RocksdayKunzite vs Spodumene
To tell Kunzite from Spodumene: Plain spodumene is the same mineral without the pink color.
Lilac-pink spodumene, colored by manganese. It cleaves easily and can fade in strong sun.
Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0
A lithium silicate from granite pegmatites. Pink kunzite and green hiddenite are its gem forms; plain spodumene is a major lithium ore.
Photo: Parent Géry, CC BY-SA 3.0
Key differences
- Plain spodumene is the same mineral without the pink color.
- Kunzite is the lilac gem form of spodumene.
Side by side
| Property | Kunzite | Spodumene |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5–7 | 6.5–7 |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | Pink, Purple | Pink, Purple, Green, White |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic | Monoclinic |
| Specific gravity | 3.1–3.2 | 3.1–3.2 |
| Formula | LiAlSi₂O₆ | LiAlSi₂O₆ |
| Found in | Pala, California; Nuristan, Afghanistan | Greenbushes, Western Australia; Afghanistan |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify kunzite
- Pink to lilac, often deepest when you look down the length of the crystal.
- Flattened, striated prisms that split along flat planes.
- A knife does not scratch it, but it splits if knocked.
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Full Kunzite guide →How to identify spodumene
- Flattened, striated prisms, often lilac-pink.
- Two cleavages at nearly 90° — splits easily.
- Color looks deepest down the length of the crystal.
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Full Spodumene guide →More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between kunzite and spodumene?
Kunzite is a mineral (LiAlSi₂O₆) with a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7 and a vitreous luster, usually pink or purple. Spodumene is a mineral (LiAlSi₂O₆) with a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7 and a vitreous luster, usually pink, purple, green or white.
How can you tell kunzite from spodumene?
Plain spodumene is the same mineral without the pink color. Kunzite is the lilac gem form of spodumene.
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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