About Hiddenite and Kunzite

Where Found

Spodumene is the mineral composing two comparatively new and charming gems, Hiddenite and Kunzite. Ordinarily spodumene 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 some ten years ago and no fresh supply of hiddenite has ever been discovered.

Kunzite Where 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. Kunz, 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.