The Uses of Kunzite

Kunzite is a fairly recent addition to many jewelers cases. Kunzite was discovered a little over one hundred years ago by George Fredrick Kunz in 1902. It was first founded in San Diego, California. However, today Kunzite can be found all over the world including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Brazil, Western Australia, Mexico, and even Sweden.

Kunzite is a beautiful stone with sometimes intense colors of pink and violet. It also comes in a clear form and can include inclusions which are made from Hiddenite which can make it green, yellow, gray or even sometimes a very rare light blue. Kunzite also is known for its pleochroism attribute. Pleochroism means that a stone can have two or more colors. In many cases Kunzite can have three colors. Looking at Kunzite from above, you might see the most intense pink, from some of the sides a violet and other sides might be clear. A few other gemstones have this quality, most notably Iolite.

Kunzite is a fairly hard stone and has a score of 6.5 to 7 on Moh’s Hardness Scale. Since it is found in large masses, it is a great stone to make into large jewelry pieces and is quite affordable. Many jewelers set it in rings, pendants, charms, earring and even with fabrics such as shoes and hand bags. Unfortunately due to its near perfect cleavage it can be difficult to cut. When searching for Kunzite, first look for an intense color, than for its clarity quality. The more intense and clear, usually the more valuable it is.

Kunzite - The History and Origins

For those that think Kunzite has been known to the world for thousands of years, you will be surprised to learn that Kunzite is just over 100 years old. Kunzite is one of the newest gemstone discoveries, but since it has become so popular, you would have thought it was around since ancient times.

Kunzite was founded by George Fredrick Kunz in 1902. It was found in San Diego in California and from there it has been found over the last 100 years in many different parts of the world.

Kunzite is a marvelous and attractive feminine gemstone. It usually comes in three different colors pink, violet and clear, however with inclusions it can be seen as green, light blue which is most rare a yellow and gray.

Kunzite has the amazing property of pleochroism. Pleochroism is a term that is used to signify that a stone has multiple colors when looked at. For instance when viewed from the top of the stone, it can usually be viewed in its most intense color, from other angles, it might be clear or a lighter color. Other gemstones that have the property of pleochroism are Iolite.

Because Kunzite is such as pretty stone, it is very popular, it is one of the few stones that are very affordable at larger sizes which makes them great for rings and other types of ornamental jewelry. For instance, Kunzite can be used for ornaments that are attached to fabrics such as shoes and hand bags.