Pink kunzite is a variety of the mineral spodumene that can range in color from pale pink to intense violet or purple:

• Color

  The most important factor in determining the value of kunzite, with more vivid colors being more valuable.

• Clarity

  Kunzite is usually very clean, but inclusions that affect transparency can reduce its value.

• Pleochroism

  An optical effect where the color of the gemstone changes depending on the angle it is viewed.

• Phosphorescence

  A glow that occurs in a dark space after being exposed to sunlight or UV light.

• Cleavage

  Kunzite has perfect cleavage in two directions, making it difficult to cut.

Kunzite was first discovered in 1902 in the Pala Mountains near San Diego, California, and was named after George Frederick Kunz, the first to identify it as a unique variety of spodumene.