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| Kunzite |
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| Kunzite |
Rainbow
Kunzite |
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Kunzite
Discovered in 1902, Kunzite was
named after G F Kunz, the chief
gemologist of Tiffany's and a
noted mineralogist of the time.
Known as the 'evening stone',
Kunzite is the pink variety of
Spodumene, while the green variety
of the stone is known as Hiddenite.
Kunzite exhibits pleochroism,
that is there is quite a color
variation when the crystal is
seen either from the top or bottom.
And because of its strong pleochroism,
cleavage and splintery fracture,
it is considered to be a real
challenge to a gem cutter. However
its lovely pink to violet color
makes Kunzite a very attractive
and desirable gemstone.
As
it is a pastel gem, it shows its
color well in larger sizes. Made
up of lithium aluminum silicate
(LiAl (Si2O6)) the lithium in
Kunzite’s chemical composition
gives it the beautiful pink-violet
color. As this stone can fade
in high heat or direct sunlight,
it is best worn in the evening
– thus earning the nickname
‘Evening Stone’.
The
astrological signs for Kunzite
are Scorpio, Taurus
& Leo and this stone is believed
to promote peace and purification
and is considered excellent for
meditation.
A
fragile stone with a hardness
of 6 - 7 on the Moh’s scale
this stone is mined in Afghanistan,
Brazil, Burma, Canada, Madagascar,
Malagasy Republic, Mexico, Pakistan,
Russia,
Sweden and the United States.
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| Kornerupine |
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| Kornerupine |
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A rare mineral Kornerupine is known
for its color change property and
its intense green color. First found
in Fiskernaes, Greenland, Kornerupine
was named after the Danish geologist
and explorer of Greenland, A. N.
Kornerup.
Depending
on the angle at which the stone
is being viewed, the colors of Kornerupine
range from brown, colorless, green,
greenish-yellow, pink to lavender.
This stone claims the highest value
when cut along its green axis orientation.
Kornerupine is also found in cat’s
eye stones.
Found
in Ratnapura - Sri Lanka, Betroka
- Madagascar, Harts Range - Australia,
Kenya and the Nuuk area of Greenland,
the stone is formed from Magnesium
Aluminum Iron Boro-silicate Hydroxide
[Mg4(Al, Fe)6(Si, Al, B)5O21(OH).
It ranks 6 - 7 on the Moh’s
Scale of Hardness, has a Specific
Gravity of 3.3 and the crystals
range from transparent to translucent
forms.
It
is suitable to make jewellery from
this stone because of its hardness
and is gaining popularity in the
gemstone market. However due to
its scarcity, it is considered to
be a collectors stone. It is also
said to help stabilize the emotional
swings in patients suffering from
depression.
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| Kyanite |
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| Kyanite |
Kyanite
is comprised of Aluminum Silicate
(Al2 SiO5) with a Refractive
Index of 1.71-1.75 and Specific
Gravity of 3.58.The name Kyanite
is derived from the Greek kyanos
meaning "blue" as the finest
specimens display colors similar
to Blue Sapphire. Like Diamonds,
Kyanite has perfect cleavage
in one direction, a fact that
gem cutters take into consideration
when faceting this unusual gemstone.
Kyanite is commonly cut into
Baguette, Octagon, Oval and
Pear shapes.
While
Kyanite is most commonly blue
in color it can also appear
as white, gray or green. A splintery
stone with perfect cleavage,
its hardness is different on
the parallel and perpendicular
axes - a very rare trait amongst
gemstones. Lengthwise Kyanite's
hardness is 4-5, while Crosswise
it is 6-7 on the Moh's scale.
Kyanite
can be found in a wide variety
of locations around the world
including: Brazil, India, Kenya,
Mozambique, Nepal, Russia, Serbia,
Switzerland, Tibet, and in the
USA in the states of North Carolina
and Georgia.
Kyanite's
color is often not consistent
throughout the crystal and can
be blotchy or in streaks. Kyanite
is a difficult stone to cut,
making quality of faceting an
important value consideration.
Overall Kyanite is an affordable
gem type and its unusual characteristics
make it a very striking statement
of individuality for those who
choose to wear this little-known
yet very attractive gem.
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