Image: James St. John (CC BY 2.0)
monoclinicuncommonsilicates
Kunzite
LiAlSi₂O₆
A transparent, faceted gemstone exhibiting a delicate pink to lilac-purple color, characteristic of the spodumene variety Kunzite. It often displays strong pleochroism.
Kunzite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
6.5Crystal System
monoclinicLuster
vitreousStreak Color
whiteCleavage
perfect on {110}Fracture
unevenSpecific Gravity
3.18Colors
pink, lilac, purpleTransparency
transparentType Locality
Minas Gerais (Brazil), Nuristan (Afghanistan), San Diego County (California, USA)Mineral Group
silicatesUses
jewelry, collectorAssociated Minerals
quartz, albite, lepidolite, tourmaline, berylRarity
uncommonGeological Context
Kunzite forms in lithium-rich granitic pegmatites, which are very coarse-grained igneous rocks. It crystallizes from the late-stage hydrothermal fluids within these pegmatite intrusions.
