Kunzite

Kunzite (spodumene)

Kunzite are one variety of the mineral spodumene. The first description of this mineral appeared in the early XX century from the pen of a famous scientist gemologist George Kunz, an employee of the jewelry company Tiffany & Co. The stone got its name in honor of that person. Advertising promotion of kunzite on the world market was organized by jewellery brand Tiffany & Co.

The color palette of stones is characterized by the presence of light pastel shades ranging from pink to purple hue. Above all estimated quntity rich pink color. In this case, the stones faded pink coloring purple hue have a lower cost. The crystals are a rich pink coloring with a minimum number of purple tones are evaluated is much more expensive. In the jewellery market quite often faceted stones of large size, containing no inclusions or cracks.

There are two varieties of the mineral spodumene. These include rare tifany having a yellow color, and green hiddenite. Few designers famous jewelry houses used kunzite in their collections, while tifany and hiddenite hardly used by jewelers.

The disadvantage of all spodumene is the color change after a certain time period. Noted that the light kunzite pink color fades under sunlight. Widespread refinement stones to improve color range by heat treatment and irradiation.

The main supply jewelry kunzite to world markets run from fields located in Brazil, USA, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Madagascar. Most quality stones supplied by the mining companies operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

First jewelry, decorated with kunzite, was introduced in the early twentieth century. The promotion of new products in the global market organized by the managers of the company Tiffany & Co. Famous movie actress Elizabeth Taylor belonged to a gorgeous jewelry set that contain kunzite, amethysts and diamonds, amazing cut.

The peak of the fame jewelry kunzite occurred in 1996. This year at Sotheby's was put up for sale the lot in the form of a ring with a kunzite, previously owned by Jacqueline Kennedy the wife of U.S. President John Kennedy. This ring is made on the basis of a 47 carat kunzite, framed by 20 diamonds, was purchased by the bidder more than $400,000 if the market value of $7,000.

Various models of standard products with kunzite are not very expensive. The cost of rings or earrings with quality kunzite varies depending on the mass of the crystal, its color and purity. Jewelers usually use for framing of kunzite white gold. In the Windows of jewelry stores there are virtually no decorations with these beautiful stones, you can only order the production of the desired decoration from a professional jeweler.