Kunzite is a spodumene, or aluminosilicate, mineral used by the jewelry industry as a gem. The kunzite has a pink-purplish color, which tends to change according to viewing angle. Kunzite has a Mohs scale of hardness of 6.5-7, and some of the gems undergo color-enhancing treatments.
Kunzites are characterized by a high level of clarity. The majority of kunzite gems come in bright colors, and dark, stronger tones of pink and purple are rare, and subsequently more expensive. Rare kunzites, which are either colorless, dark purple or bright green, can be found in Afghanistan.
Kunzites are named after mineralogist George Frederick Kunz, formerly Tiffany’s head jeweler, who discovered the gemstone in 1902.
Kunzites can be found in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Sweden, Afghanistan, Pakistan and western-Australia.
