The Stone of Tenderness

Kunzite is the delicate pink-to-lilac variety of spodumene, named after the gemologist George Frederick Kunz. Its soft colour and strong pleochroism (appearing different shades from different angles) make it a distinctive cutting challenge.

Gemologically, kunzite is described as transparent, with a vitreous luster — qualities that shape how it catches and carries light once cut. Its colour comes from manganese, and a Mohs hardness in this range is durable enough for regular wear, though it benefits from being set thoughtfully and kept away from harder gems in storage.

A Twentieth-Century Discovery

Unlike gems with histories stretching back millennia, kunzite is a comparatively modern discovery — first described in 1902 from material found near Pala, California, and named after George Frederick Kunz, the influential gemologist and buyer for Tiffany & Co. Kunz's endorsement helped popularise the stone in American jewellery in the early 20th century, and it has remained closely associated with that era's taste for soft, romantic pastel gems ever since — a relatively young stone with an outsized influence on how coloured gems were marketed in the modern era.

Where Kunzite Comes From

Folklore and Healing Traditions

Kunzite has held a place in decorative arts, folklore, and crystal-healing traditions across cultures for centuries. Those drawn to this dimension of the stone often choose it for its colour and character as much as for any tradition attached to it — a personal, rather than prescriptive, choice.

How Kunzite Is Graded

Quality in kunzite is generally assessed across colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight — with colour and overall character typically the dominant factors in value.

What a Lab Report Confirms

A lab report identifies the species, describes colour, and discloses any treatment. Kunzite is typically untreated, though its colour can fade with prolonged exposure to strong light — a key care consideration.

Natural, Ethical, Jaipur-Sourced

Every kunzite in the Paraiso Jewels vault is described accurately as to its natural or treated status on its label. We source through Jaipur's gem market — one of the world's oldest and most concentrated coloured-stone trading centres — and our stones can be verified at GTL Jaipur, the region's principal gem testing authority.

On request, each piece can be accompanied by documentation covering weight, dimensions, and treatment status. If you have questions about the origin or treatment of a specific stone, contact us via WhatsApp or email and we'll provide full details.