Pink Kunzite

[TroyJ49412]

That is a very colorful ring! I like it! Well done!

I would like to state a cautionary note: Some (not all) kunzite is sensitive to sunlight! Some pinks are irradiated to enhance the hue, then heat treated to make the color “more” permanent. These can still fade to colorless, if heated above 500C or exposure to intense sunlight.

Tenebrescence is the phenomena. This is a characteristic found in the spodumene family. It is more prevalent in the blue variety, but can affect kunzite as well. If the stone has chromium, it can be irradiated to recover the pink hue. However, there is risk it would be a temporary effect.

There was a discussion on this effect last July/August.

Blue Spodumene Fades in What Light, and Why?

Hello! Does anyone know how the phenomenon of blue spodumene fading to colourless when exposed to sunlight? But what is in the sunlight to cause it to fade? Is it both the UVA and UVB radiation, or is it the colour of the radiation (green light or red light)? Is it just sunlight, or any lighting that would cause spodumene to fade? I hope to hear an answer from someone who can answer this question. Please be as detailed as possible; the more scientific information, the better. Thank you!

Another good resource on Kunzite:

Kunzite gemstone information

You should caution your customer, who purchases that work of art, about protecting the stone from sunlight and that it should be considered an “Evening Stone”.

Cheers!