Hiddenite and Kunzite Information

Spodumene is the mineral composing two comparatively new and charming gems, Hiddenite and Kunzite. Ordinarily spodumeme is of a white or gray color, and possesses no great value as a gem, but in its rarer form as hiddenite it possesses a beautiful emerald-green color. The only deposit of hiddenite known was found accidentally by Mr. W. E. Hidden, through the overturning of a tree on a farm near Stony Point, Alexander County, North Carolina. The mineral is somewhat hard to polish, owing to the danger of splitting, due to its marked prismatic cleavage.

Although the stone possesses beautiful qualities as a gem and commands a high price it is unfortunately little known, as the mine at Stony Point, North Carolina was reported to have been exhausted in the early 1900's and no fresh supply of hiddenite has ever been discovered.

Kunzite: Where It's Found

Kunzite is one of the newest gem minerals known. It was discovered during the course of some mining for tourmaline, near Pala, San Diego County, California, and was named in honor of Dr. Kinz, who was for many years the special agent of the United States Government, and compiled the official document concerning gems, appearing annually, together with other reports, under the name of the "Mineral Resources of the United States."

Color:

Kunzite is dichroic, and possesses a charming and almost indescribable light-blue color, which has been characterized as deep rose lilac and delicate pink amethystine. The same crystal displays two different tints when viewed at different angles.

The mineral is now highly prized as a gem, and its beautiful and delicate color make it entirely unique. Unfortunately and supply is very limited. The purely chance discovery of such a new and beautiful gem forms what might almost be regarded as a romance. Think of the chance conjunction in nature of the peculiar chemical properties forming the mineral, then the centuries of the infinitesimal growth of the crystals from these solutions, and finally when the whole had reached its last stage of perfection, its chance discovery through the prick of the miner's pickaxe.