Geology / History
Kunzite was named after George Frederick Kunz whom was a noted mineralogist & the chief jewellery for Tiffany & Co at its time of discovery in 1902. It is a pink to lilac coloured gemstone variety of Spodumene with a colouring agent of minor to trace amounts of manganese. Kunzite can be heated (to 300degrees F) & irradiated to enhance its colour.
Deposits occur in granite pegmatites with other pegmatite minerals such as Quartz, Topaz, Mica, Beryl & Tourmaline. Kunzite is metastable & often found partially or completely altered to clay or mica. Notable gem quality occurrences are in Brazil, USA, Canada, Mexico, Sweden, Australia, Afghanistan, Burma, Madagascar & Pakistan.
One of the most famous kunzite gems was set in jewellery as the Russian Palmette tiara and necklace worn by the Duchess of Gloucester.
Metaphysical Properties
This crystal radiates pure & infinite love. With an intensely high vibration it opens the heart & raises the body’s vibration to bring a deep sense of peace within. An excellent energetic cleaner it purges the aura of attachments & releases built up or trapped emotions.
Kunzite removes negative energies while protecting the body’s energy field from all unwanted energy including EMF’s. It allows creativity to flow freely & helps one to express their own truth without fear of judgment or persecution. A multi-dimensional crystal that connects one to universal energies & life force energies.
Kunzite teaches us how to heal with & channel immense amounts of love. It provides a clear & clean spiritual connection allowing deep connection to high levels of intuition with the ability to trust ones instincts. This strength gives a compassionate understanding of surrounding energies & it warns when potential danger is approaching.
Kunzite is highly protective in both the physical & ethereal realms this makes it a fantastic meditation or astral travel stone. It facilitates safe travel & fortifies the auric field with powerful unconditional love. Kunzite facilitates spiritual awakening & shows the path to enlightenment. It shows us that great peace, tranquillity & joy is found within guiding us to sit fully in our own powerful light.
Crystal Healing
Reduces stress, anxiety & an over active mind. Great for nerve dysfunction & rehabilitation. Aids epilepsy & auto immune issues. Helps cellular regeneration & skin disorders.
Mineralogy
Group: Spodumene – Silicate Mineral - Pyroxene
Crystal System: Monoclinic, prismatic, tabular
Composition: LiAl(SiO₃)₂
Form/Habit: Prismatic, generally flattened & elongated, commonly massive
Hardness: 6.5-7
Cleavage: Perfect
Fracture: Uneven, brittle
Lustre: Vitreous, pearly on cleavage
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 3.15-3.21
Transparency: Transparent
R.I: 1.660-1.681
Colour: Pink–violet, light violet
Birefringence: δ = 0.014–0.018
Fluorescence: Strong yellow-red, orange
Pleochroism: Definite; Amethyst colour, pale red, colourless