SPODUMENE, variety Kunzite
LiAlSi₂O₆
Pala Chief mine, Pala, San Diego County, California

The Pala Chief mine is famous for some of the finest known crystals of kunzite, the lavendar to pink gem variety of spodumene. This gemstone was first discovered in the Pala area in the early 1900s. This crystal was once owned by Dr. George F. Kunz, for whom the gemstone was named.

Size: 24 cm tall

Acquired: 1987 exchange with the Harvard Mineralogical Museum.

Disposition: On display in the California Minerals exhibit.

Catalog Number: 25334