Brittle, crystalline mineral of the pyroxene group, varying in color from transparent white to yellow, gray, green, and purple. It is a lithium aluminum silicate, hardness 6.5 to 7 and a specific gravity 3.13 to 3.2. It occurs massive in large crystals, usually as a constituent in granatic pegmatites.

Spodumene is an important lithium ore and is also used in the production of ceramics, enamel and glass. Two transparent and highly colored varieties of spodumene are used as gemstones. These are hiddenite, a yellow to emerald green stone and kunzite, which occurs as a pink-lilac crystal.

Hiddenite

Hiddenite is the green gem variety of Spodumene. Green hiddenite, to date, is only found in the one locality where it was originally discovered. Although additional localities containing transparent, green spodumene were found, none match the exceptional, unique green of the hiddenite from Alexander County, North Carolina. Recently, gem dealers have been using the name hiddenite for all green transparent green spodumenes, even those not found in Alexander County, North Carolina.

Magic & Myth

Hiddenite is a wonderful choice when you are looking for clarity in your life. It is the mental/spiritual partner to Kunzite creating a bridge from thought to spirit. Hiddenite allows us to look at ourselves on a deeper level, it does this by bringing us the clarity which we can so often ignore. It also allows us to focus on the issues and situations at hand, giving us ideas to solve our problems. Being Hiddenite is a pale green, it can be used for healing on all levels, not only for ourselves, but for the people we care for.

Kunzite

Kunzite is the pink to light purple gem variety of the mineral Spodumene. Kunzite is a very attractive pink gem, but is notorious for its habit of color fading in strong light. Some deep pink stones have turned nearly colorless from fading. Although the color-fading effect is not this drastic in most kunzite, it is still important not to expose kunzite gems to strong light (especially sunlight) for long periods. Kunzite is sometimes called "evening stone" for this reason. The color of some kunzite can be restored or intensified by irradiation.

Magic & Myth

Kunzite is believed to have a very high spiritual love vibration. It is said to be the heart opener - it awakens the highest heart consciousness. It is believed to connect one to their own infinite source of love. It also aligns the head and the heart and symbolizes a pure expression of joy in thoughts and feelings. It is believed to be a good stone to be worn by children to help them adjust to earth plane environments and energy.