Spodumene Gemstones - Hiddenite, Kunzite & Triphane

Introduction

The term Spodumene may appear unconventional for the family of gemstones that includes the exceptional kunzite and Hiddenite. The name is rooted in the Greek word "Spodumenos," meaning "burnt to ashes," a reference to the gray hue of many Spodumene varieties resembling burnt ash. All types of Spodumene display a distinct pleochroic nature.

While Spodumene itself is rarely fashioned into jewelry, its notable descendants—Hiddenite, Kunzite, and the newly recognized Triphane—are some of the world's most sought-after gemstones. Interestingly, Triphane shares its name with the well-known sleep-inducing compound Tryptophan, found plentifully in turkey. This might explain why many feel drowsy after a hearty turkey dinner during festive occasions.

Spodumene is identified as a pyroxene mineral composed of lithium aluminum inosilicate and is harnessed industrially as a lithium source. This mineral exhibits various hues including lilac, purple, and yellow in kunzite, as well as emerald green in Hiddenite, typically found in large prismatic crystals. In Dakota, exceptional crystal sizes reaching up to 14.3 meters have been discovered in the Black Hills.

The Discovery and Occurrence of Spodumene

Spodumene was first identified in Uto Sodermanland, Sweden. The Brazilian naturalist, Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, is credited with this discovery. This mineral is typically located in lithium-rich granite pegmatite and aplite, associating with minerals such as lepidolite, beryl, eucryptite, albite, petalite, and quartz. The prominent varieties of Spodumene, noted for their high transparency, have long been esteemed in the jewelry-making domain, primarily kunzite and Hiddenite. Spodumene can be found in Brazil, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, and North Carolina.

The Economic Importance of Spodumene Gemstones

Spodumene serves a critical role in lithium extraction, essential for producing ceramics, batteries for vehicles and smartphones, as well as functioning as a flux in medicine. The extraction of lithium entails fusing Spodumene with acid, with an estimated global production of 80,000 metric tons annually. Primarily, the lithium extracted originates from the Greenbushes pegmatite in Western Australia, alongside deposits from china and Chile. The Talison mine in GreenBushes alone boasts over 13 million tons of this mineral.

Many claim Spodumene's importance could decline due to the availability of lithium chloride from alkaline brine solutions found in lakes across Argentina, China, and Chile. However, experts may underestimate Spodumene's significance, as moving minerals from mines to production sites is generally more efficient than transporting brine. The extraction processes from Spodumene yield significantly purer lithium compared to brine solutions, with required purity levels for candidate lithium carbonate at 99.5 percent.

The Gemstone Varieties of Spodumene

While Spodumene mainly serves industrial purposes for lithium extraction, several varieties are prized for their gem-quality attributes.

Hiddenite

Hiddenite is known for its light emerald green hue and was first discovered in Alexander County, North Carolina. Its green color arises from chromium presence, akin to that of emeralds. However, not all green Spodumene contains chromium, resulting in lighter shades unsuitable for the Hiddenite classification.

Kunzite

Kunzite displays colors ranging from pink to lilac, attributed to trace amounts of manganese. Some kunzite stones undergo heat treatment to enhance color, while irradiation is often employed to restore hues lost to sunlight exposure. Discovered during an expedition led by renowned mineralogist George Frederick Kunz, kunzite is found in a variety of locations including the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Afghanistan.

A Closer Look at Hiddenite

Hiddenite's rarity stems from its limited geographical occurrences, primarily sourced from North Carolina. Initially defined by its chromium-rich emerald green, its significance surpasses other localities where lower chromium levels yield lighter, less valuable specimens.

A Closer Look at Kunzite Gems

As the more prominent gem form of Spodumene, kunzite has a beauty that appeals significantly to women. Often treated for color enhancement, kunzite exhibits varying degrees of pink and purple hues. Predominantly sourced from California, kunzite showcases its captivating qualities when fashioned into larger jewelry pieces, while smaller cuts prove challenging due to the mineral's perfect cleavage.

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For more information on Spodumene gemstones, explore our section dedicated to these unique minerals.