Kunzite - the youngest gemstone, its properties, history, photo selection and care tips

Kunzite is a pale pink mineral, a type of spodumene. The "youngest" gem, discovered at the beginning of the 20th century. Named after the American mineralogist G.F. Kunz, who first described it in detail. Thanks to its delicate pink-lilac colors, the stone has gained love and recognition from the beautiful half of humanity.

Story

It is impossible to read about kunzite in scientific archaeological works, historical chronicles. It may have been known by a different name in antiquity. Officially, its history begins in 1902, when a purple translucent stone was noticed during construction work in the suburbs of San Diego (USA). The miners mistook it for tourmaline, but just in case, they handed it over to the expert on precious stones Kunz for examination.

Looking at the stone, the mineralogist immediately realized that this was a novelty. He conducted the necessary research, expertise, completed the necessary documentation and registered a patent. Since then, Kunz has entered the history of archeology as the discoverer of a new mineral, which, moreover, was named after him - kunzite.

At that time, Kunz was on the staff of the Tiffany jewelry house.He knew well the tastes and preferences of consumers in the jewelry market, so he suggested that the owners create a collection with a pink crystal. Instinct did not fail, the collection scattered like "hot cakes", and the gem became the most desired among the tops of society on both sides of the ocean.

Field

The appearance of kunzite was not shrouded in any special romance and mystery. It is one of the varieties of spodumene, which is mined to produce lithium metal.

Spodumene is used in industry for the manufacture of glass. But there are incredibly beautiful spodumene crystals that are well formed and have a beautiful color. These crystals are in great demand in jewelry, so deposits are being searched for their extraction.

Spodumene crystals are famous for their stunning size.

For example, there is a historical note that in 1914 a crystal 13 m high and weighing 90 tons was found in South Dakota.

In Russia, the gem is mined in the region of pegmatite veins of the Kola Peninsula. In Afghanistan, in the Badakhshan region, high-quality arrays of 10 kg are found. There are deposits in Brazil, California. The most valuable specimens of stone are mined in these mines. Small mines for the extraction of the mineral are scattered around the world.

The complexity of using spodumene as a gemstone lies in its properties. It is difficult to process, cannot be cut, brittle, crumbles when polished, and in bright light loses its natural hue. To obtain a beautiful shade, the stone is cut at a certain angle.

Physical Properties

Kunzite is remarkable in that even after processing it retains the property of pleochroism.It selectively absorbs light waves due to its internal structure and changes hue when turned: from pale pink to colorless, from lilac to deep purple. This effect can be observed visually, without the aid of a microscope.

The main physical properties of kunzite are:

1. The value on the mineralogical scale of hardness (Mohs Scale) is 6.5. The stone is brittle and can be scratched with a knife or piece of glass.
2. Contains manganese ions.
3. The syngony is monoclinic. The basis of the crystal structure is a unit cell on three vectors of different lengths, two vectors at a right angle, and the third between them at an indirect angle.
4. The fracture is uneven. When splitting the mineral, uneven surfaces with pronounced cleavage are visible.
5. Cleavage is pronounced (perfect).
6. Transparent, translucent.
7. Color grayish-white, pink, lilac, violet, colorless.
8. Surface with a sheen like glass.
9. The refractive index of light is 1.68.

Pink kunzite with a good cut looks like a diamond. Among spodumenes, such a stone is most in demand in the jewelry market.

In second place in demand is another variety of spodumene - giddenite. It has emerald green hues due to the presence of chromium and vanadium ions.

Tryfan, the third variety of spodumene, is colored in pale yellow and green hues, but is most often transparent and colorless.

Under the action of ultraviolet radiation, the crystal exhibits the property of luminescence (like phosphorus, a non-thermal glow in the dark occurs after the absorption of excitation energy).

Magic abilities

Kunzite stone is respected by esotericists.

They use the powerful energy of the mineral for rituals.Kunzite protects the owner's mind from stress, depression, unhappy love, and its aura has a kind effect on the worldview, giving harmony.

Impressive and good-natured owners will be protected from deceit, modest and insecure will inspire will, composure, and young and naive girls will be protected from evil people with dishonest intentions.

A talisman with kunzite brings happiness and good luck to the owner. No wonder the poetess Evdokia Rostopchina wrote “I have a sacred talisman. I keep it..."

It is believed that kunzite protects the mind. Normalizes peace of mind, gives a correct understanding of the world without excessive idealization and excessive attachment to anything. Kunzite is used in meditation, for immersion in a trance. In a person, inner forces open up, superpowers appear. The crystal affects the chakras, increasing the potential of the energy field.

With the help of kunzite, you can conduct home rituals. You need to choose a time when no one will interfere, sit comfortably, close your eyes, attach a stone to the heart chakra and imagine a pink ray that goes from the heart to the forehead of a person. As soon as the imagination clearly visualizes the beam, you need to hold your breath, exhale and send the beam back to the heart. The rite sets you up for a good, productive day.

The rite with a pink ray is good for children. They have a well developed imagination. The talisman forms an invisible cocoon around the child, which protects them from evil influences.

Kunzite helps its owner in everyday life, normalizes energy flows and creates a positive microclimate:

• people who tend to "cut off the shoulder", stabilizes emotions;
• relieves melancholy;
• restores mental health;
• starts brain activity;
• gives inspiration, for which it is valued by creative natures;
• helps to awaken talents.

A talisman with kunzite can be found in the workshops of eminent artists, the offices of famous writers, composers and scientists.

The pink crystal miraculously makes its owner invulnerable, makes one feel self-respect and persevere towards the goal.

The raw spodumene crystal is the strongest money magnet.

Healing properties

Lithotherapists have studied the effect of the mineral on human health and recommend using it in the treatment of such diseases:

1. Colds, acute respiratory infections;
2. Weak blood vessels, circulatory disorders;
3. allergies;
4. Headaches, migraines;
5. insomnia, depression;
6. Women's ailments (painful menstruation);
7. Skin rash of any origin;
8. Hypertension.

What signs of the zodiac suits

Astrologers love kunzite for its versatility. He will give harmony, love, peace to any sign of the Zodiac, tune in to a wave of friendliness, give optimism, help to cope with uncertainty and timidity. The stone is especially good for making amulets and talismans for children. Kunzite loves children and uses his powerful internal energy to protect babies from negative influences.

No sign of the Zodiac should worry about who suits the kunzite stone. This mineral is unique in its versatility. It suits everyone.

How to care for kunzite products

Despite its high hardness, kunzite is a rather brittle stone, moreover, it does not like direct sunlight. Based on these properties, it is easy to formulate the main rules of lean storage:

1. Jewelry should be stored in an individual opaque box, or in a common box, but in a velvet bag.
2. Keep away from sources of heat.
3. Do not expose to direct sunlight. Because of them, kunzite will lose its natural color up to complete discoloration.
4. Do not wash in hot water.
5. Protect from drops and bumps. Kunzite is easily chipped and scratched, which disfigures its appearance.

The product with kunzite can be washed in cool water with a small amount of baby shampoo. After that, wipe with a napkin and dry thoroughly.

There are fakes - the main signs

If you want to buy kunzite, it is important not to fall for its analogues. Pheonite, quartz, corundum are of low cost, but outwardly similar to kunzite. Unscrupulous sellers in jewelry stores can take advantage of the ignorance of the buyer, who saw kunzite only in the photo, and pass off a cheap stone as a precious one.

It is easy to distinguish a fake, the main thing is to remember the basic physical properties of real kunzite.

Here are some simple steps to help spot a fake:

• Shine a lighter on the stone. It must absorb this light excitation and emit a faint glow in the dark.
• Kunzite has a pronounced cleavage. This is the property of crystals to split along crystallographic directions. When examining kunzite in the light, this layering can be seen.
• This stone has a non-standard cut (rounded prism).
• Pleochroism. The property of a crystal to play with shades within the same color.

Kunzite was discovered not so long ago, but has already managed to demonstrate its unique healing and magical properties. He is friendly and perfect for all zodiac signs. Products with kunzite are highly valued because of the beautiful iridescence of the pink hue.

Photo of Kunzite stone