Brazil Kunzite is the pink to light purple gem variety of the mineral spodumene. While spodumene is a common mineral it is only in a few select localities that it occurs in transparent gem form. One gem form is the pink kunzite, and another gem form is green hiddenite (see lot 2204A for an example from North Carolina). First found in Pala, California, in 1902, kunzite is named after the gemologist George F. Kunz (1856-1932)—the pioneering gemologist and Vice President of Tiffany and Co who originally helped bring the stone to market. The present museum-quality stone is an immense emerald-cut gem that was originally cut in 1981 from Brazilian rough weighing approximately one kilo. Named the "Holt" Kunzite for the descendants of Michael Holt who settled in Alamance County, North Carolina, circa 1750, the stone has passed by descent through the family. An article written by noted gem cutter John Ramsey in 1981 stated: "It should first be mentioned that the availability of a one-kilo, essentially clean kunzite crystal from Brazil in today's marketplace is in itself a phenomenon. Certainly, a number of fine crystals from Brazil were available in the late 1950s and 1960s, but these disappeared from the market some time ago. Afghanistan produces kunzite, but nothing of the size and quality of the crystal described. This particular crystal, which was virtually unflawed and of superb color, had been held in a European collection for 25 years before its release". A published piece, the stone was illustrated in the well-known gemologists reference guide entitled the Color Encyclopedia of Gemstones, by Joel Arem, who stated "While the Smithsonian possesses a stone of 880 carats, this 722 carats stone is far superior in color and cut with both its deep saturation and high brilliancy." Highly transparent, and possessing a superb reddish purple color, the deep saturation and high brilliance of this stone places it into a category of rare gemstones worthy of inclusion in the finest private collection or museum. Weighing approximately 722.42 carats and measuring 42.95 x 39.25 x 43.85mm
Brazil Kunzite is the pink to light purple gem variety of the mineral spodumene. While spodumene is a common mineral it is only in a few select localities that it occurs in transparent gem form. One gem form is the pink kunzite, and another gem form is green hiddenite (see lot 2204A for an example from North Carolina). First found in Pala, California, in 1902, kunzite is named after the gemologist George F. Kunz (1856-1932)—the pioneering gemologist and Vice President of Tiffany and Co who originally helped bring the stone to market. The present museum-quality stone is an immense emerald-cut gem that was originally cut in 1981 from Brazilian rough weighing approximately one kilo. Named the "Holt" Kunzite for the descendants of Michael Holt who settled in Alamance County, North Carolina, circa 1750, the stone has passed by descent through the family. An article written by noted gem cutter John Ramsey in 1981 stated: "It should first be mentioned that the availability of a one-kilo, essentially clean kunzite crystal from Brazil in today's marketplace is in itself a phenomenon. Certainly, a number of fine crystals from Brazil were available in the late 1950s and 1960s, but these disappeared from the market some time ago. Afghanistan produces kunzite, but nothing of the size and quality of the crystal described. This particular crystal, which was virtually unflawed and of superb color, had been held in a European collection for 25 years before its release". A published piece, the stone was illustrated in the well-known gemologists reference guide entitled the Color Encyclopedia of Gemstones, by Joel Arem, who stated "While the Smithsonian possesses a stone of 880 carats, this 722 carats stone is far superior in color and cut with both its deep saturation and high brilliancy." Highly transparent, and possessing a superb reddish purple color, the deep saturation and high brilliance of this stone places it into a category of rare gemstones worthy of inclusion in the finest private collection or museum. Weighing approximately 722.42 carats and measuring 42.95 x 39.25 x 43.85mm
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
