the market has been irradiated or heated to enhance the color.