Spodumene Var. Kunzite

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Kunzite has come out of the pegmatites in Afghanistan's rather chaotic Nuristan tribal belt for the last few decades in varying quantities and quanlities. Many of us have now seen "too many" examples of this once rare gem crystal species. However, I always stay on the lookout for truly different pieces, for specimens with shocking color and form - and this is one I have been eyeballing for years to get! This was recently exchanged out to me from the collection of Dr. Ed David (President Nixon's White House science advisor among his other roles). It is a complete floater with stunning, citylike formations to the etch patterns, and a deep lilac-hot -pink color saturation. Note please, these photos are consciously NOT overdone or color-enhanced - it really is this color when light shines down or up through the long axis. And even in a normal case, it gets enough lighting to show the hot tones, whereas most kunzite needs a closer or more aligned light source. Joe Budd photos