Jewel How

How to Tell a Real Kunzite

It was in 1902 when Kunzite was first discovered in California. Its name was inspired by George F. Kuntz, a gemologist. This specific gemstone comes from a certain mineral called spodumene. Kunzite is often found in huge sizes of as much as 8 carats.



While originally discovered in the US, other countries including Pakistan, Brazil, and Madagascar also have popular working mines for the gem.

The unique thing about Kunzite is that this exhibits the so-called pleochroism effect. This means that it produces different colors when viewed at various angles. Kunzite is a gemstone known for its affordable price that could be made into a stunning jewelry piece.

Things to Check for Real Kunzite

If you are curious how to tell a real Kunzite, there are a few things you can check to guarantee its authenticity.

Color

Be careful when checking the color of the gemstone you have. A real Kunzite gem will have a color of pink to pinkish violet. You also need to take note of the gemstone’s shade since there are some Kunzite stones with a lighter pink shade. These are often sold at a much cheaper price compared to Kunzite stones with richer pink tone.

Try moving the gemstone around in your hands then check if from different angles. If the colors you see in the gemstone are different when you move it around, it means that the gemstone got the pleochroism effect and there is a high chance that it is real Kunzite. The refractive index of Kunzite is 1.66 to 1.68 unlike diamond with a 2.417 refractive index.

Scrutinize the top of the gemstone. Its color must be very pink since cutters of Kunzite stone always cut this to ensure that the upper angle shows the pinkest color.

Clarity

The second most important feature you need to know if you want to determine if Kunzite is real is its clarity. It is very rare to see stones that are perfectly clear. What is even exceptionally rare is a perfectly clear large stone. The clarity of Kunzite gemstones can make up to 500% difference in price and the rest of the factors are equal.

Cut

Another thing that makes Kunzite gems unusual is the fact that the skill of the cutter affects not just the sparkle but the color as well. The gem should be oriented properly to reveal the strongest color. A carefully cut Kunzite stone sparkles endlessly with symmetric and even facets that meet at points.

Texture, Size, and Hardness

Don’t forget to check the gemstone’s size. If you have a small gemstone then cut to a ring or other small jewelry pieces, there is a small chance that it is real Kunzite. Kunzite is actually available in bigger sizes and this can be used in pendants or rings that feature stones with substantial size.

The hardness of the gemstone should also be considered. This is something that is best left to the hands of a professional jeweler. This is because real Kunzite gemstone tends to be very fragile and may break or chip if struck hard. Kunzite is found between 6 and 7 on the Mohs hardness scale for gemstones as compared to diamond at 10 on the same scale.

Always examine how the gemstone feels. Its surface should be smooth. Kunzite has a really good cleavage. It means that it can split along the very definite crystalline planes producing a smooth surface. It means that it can also be very hard to facet so it is hand cut most of the time.

Where Can You Find Kunzite?

After it was initially found in southern California, Kunzite is found in other countries as well, including Myanmar, Madagascar, Mexico, Canada, Australia, and Russia. It seems that largest and most important deposits can be found Brazil although as of the moment, the most famous source is at the mountains of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Process of Formation of Kunzite

Kunzite is one variety of Spodumene, which is a silicate mineral forming in permatite rock formations that are the result of magma or molten rock that comes up to the surface from below the crust of the earth. The magma cools then once it does, the gas bubbles will form as well as fissures and cracks where magma cools or overlaps at different times. Gases in bubbles escape then leave the gaps where the liquids seep into and into other cracks present in the pegmatite rock.

Real Kunzite

Through millions of years, these liquid dry and leave silicon crystals that grow for filling the gaps. There would be some mineral impurities in the original liquid that help create different gemstones including Kunzite.  As for Kunzite, its basic silica material has combined with aluminum, sodium, and lithium to form the crystals and manganese that is responsible for the pink to lilac color of the gemstone.

Kunzite Treatments and Fakes

It is not possible to grow Kunzite in laboratories so you can be sure that there is no such thing as synthetic Kunzite. However, there are times when Kunzite is imitated. These imitations of Kunzite can range from a simple case of fraud to a more serious criminal activity.

Always watch out for terms such as Kunzite Cz or Kunzite quartz. These materials are not related to Kunzite gemstones in any way. If you ever see such phrases, simply use the word pink instead of kunzite. Less reliable dealers will try to sell anything from pink glass to manmade quartz, synthetic corundrim, or pink synthetic spinel and pass this off as Kunzite.

In such instances, your best defense is to always compare the price and the clarity. If you see a huge stone with hot pink color and perfect clarity sold as Kunzite for a price lower than $100, it would be safe to assume that it is fake.

As Kunzite jewelry becomes more and more popular by the day, being seen in parties, fashion runways, and red carpets, it has become even more critical to know how to tell a real Kunzite to be sure that you are really getting the real thing and not a mere imitation.

How to Cleanse Kunzite

Following are proven ways to cleanse Kunzite:

Smoke Cleansing

One of the methods of crystal cleansing is through the use of smoke from certain types of incense and smudging herbs. You can use sage, rosemary, sandalwood, or frankincense. You do this by passing the kunzite crystal a few times over the stream of smoke until it feels ‘clean’ enough for you. You can even move the smoke in a counter-clockwise direction to set the intent for cleansing if you wish.

Water Cleansing

Another method you can use is running water. Simply place the kunzite crystal under running water for a few minutes. If you like, you can also imagine the negative energies being cleansed by the water, flowing out of the crystal and down the drain.

Utilizing Your Breath

This might be the simplest method there is. If you want a quick method to cleanse your kunzite, using your breath would be the way to go! Simply place the stone on your hand (preferably your dominant hand) and set the intention of cleansing for a moment as you inhale. Afterwards, bring the stone close to you and blow upon it forcefully, blowing away all the negative energies it might have absorbed.

Kunzite vs Rose Quartz

Kunzite vs Rose Quartz

While Kunzite and Rose Quartz are both purported to be healing crystals, there are drastic differences between the two; one of which is the method of healing that each crystal offers.

If you prefer a gentle, soft, and loving type of healing that is gradual and isn’t earth-shattering, you’re better off using Rose Quartz.

However, if you’re seeking to have more of an awakening or a spiritual opening type of experience, then Kunzite is the crystal you’re looking for.

Rose Quartz is mainly associated with the heart and root chakras, and allows healing to take place by instilling a sense of security and safety.

Kunzite, on the other hand, is associated with the heart, throat and third eye chakras, making it useful in aiding someone alleviate not only depression, but also anxiety, since it can calm one’s mind as well as one’s emotions, aligning one’s thoughts with balanced feeling.

Kunzite is also able to activate the chakras it’s associated with, and being a high vibrational stone, it packs a lot of power. By allowing you to tune into high vibrational energies, it’s able to form a shroud of protection around your aura, as well as helping you elevate from low vibrational emotions such as sadness, apathy and anger, to higher states of joy, compassion and inner stillness.

Does Kunzite Have Healing Properties?

healing kunzite

Crystals have always been magical. Our ancestors knew of this. Shamans used crystals in their rituals for healing, and even the royals of ages past believed in the power of these stones, harnessing the power of rubies to protect them from the evil eye and other maladies, among others.

Kunzite is no different. It is an excellent stone for alleviating anxiety and promoting emotional balance. Being a stone for the heart, throat and third eye chakras, Kunzite is capable not only of assisting you in calming your thoughts and your emotions but also in properly expressing and releasing the root causes of these imbalances.

Being a high vibrational stone, it can aid you in healing a broken heart, and working with it allows you to find a sense of freedom. This way, you not only move forward in life. You also develop a deeper sense of self-love and empowerment, knowing that whatever life throws at you, the sense of peace you carry within will be able to pull you through.