Spodumene is derived from the Greek, meaning "burnt to ashes," owing to the opaque, ash-grey appearance of material refined for use in industry. Kunzite and hiddenite are both a variety of the same base mineral known as Spodumene. Spodumene is a pyroxene mineral consisting of lithium aluminum silicate.
The standard, uncolored variety of Spodumene is used as a source of Lithium. Spodumene is known for its strong pleochroism, showing lighter and more intense coloring when viewed at different angles. It is a relatively rare mineral, occurring in association with quartz, microcline, albite, muscovite, lepidolite, tourmaline and beryl.
This stone suggests idea associated with fertility, beauty, growth, depth, and love. Spodumene gems are perfectly suited for setting into rings, pendants, brooches and earrings.
Spodumene has been known as a mineral for hundreds af years, but gem quality crystals were only discovered in about 1877. Spodumene is a relatively new mineral to science, being discovered in the last three centuries and gem varieties have only been discovered in the last 120 years.
California, North Carolina and South Dakota, USA; Afghanistan; Pakistan; Brazil and Madagascar.