Kunzite is the pink variety of Spodumene. When unearthed, Kunzite is absolutely gorgeous in color, being a deep purple blue down the C axis, greenish and light purple or blue down the A and B axes. Like most (if not all) naturally occurring Kunzite, the intense color fades over time with exposure to light, but apparently the material found in the Oceanview Mine (San Diego County, CA) in the last few years stabilizes once it has turned pink from the original purple, green/purple or greenish. Crystals from the Big Kahuna Pocket that have been sitting in the sun since their unearthing in the summer of 2010, have not changed from the pink achieved within a couple of days of sitting in the full sun. However, Kunzite has always been an 'evening' gemstone and limiting its exposure to the sun (UV light), the color will be fairly stable. It is Ultraviolet light that will cause it to lighten. There are a number of gemstones can fade upon exposure to sunlight after seeing the light of day after millions of years - and that can include Amethyst, Topaz among others. To quote some information found on line - "Kunzite is a relatively recent gemstone, having been first discovered in the 20th century. It was first found in the pegmatites of Pala, California, in 1902, and is named after the famous mineralogist George F. Kunz who first identified it. Though it wasn't until the 1990's that this gemstone became a more mainstream gemstone, having been used only as a collectors gemstone prior to that time. Kunzite is a very attractive pink gem, but is notorious for its habit of color fading in prolonged exposure to strong light. Although the color-fading effect is very slow, most people still prefer to wear Kunzite jewelery in the evening to avoid sunlight exposure. Kunzite is regarded as an evening stone for this reason." Information from the Oceanvew Mine indicates "the dark purple Oceanview fades within hours in the full sun to pink and then is stable. Pink Afghanistan material fades completely over time to colorless." Many Kunzites on the market owe their color to irradiation which produces a medium pink color - just another of the many forms of enhancement that gemstones may be exposed to and many times without disclosure. Kunzite (and all colors of Spodumene) has cleavage like Diamond, Diaspore, Topaz and other gemstones. This particular gemstone would be best to wear as a pendant. Little rivals the beautiful color pink of the various saturations of this gemstone. With some care, the original color can be maintained and this beautiful gemstone can be passed on to future generations.
Our current faceted Kunzite is from the Oceanview Mine,
located in San Diego County in Southern California, where the first occurence of
Kunzite was found back over 100 years ago by George Kunz. Read about the adventure into
two important mines that produce Spodumene/Kunzite, in January 2012 by the owner of All
That Glitters via personal invite by the marketing agent and owner of these mines:
Oceanview and Pala Chief Mine - January 2012
View photos of a Kunzite being faceted from the original crystal; observe some of the issues and problems that arise when faceting.... Faceting Kunzite Demo
Kunzite has not been found in the Oceanview Mine for over a year....prices of fine quality faceted gems as well as specimens, continue to rise....
See the All That Glitters Quality! | ||
Commerical Quality Kunzite typically seen in the market. Usually almost colorless, cutting can be hit or miss. (Irradiated or Natural, we don't know) | A Kunzite faceted by our Award Winning Supreme Master Gemcutter (Stephen Kotlowski) from All That Glitters Rough! An incredibly Deep Pink for this species of gemstone. Natural Color. | Another Kunzite also faceted by our Award Winning Supreme Master Gemcutter, Stephen Kotlowski, from All That Glitters Rough purchased directly from the mine. This is Exceptional Color and something that we have only seen in the crystals themselves and only in a few extraordinary crystals. Also Natural Color. (Photographed under 65K Natural Daylight/Full Spectrum Lumichrome light) |
43.86ct California Kunzite, Oceanview Mine, Big Kahuna Zone approx late 2010
(3rd gemstone from an unique bi-color crystal!) |
A 43.86ct Natural Kunzite from the Oceanview Mine in California, faceted by our Award Winning Supreme Master Gemcutter (Stephen Kotlowski). The color can range from a lilac to pink depending on lights. The cutting style is a one of a kind creation in a kite shape. The optical effects draw the viewer in from the edges to the center in a step like fashion. 23.75x22.55x15.83mm (ovml-12-03c) $200/ct |
The above price is the wholesale price seen in Tucson 2012 at the GJX Show, International
Section, by Brasilians selling a fairly deep pink Kunzite faceted (as well as
in the rough). Their material was irradiated - our California Kunzite is entirely
natural!
The All That
Glitters Kunzite has:
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41.80ct
Bluish Purple California Kunzite, Oceanview Mine, Big Kahuna Zone approx late
2010 (1st gemstone from an unique bi-color crystal!) |
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Our Award Winning Master Cutter, Stephen Kotlowski, has completed an incredible Kunzite from a mine in the United States. This is indeed the color, a moderately deep bluish purple and was photographed under 65K Natural Daylight/Full Spectrum Lumichrome light. In diffused natural light inside as well as by a window, the wavelengths do allow this gem to show more purple, with hints of blue. The pinker image on the right is more typical of what one sees under office fluorescent and incandescent light. This 41.80ct Modified Trilliant measuring 20.00 x 20.00 x 20.00 x 17.80mm (ovml-12-03a) $200/ct (This is at the wholesale price for a Kunzite that doesn't have this expert faceting, or the color and clarity. When all is said and done, this is below wholesale for such a fine example of Kunzite - and it is American Gemstone too, as well as Natural!) | |
View photos of this gemstone being faceted from the original crystal and observe some of the the issues and problems that arise when faceting.... Faceting Kunzite Demo | |
Those in the jewelry trade saw this gemstone for the first time in early December. Mr. Brown, owner of All That Glitters was traveling and took one gemstone to show two people he had met previously - a GIA Gemologist and a Custom Goldsmith. When asked what they thought this gemstone was, the first guess was Amethyst; that was followed by a second guess of Sapphire. These two similar guesses were made by two individuals that were about 100 miles apart and with different backgrounds. Perhaps the very high polish (200k diamond) made them think this was Sapphire, but the color certainly points to Amethyst initially. |
California Kunzite from the Oceanview Mine, the Big Kahuna II Pocket! | |
Recent gemstone rough finds in San Diego Co. included the new Spodumenes from the Oceanview Mine. During the 2010 mining of the Oceanview Mine, the 'Big Kahuna' Zone was discovered. This was a large pocket with a series of smaller satellite pockets. The zone yield Spodumenes, Quartz, Tourmalines and Beryl. However, on 19 December, they encountered another rich zone: the Big Kahuna II. This zone, on the Baker Boulevard level, may be a down-dip continuation of the Big Kahuna zone that was dug on the next level above (Carter Court level) earlier in 2010. The above rough was faceted by our Master Cutter, so this means every facet meets perfectly and this piece could be entered into the AGTA Cutting Edge Competion. Due to the cutting, polish, color, sparkle and rarity of the material, and the fact that is an American Gemstone, it could possible win in one of the categories! 18.85cts - Shape is a custom design and is called - Uniquely K Ultima Oval 20.4 x 13.8 x 10.0mm ("very settable not deep at all and a fabulous deep color" - quote from our master cutter) $200/ct ($3,770) SOLD!(PBB) |
Note: Magnification and bright lighting is required to photograph gemstones. Some inclusions may be visible under these circumstances. You are viewing photographs as if you were using a loupe or microscope - not your unaided eye. Under normal conditions, these inclusions may not be visible.
Not responsible for mismatches of prices, photos, stocknumbers, etc.
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