gemstone
Kunzite
Spodumene (LiAl(SiO3)2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, pale pink to light purple color, vitreous luster, monoclinic crystal system, and distinct cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, pale pink to light purple color, vitreous luster, monoclinic crystal system, and distinct cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in lithium-rich pegmatite veins through hydrothermal processes and fractional crystallization of magmas.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a gemstone in high-end jewelry and as a minor ore of lithium.
Geological facts
Named after George Frederick Kunz, the chief gemologist for Tiffany & Co. who first identified it.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its prismatic striations, conchoidal fracture, and pronounced pleochroism showing deeper color down the vertical axis. Found globally in Brazil, Madagascar, Afghanistan, and the USA.
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