Spodumene contains two well-known gem varieties: kunzite and hiddenite. Each one has an individual page devoted entirely to that variety. In the gem trade, the term spodumene refers to all colors of this mineral excluding the pink variety kunzite and the green variety hiddenite. Those two varieties have special colors that give them notable interest in the gem market. All other transparent forms of spodumene lack the appeal of those two varieties, and are rarely used as gems because of the difficulty involved in cutting them.

Only green spodumene from Alexander County, North Carolina is gemologically accepted as true hiddenite. Green spodumene from other localities is not gemologically accepted as true hiddenite, for it lacks the unique green color of true hiddenite, being only very light green or greenish-yellow. Recently, gem dealers have been using the name hiddenite for all green transparent green spodumenes, even those not found in Alexander County, North Carolina.

The perfect cleavage and splintery fracture of spodumene makes it very difficult to cut. It is very sensitive to knocks and will chip if hit too hard. Spodumene is known for its strong pleochroism, showing lighter and more intense coloring when viewed at different angles. For this reason it is always cut to show the deepest color through the top of the gem.

USES
In exception to the varieties kunzite and hiddenite, spodumene does not have much use as a gem. The yellow, brown, orange-brown, and yellow-green forms are only seldom cut as gems for jewelry. These forms, as well as colorless spodumene, are, however popular collector gemstones.

VARIETIES
Kunzite - pink to light purple variety
Hiddenite - green variety
Triphane - Colorless to light yellow variety. May also be used as a synonym of spodumene.

SIMILAR GEMSTONES
Because the other forms of spodumene are so infrequently used as gems, this section is not really applicable. However, we will mention the similar gemstones anyway.
Yellow spodumene resembles heliodor, chrysoberyl, topaz, zircon, and tourmaline. Brown spodumene resembles smoky quartz, brown zircon, and brown topaz. Orange-brown spodumene resembles beryl ("bixbite"), zircon, topaz, and hessonite garnet.

ALSO SEE

• The mineral Spodumene
• The gemstone Kunzite
• The gemstone Hiddenite

PICTURES

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