Kunzite gemstone

Physical properties of kunzite

Characteristics of kunzite

The gemstone kunzite (lithium amethyst, California iris, spodumene amethyst) owes its name to the famous mineralogist J. A. Kunz.

Kunzite is a variety of spodumene and usually ranges in color from clear to yellow, pink, and pink-purple. Although occasionally meet kunzites of green and brown shades.

Gemstone kunzite can be confused with some stones of pink-lilac shades, such as amethysts, beryls or topazes. And because of this similarity with amethyst, kunzite is often called so - lithium amethyst, spodumene amethyst, California iris.

Kunzite has one not very good quality - due to prolonged exposure to sunlight, this gem may lose color (turn pale).

In jewelry, mainly kunzite stones of a rich, beautiful color are used. However, in nature, despite the fact that kunzites reach sizes sufficient for jewelry, these stones form crystals of high cleavage, which greatly complicates their processing.

How much is kunzite

The cost of kunzite is highly dependent on the saturation of the color. Kunzites with visible but pale coloration will cost between $10 and $15 per carat. Beads of very pale kunzite can be purchased even cheaper - for $200 - $400.

However, for stones with a rich color, the prices are completely different. Lilac and pink kunzites will cost $80 and up. And purple and purple-red kunzites are priced from $500 per carat and you can’t find them in regular sales, they are only available on order.