Kunzite

Kunzite is a gemstone composed of lithium aluminium silicate. ^[1]

Kunzite: Quick Facts and Characteristics

Some quick facts for Kunzite:

• Transparency: Kunzite is transparent.
• Crystallography: In terms of crystallography, kunzite is monoclinic.
• Luster: In terms of luster, kunzite is vitreous (glassy).
• Streak: Kunzite streaks white.

Kunzite: Background and Summary

Kunzite is a pink to lilac colored mineral that belongs to the spodumene family. It was first discovered in 1902 in California by mineralogist George Frederick Kunz, who named it after himself. Kunzite is a relatively rare mineral and is found in only a few locations around the world, including Brazil, Madagascar, and Afghanistan.

Kunzite is easily identified by its distinctive pink to lilac color. It has a vitreous to pearly luster and a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Kunzite is a transparent to translucent mineral and is often used in jewelry due to its beautiful color and clarity. It is also sometimes used as a gemstone in its raw form or cut and polished into various shapes.

Kunzite has several uses beyond jewelry. It is sometimes used in the manufacture of ceramics and glass, as well as in the production of lithium batteries. Kunzite is also used in alternative healing practices, where it is believed to have a calming and soothing effect on the mind and body.