Spodumene Var Kunzite

A magnificent cabinet single crystal of Kunzite of extraordinary pastel pink measuring to a maximum length of 13.8 cm.  This truly stunning example of Kunzite, the pink variety of Spodumene, is from the Mawi Pegmatite in north-eastern Afghanistan.  The crystal is large and substantial yet possesses the most delicate colours containing a gemmy transparency of ethereal quality.  The crystal has an excellent termination and on one prism face is partly encrusted with white bladed Albite and prismatic rod-like crystals of gemmy pale pink Tourmaline laying perfectly flat across the Kunzite.  The termination faces exhibit superb gently stepped surfaces appearing like snakeskin scales whereas the broad flat prism faces are deeply striated and the narrow edge faces are mirror smooth.  Like all Kunzite, the crystal displays excellent trichroism, in that the prism exhibits three different colours when viewed along each of its three axes.  A museum quality Kunzite from the Mawi valley gem pegmatite in Afghanistan.