We are not sure if there is a more modern looking gemstone than Kunzite, its vivid colors and cheeky sparkle seem to capture the glitzy fashions of contemporary life.
Kunzite Colors
Kunzite is a pale pink to vivid violet colored gemstone with a few purple shades in there for good measure. It can be found in tones that can fall under both the pastel and the intense color banner.
Kunzite is one of the rare gemstones that seem to change color as it is viewed from different angles in a phenomenon known as pleochroism.
The sun seems to have a profound effect on Kunzite – both positive and negative. There are stories about greenish gemstones fresh from the mines left out in the sun that turn bright pink by nighttime. Conversely, it has been said that a lively pink or purple stone can fade dramatically if exposed to too much sunlight!
Read more about gemstones colors here
Kunzite Species
Kunzite is a form of the mineral spodumene but it was, quite rightly I think, thought that this name was not going to be a big seller so it was given the name Kunzite in honor of the famous gemologist George Kunz.
The green version, Hiddenite, was named after William Hidden, a mineralogist and contemporary of Kunz.
Kunzite Price
Nearly all colored gemstones are priced on their color and Kunzite for sale is no different. In general, the vivid or rich colored stones are more expensive than the light colored gemstones.
Kunzite has an ability to change from one color to another in a phenomenon called pleochroism. A skilled cutter will ensure than the deeper pink or violet will be showing when the gemstone is viewed from the top and change to the lighter color when the angles change.
You can read more about pleochroic gemstones here
Kunzite Carat Weight
Kunzite gemstones are a bit unusual in the fact that larger gemstones are actually easier to find than smaller gemstones. The crystal make-up of Kunzites means it can be a bit tricky to cut tiny stones so the bigger ones are easier and more common.
Because of this there is no rapid rise in price per carat as the gemstone gets bigger.
The price is almost entirely decided by the color with clarity and cut also taken into consideration. Lighter color will be around $5 - $10 per carat and the richer, deeper colors will fetch $15-$30 per carat.
For more details please refer to our full Kunzite Info page here
Kunzite Treatments
Kunzite is usually not treated other than the cutting and polishing into the lovely gemstones that you see on our website.
It is well known that Kunzite can be affected by the sun, both positively and adversely, and heating and irradiation can change the color but this change is often only temporary and will return to original color quite quickly.
If any of our gemstones are known to be treated it will be clearly indicated on our product page. To be on the safe side, we would recommend NOT exposing your kunzite gemstones to extended periods in sunlight and storing them in boxes or bags when not wearing them.
Where is Kunzite found?
Kunzite is still found in California in the USA but the most reliable and biggest sources these days are Afghanistan, Pakistan and Brazil.
What jewelry is Kunzite suitable for?
Kunzite is rated at 7 on Mohs hardness scale which means it is durable enough for most jewelry items, even for daily wear.
The bright colors, reasonable prices and availability in large carat weights make it perfect for imaginative and eye-catching party pieces.
