Formula: LiAlSi₂O₆

Species: Silicates – (Inosilicates)

Name: Originally described by George F. Kunz in 1903 as a transparent, lilac, spodumene from Pala, California. Named in 1903 by H. Charles Baskerville in honor of George Frederick Kunz [1856-1932], American mineralogist, gemologist, author, editor, and vice-president of Tiffany and Co. of New York, New York – USA.

A variety of: Spodumene.

Kunzite is frequently irradiated to enhance the colour.