Kunzite, discovered in California in 1902, was named after Tiffany’s chief gemologist, George Frederick Kunz.

Kunz described this durable pastel pink gemstone as having two distinct properties: “phosphorescence” where Kunzite, in this aspect similar to Diamonds, is observed to glow in a darkened room after it has been exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays and “pleochroism”, showing different colors when viewed from different directions.

These phenomena are best seen in larger sized gems set into jewelry like pendants, drop and chandelier earrings, and rings with open prong or bar settings that let light flow freely through them, accentuating Kunzite’s fire to full effect.

Kunzite radiates pure Parisian chic, revealing delicate raspberry pinks, frosty lilacs, cool lavenders and hot fuchsias under the warm glow of incandescent light (candlelight). Its subtle coloring perfectly compliments “décolleté” eveningwear, dreamy candlelight and tender blushes, hence its colloquial name “the evening gemstone”.

Aside from their obvious physical beauty, pink gemstones possess potent metaphysical properties. Alternative healers use a multitude of pink gems in conjunction with the “heart chakra”. The 4th of 7 energy points that run the course of the human body, the heart chakra is believed to carry the emotional sensibilities of love and compassion.

Some believe that when the 4th chakra is blocked we experience emotions such as anxiety, fear, anger and frustration. Crystal healers use the properties of pink gems like Pink Tourmaline and Kunzite to free the heart chakra from this negative energy.

This alternative approach of enhancing the “power of pink” is a viewpoint shared and supported by traditional methods of medicine and psychology:

The lithium in Kunzite's chemical composition, lithium aluminum silicate, gives it a wonderful pink violet color that compliments both autumn and spring wardrobes.

As a member of the Spodumene family, Kunzite is closely related to Hiddenite, the green variety of Spodumene. Hiddenite is an attractive gem, but is extremely rare and for the most part is known only by collectors. While Kunzite is usually thought of as a pink to violet gemstone, Yellow Kunzite is a trade name used to describe Yellow Spodumene. Displaying delicate pastel lemon meringues, Yellow Kunzite hails from Madagascar and Afghanistan, and possesses all the attributes of Kunzite, albeit in another color, providing Kunzite lovers with a delightful alternative.

Kunzite is strongly pleochroic, meaning there is a color intensity variation when a crystal is viewed from different directions. The top and the bottom of the crystal reveal the deepest colors and our experienced gem cutters always take this into consideration when faceting Kunzite for GemsTV.