Shimmering raw Kunzite beauties have the color of orchids and violets and the such unconditional love vibes for heart chakra support.
According to metaphysical beliefs, kunzite is a stone deeply connected to the heart and love. A joyful stone, kunzite opens and connects the heart with the mind, encouraging communion between the two. While wearing kunzite, it is thought you are better able to experience and reciprocate love. Kunzite is also believed to help heal heartache and calm nerves. While kunzite is not a traditional gemstone, some people have adopted the pinkish stone as a birthstone alternative for February--and kunzite does look stunning alongside amethyst. It's no surprise kunzite activates the heart Chakra and helps align the crown Chakra.
Kunzite is a composite of lithium, aluminum and silicate, which naturally forms in large sizes. It's fairly common to find high-quality stones that weigh at least 20 karats. The crystal structure displays distinct pleochroism, which means kunzite can appear to display two or three colors depending on the light source and orientation of the gem. Most typically, kunzite is a pale pinkish or lilac color, but can also be more vividly colored. Kunzite gem-quality stones are naturally transparent and tend to be eye clean, meaning the stone is free of inclusions to the naked eye. When kunzite gemstones do have inclusions, they are commonly aligned tubes.
Though kunzite was originally discovered in North America, the most current supply of this gemstone comes from the Middle East. Other deposits of kunzite include those found in Canada, Russia, Mexico, Sweden and Australia. Most kunzite does not receive enhancements.
Comparative to other gemstones, kunzite is a fairly young gem. It was in 1902 that a Tiffany and Co. mineralogist by the name of George Frederick Kunz first thoroughly described kunzite. The gem was originally discovered in Connecticut, but the first large deposit was found in the San Diego area of California. Kunz determined this gemstone was an existing crystal family called spodumene, but the unique pinkish to purple color had been previously unrecognized, making kunzite unique. The next year, in 1903, a chemistry professor named kunzite in honor of Mr. Kunz.
Since kunzite's discovery, the gem has experienced growing fame especially in high-end jewelry due to its large size and natural clarity despite its perfect cleavage sometimes making cutting difficult. A particularly famous kunzite was a 47-karat specimen in a ring that sold for over $410,000 at a Sotheby's auction of the Estate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1996. Kunzite, and other members of the spodumene family, are also used in the making of certain medicines, ceramics and batteries.
