Spodumene
Spodumene is a lithium-containing silicate mineral that is known by different names depending on its color, such as "Kunzite" for pink to light pink, "Hiddenite" for green, and "Triphane" for yellow. The name is derived from the Greek word spodumenos, meaning "burnt to ash," reflecting its property of turning grey when heated.
Kunzite, prized for its soft pink color
Basic Information
| English Name | Spodumene |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | Lithia Pyroxene (Upyokuseki) |
| Chemical Composition | LiAl[Si₂O₆] |
| Crystal System | Monoclinic |
| Hardness | 6.5–7 |
| Specific Gravity | Approx. 3.13 |
Colors and Varieties
- Kunzite: A stone colored pink to pale pink by Mn. It was named after the American gemologist Kunz. It is sensitive to light and heat and may fade if exposed to sunlight for long periods.
- Hiddenite: A green variety named after Hidden, a mining superintendent in North Carolina. Stones colored by Cr are stable, but those colored by other factors are said to be prone to fading in light.
- Triphane: A yellow type colored by Fe.
- Cat's Eye type: Stones with developed tubular inclusions are sold as Spodumene Cat's Eye or, if they exhibit two colors, as Bicolor Spodumene Cat's Eye.
- Party-colored: Some stones exhibit multiple colors, such as pink and yellowish-green, separated within a single crystal.
Trade Names, Treatments, and Similar Stones
Kunzite is sometimes referred to by the trade name "Lithia Amethyst," and Hiddenite by "Lithia Emerald." These names come from their resemblance to Amethyst for the purplish-pink varieties, and Emerald for the green varieties.
Lighter stones may undergo dyeing treatments on cleavage planes or irradiation treatments. Stones colored by irradiation to resemble high-quality Hiddenite are often unstable and may revert to their original color under normal lighting; however, deep yellow-tinted Kunzite that has been heated after irradiation is relatively color-stable.
In appearance, pink Kunzite is very similar to Morganite, Triphane to yellow Beryl, and Hiddenite to green Beryl.
Handling Precautions: Spodumene has strong pleochroism and is an attractive stone whose color changes depending on the viewing angle, but it is very prone to splitting due to its strong cleavage.