Kunzite and Hiddenite

Kunzite is the best known variety of spodumene; it is a pale to medium violetish pink color. The gem was named after George Kunz who was the gemologist at Tiffany and Company around the 1900's. The first "kunzite" was discovered in San Diego County, California. Kunzite is generally found in large sizes, perhaps ten carats or more. Small stones with an attractive color may be hard to find.

Kunzite (Photo by ICA/Bart Kurren)

The darker the color the higher the price. Examine the cutting of kunzite, stones may be cut excessively deep to darken the apparent color; these may be hard to set. Kunzite may fade with prolonged exposure to strong light, this is especially true if the material is irradiated, but this treatment is infrequently done. Sometimes kunzite will have inclusions that are visible tubes, these will be less per carat than eye clean material. Sometimes the tubes may run perpendicular to the table; these are harder to see. Kunzite will vary in price from low price per carat for light stones to moderate for dark stones.

A pale green spodumeme is available but it is not particularly popular as a jewelry stone.

Hiddenite is a intense medium green variety that is nearly the color of emerald. It was discovered in North Carolina, which is its only source. If it is not an intense medium green spodumene, it is not Hiddenite. Hiddenite will be expensive if you are lucky enough to find a fine quality one.

Spodumene gems are fragile: they have perfect cleavage and are somewhat brittle. They can break fairly easily so select mountings that will protect them.