One of the most feminine gemstones on the planet.
In 1902, the now world famous gemmologist George Frederick Kunz was the first person to give a complete explanation of this gemstone when he discovered it in California.
Its colour of lilac and delicate pink hues is unique in the gem world, and it is thought of as one of the most romantic and feminine of gems. When you look at a Kunzite it can appear pink, violet and sometimes colourless from different angles; this optical effect is known as pleochroism. It is a member of the Spodumene family and when found in a yellow or greenish blue colour it is known as Hiddenite. While Kunzite is rare, Hiddenite is so scarce it is virtually unobtainable! One of the most beautiful aspects of Kunzite is its ability to retain light. The effect is known as
p h o s p h o r e s c e n c e, which gives the gem the ability to glow in the dark. This luminous appearance is due to the fact that Kunzite is able to absorb energy and slowly releases it in the form of light. The effect is similar to luminous hands on a watch, which help you tell the time when you wake in the middle of the night. Being such a relatively new discovery, there is little folklore surrounding this gem, other than it is said to amplify love, peace and joy. Kunzite is believed to be an excellent relationship gem, removing obstacles and promoting fidelity. In her book “Healing Crystals” written in 2003, Cassandra Eason suggests, among other things, that Kunzite relieves hormonal problems in pregnancy, the early days of motherhood and lingering post-natal depression. She also suggests that you should “put a Kunzite in a charm bag when travelling by car, both to counter road rage in others and to calm your own tensions in traffic”.
Although there are no legends relating to this gem, there is one true story which begins in 1963 when JFK bought his wife Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis a Kunzite ring to celebrate their 10th Christmas together. Regrettably, he was assassinated before he had chance to give it to her. For a very long period after his death, it was almost impossible to separate Jackie Kennedy and her Kunzite.
The gem can be found in Afghanistan, USA, Brazil, Madagascar, Mexico, Burma and Sweden and is often found in mines which also herald Beryls and Tourmalines. Kunzite has tiny traces of manganese which creates its famous lilac colour. As this colour can sometimes fade, it is not recommended to wear it for prolonged periods in direct sunlight.
