Faceted Kunzite from Afghanistan 5,5ct
Locality: Afghanistan
Weight: 5,5ct
Dimensions: 11,8 x 9 x 7,7 mm
Color: Pink
| Category: | Faceted kunzites |
|---|---|
| Color: | Pink |
| Treatment: | No treatment |
Kunzite – a gemstone with delicate pink beauty
Kunzite is a rare pink to violet-pink variety of the mineral spodumene, valued for its delicate colour and high transparency. Its colour is caused by trace amounts of manganese, which create characteristic shades ranging from light pink to intense violet-pink.
Thanks to its elegance, kunzite is one of the sought-after collector’s minerals as well as gemstones used in jewellery. The mineral was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century and was named in honour of the American mineralogist George Frederick Kunz, who made a significant contribution to the study of gemstones.
Crystals of impressive size
Kunzite is known for forming long, slender crystals that can reach surprisingly large dimensions. Some discovered crystals measure tens of centimetres and weigh several kilograms. Thanks to their size and transparency, high-quality specimens are among the most attractive collector’s pieces.
Important deposits around the world
The most beautiful kunzites come mainly from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Brazil. Afghan crystals in particular are valued for their distinctive pink colour and high clarity. Important deposits are also found in the United States of America, where kunzite was first scientifically described.
An interesting optical phenomenon
Kunzite exhibits strong pleochroism, which means that its colour intensity can change when viewed from different directions. From one angle it may appear richly pink, while from another its shade is much lighter. This optical effect makes every crystal unique and gives it exceptional visual appeal.
Sensitivity to sunlight
One of the lesser-known properties of kunzite is its sensitivity to prolonged exposure to strong sunlight. When exposed to intense UV radiation, it may gradually lose part of its colour. Collector’s specimens should therefore be kept away from direct sunlight so that they preserve their original beauty for many years.
Popular among collectors and jewellers
Thanks to its transparency, delicate colour and attractive lustre, kunzite is a popular material for jewellery making. At the same time, it also retains a high value as a collector’s mineral, especially when it comes to undamaged crystals with a distinctive colour and a known locality.