Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Pala, California, USA
SIZE : 30 x 20 x 15 mm
WEIGHT : 57.42 cts

This gem is a spodumene (kunzite variety) sized as a drop. It is pale pink and weighs 57.42 carats (11.77 grams) and measures 30 x 20 x 15 mm.

The uncut crystal used for this gem comes from the mineral deposit of Pala in California, USA. This specimen was sent to the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in the beginning of the 20th century by George F. Kuntz (an expert for Tiffany who built up an outstanding collection of gems).

It is today kept in the storage rooms of the collections of the Muséum. (i.e., not yet displayed to the public)

Photography: A. Dahmane / Photo Saint-Hilaire, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Spodumene
VARIETY :Kunzite

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word "σποδυμενοσ" [spodumenos] meaning "ash" colour, in reference to its gray cristals

Species first described in 1800 by José Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva (1763-1838), Brazilian politician and geologist

Type-locality: Utö Island, Sodermanland, Sweden
ANCIENT NAME : Triphane

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Li Al Si2O6
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Monoclinic
COLOR : Colourless, pink, yellow, green, violet, gray
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Prismatic crystals, flats and striated
HARDNESS : 6,5-7,0
DENSITY : 3,184

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Silicates
GROUP : Pyroxen (Li)
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/F.01-120
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.DA.30

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