Kunzite
Kunzite is relatively young gemstone when compared to gemstones like tourmaline and opal, as kunzite has only been known for a little more than a hundred years. Despite being such a young stone, kunzite’s lovely pale pink hues make this gem very attractive and stunning. Kunzite showing strong hues of color is rare and quite valuable.
Kunzite is one of two varieties of spodumene. The green variety of spodueme is hiddenite. Discovered in California in 1902, by George Frederick Kunz, kunzite gem’s defining characteristics of this gem are its clarity and delicate display of pink that is often contains a bit of purple. Additionally, kunzite is also a pleochroism gemstone that will display different colors ranging from violet, pink, and green depending on the angle. Experienced cut kunzite will display the most beautiful color while viewing from above and will continue to amaze experts with kunzite’s brilliance.
With a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the mohs scale, kunzite is an excellent gem to wear. Kunzite is also one of the gems that are available in large sizes, up to 8 carats, at affordable prices, thus making kunzite a nice additional to any gemstone or jewelry collection.
When buying kunzite, the color of the stone is looked at first then the clarity of the stone as the more intense the color of the kunzite, the more valuable the gem becomes. How much kunzite shows hints of violet depends on personal preferences. However, kunzite will fade its color if exposed to long periods of strong light and heat, thus kunzite jewelry is more suited for indoor and evening uses. For this reason, Kunzite is called “the evening stone”. The color of some kunzite gems can be restored or magnified by irradiation.
Kunzite’s delicate pink hue is an ideal stone for lovers. Kunzite is also popular as a healing stone as it increases devotion, understanding, inner peace, and enjoyment of life to the wearer. Kunzite also simulates the mind and removes worry and anxiety.
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