Kunzite is the pink/lilac colored version of spodumene. Green spodumene is called hiddenite and the yellow and clear variety is called spodumene.
Spodumene is a pyroxene mineral, silicon-aluminum oxides, which contain many important minerals like lithium, aluminum, iron and more. Of course we are interested in them for their beauty rather than their mineral content so let's move on!
The history of kunzite is recent. It was named after Dr. George Kunz who was a self taught mineralogist and gemologist from New York City during the late 1800's & early 1900's. His passion for minerals and collecting them earned him employment with the famous Tiffany & Co. at the turn of the century. He quickly rose in the ranks to become Vice President of the company at the age of 23.
Dr. Kunz with a kunzite specimen. Source - Oceanview Mines, LLC. Original photographer unknown.
In 1902, while at Tiffany's Dr. Kunz identified a lilac colored spodumene specimen that came from Hiriart Mountain in Pala, Ca. In his honor the mineral was named Kunzite and the hunt was on for more.
In 1903, shortly after that initial discovery the Pala Chief mine was opened just over the hill. It quickly generated some of the finest gem quality kunzite in the world. Today the Pala Chief's tailings are still producing treasure for us gem hunters and it's sister mine, the Oceanview Mine, is an active mine whose tailings can also be dug through for a fee.
Me entering one of the Pala Chief mine tunnels the other week.
The map below shows the Pala Mining District in Pala, Ca. The pin marks Hiriart Mountain where the first kunzite specimen was found. The Oceanview Mine located above it is still a working mine that produces tourmaline, beryl(aquamarine & morganite), kunzite, spodumene and several other gemstones. Just below it in the center you can see some other famous mines. The Stewart Mine is centered and left of the orchard. It produced many beautiful gem tourmalines, morganites, and kunzites as well. The whole mountain is called the "Tourmaline Queen Mountain" aptly named for the tourmalines it's mines produced.
Then, just below we have the other "gem" Pala casino! Just incase you feel even luckier after digging for gems! We did two weekends ago and stayed there after digging at the Oceanview Mine. You can see my review of their buffet here. Unfortunately we were only lucky at the mine.
While Dr. Kunz officially identified kunzite as a member of the spodumene family in 1902, it is also found in Afghanistan, Brazil, Pakistan, Madagascar and Mozambique. It's possible it was used in other cultures before 1902, but not officially identified as being in the spodumene family.
Kunzite is found in "pegmatites", holowcrystalline, intrusive igneous rocks composed of crystals over 2.5cm, usually along with other pegmatite gems like tourmaline, beryl, garnet and lepidolite. It's every gem hunter's dream to find a pegmatite.
Kunzite is actually a fragile gem. Despite it's semi-hardness, it cleaves easily and so it is often cut for larger, pendant settings. Additionally the color will fade when exposed to sunlight. Despite this it is still treasured because of it's pink/lilac color and large crystals.
Here are some useful links for leaning more about kunzite and the Pala mining district:
Pala Chief Mine - Along with the Oceanview mine, you can dig for gems there for a fee. Maybe you'll see me there!
Pala International - Headed by Bill Larson, legendary miner and collector
And two videos from the GIA showing you mining for kunzite at the Pala Chief & Oceanview Mines.
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