Kunzite
is the trade name of the lithium-rich pink variety of spodumene, a pyroxene mineral species that was first described by the Portuguese-Brazilian mineralogist José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva (1763-1838). The name kunzite is a homage to George Frederick Kunz (1856-1932) the illustrious American passionate mineralogist and gemmologist that worked a lifetime for Tiffany & Co since 1877 and that described this pink variety of spodumene in 1902 at the Pala pegmatite in California, USA.
One of the most interesting characteristics of spodumene is its pleochroism and in certain observation conditions three different shades of pink and lilac may be seen in three different directions. Some call kunzite the "evening gemstone" due to its known tendency to fade on prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Gem-quality kunzite is known to occur in pegmatites namely in Brazil, Mozambique, Madagascar and Afghanistan and when it occurs with no gem quality is a relevant lithium ore. In the picture, a kunzite, diamond and cultured pearl necklace set in gold and platinum by Julius Cohen. Photo © Christie's The other objects are Tiffany & Co and others. . .
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