Spodumene is a rock forming mineral in granites and pegmatites that bear other lithium minerals. Spodumene is a relatively new mineral to science, being discovered in the last three centuries and gem varieties have only been discovered in the last 120 years. The name refers to the mineral spodumene, Greek for ash-colored, because the non-gem crystals are mostly opaque, white to yellowish.
Gem varieties are known as hiddenite and kunzite. Since the 1970s some isolated transparent colorless spodumene varieties have been found. More recently light yellow and green spodumene varieties have also been found.
Spodumene is strongly pleochroic, meaning there is a color intensity variation when a crystal of it is viewed from different directions. The top and bottom of the crystal reveal the deepest colors and experienced cutters take advantage of its effects. Due to spodumene's cleavage, splintery fracture and strong pleochroism, it is considered a real gem cutter's challenge. Spodumene rarely displays the cat's eye effect. With a hardness rating of 6.5-7.5 and its vitreous luster spodumene qualifies for any kind of jewelry.
Spodumene colors
Buying Spodumene
Where is Spodumene found?
Common Spodumene Treatments
World-famous Spodumene
Spodumene gemology
Spodumene legends & lore
Spodumene colors
Spodumene colors are white, colorless, gray, pink, lilac, violet, yellow and green.
Transparent deeply colored spodumene has two varieties called Kunzite and Hiddenite. Kunzite, the violet-pink spodumene, is usually quite pale but sometimes bright and intense. The color is somewhat unstable and tends to fade with prolonged exposure to strong sunlight. Its color agent is manganese.
Hiddenite, the green spodumene, is also known to fade with long exposure to light. Its color agent is chromium. The green color varies from a yellowish green to a green-yellow and can even approach the beauty of emerald green.
Since the 1970s some isolated transparent colorless spodumene varieties have been found. More recently light yellow and green spodumene varieties have also been found. Buying Spodumene
Color
The top and bottom of the crystal reveal the deepest colors and the cut has to take advantage of its effects.
Lighting
Spodumene is strongly pleochroic, meaning there is a color intensity variation when a crystal of it is viewed from different directions.
Clarity
Transparent, deeply colored spodumene should be eye clean at least. Spodumene rarely displays the cat's eye effect.
Cut
Transparent, deeply colored spodumene usually gets a step (emerald) cut. Spodumene is strongly pleochroic, meaning there is a color intensity variation when a crystal of it is viewed from different directions. The top and bottom of the crystal reveal the deepest colors and experienced cutters take advantage of its effects. Due to spodumene's cleavage, splintery fracture and strong pleochroism, it is considered a real gem cutter's challenge.
Spodumene location and deposits
Spodumene deposits are found in Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, Pakistan and the United States (California, North Carolina and South Dakota). Hiddenite was originally found only in North Carolina. More recently, there have been finds in Afghanistan, Brazil and Madagascar, Myanmar and California that improved the supply of this fascinating gemstone. The most important kunzite deposit belongs to "Minas Gerais" in Brazil. Other locations include Afghanistan, Madagascar, Myanmar, Pakistan and the United States. Common Spodumene treatments
Brownish and green-violet kunzite can be improved in color by heating to about 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). World-famous Spodumene
As a lesser-known gemstone, spodumene hasn't gained fame as of yet. Spodumene gemology
Species: Spodumene
Color: White, colorless, gray, pink, lilac, violet, yellow and green
Chemical composition: LiAlSi2O6, lithium aluminum silicate
Crystal system: Monoclinic, prismatic, tabular
Hardness: 6.5 -7 (Mohs scale)
Specific gravity: 3.15 - 3.21
Refractive index: 1.660 - 1.681
Birefringence: +0.014 to + 0.016
Color of streak: White The Spodumene zodiac, myth & legend
As a lesser-known gemstone, spodumene produces a blank page in the books of myth, history, wisdom, the zodiac scheme or the relation between planets and mankind. |
