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www.mineralgallery.co.za Minerals K-O |
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Kunzite |
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Name
Kunzite
Chemistry
LiAlSi2 O6, Lithium Aluminum Silicate
Uses
Mined for the lithium content.
Color
Pink to colorless
Hardness
6.5-7
Specific gravity
3.2
Crystals
Monoclinic. Bladed - Aggregates of thin lath-like crystals (e.g. kyanite). Prismatic - Crystals Shaped like Slender Prisms (e.g. tourmaline)
Accompanied by:
Schorl
Fracture
It cleaves in two directions and thus the fracture might be splintery. Splintery - Thin, elongated fractures produced by intersecting good cleavages or partings
Luster
Vitreous like glass
Cleavage
Cleaves in two directions.
Streak
White
Similar to:
Hidenite
This is the pink gem variety of spodumene.
Kunzite is strongly pleochroic, meaning there is a color intensity variation when a crystal is viewed from the top or bottom then from other directions.
Kunzite is named after the American gem expert, G. F. Kunz (1856-1932).
The top and bottom of the crystal reveal the deepest colors and knowleagable gem cutters take advantage of its effects.
Due to kunzite's cleavage, splintery fracture and strong pleochroism it is considered a real gem cutters challenge. However, its lovely pink color makes kunzite an attractive and desirable gemstone
Kunzite do not fluoresce and it is not radioactite.
