Spodumene var: Kunzite (GEM crystal)

Item Description

This is a fantastic GEM "floater" crystal of Kunzite from the Pala District in San Diego County, California. Kunzite is not a species, bur rather a varietal name for pink/purple colored Spodumene crystals, which were first discovered in San Diego County. This small cabinet sized piece is a fine, WATER-CLEAR lustrous, eye-catching, soft pinkish colored crystal with beautiful form. Like all Spodumenes the crystal is pleochroic, showing a slightly stronger hue when viewed down the "c" axis. Classic, graceful surface etching can be seen in various place, which is seen in virtually every crystal from the area. Weight is 63.9 grams.
Valued $1,500.
From the collection of Bill Larson of Fallbrook, California. Bill is a well-known gem and mineral dealer as well as a miner and collector. Bill is synonymous with minerals of San Diego County, and owned and operated famous mines such as the Stewart Lithia, the Tourmaline Queen, the Pala Chief and the Himalaya, producing some of the most iconic mineral specimens to come out of the area during the 1970s-1980s. Bill is also known as "Burma Bill" and traveled the world for decades in search of fine gems and minerals, and was directly involved in the in-person acquisition and importation of superb specimens and stones from Myanmar (Burma). You can read his biography at https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/larsonwilliam-f/