Feature Gems & Gemology, Winter 1981, Vol. 17, No. 4

The Cutting Properties of Kunzite


In the process of cutting kunzite, a lapidary comes face-to-face with problem properties that sometimes remain hidden from the jeweler. By way of examining these problems, we present the example of a one-kilo kunzite crystal being cut. The cutting problems shown give ample warning to the jeweler to take care in working with kunzite and demonstrate the necessity of cautioning customers to avoid shocking the stone when they wear it in jewelry.