kunzite roughkunzite rough

Tips for Polishing Kunzite


Polishing kunzite can be very challenging, especially for novice gemstone faceters. Learn what tools and techniques work best.

2 Minute Read

HomeLearning CenterJewelry and LapidaryTips for Polishing Kunzite
Sometimes, I've cut kunzites with no problems. Other times, I've had nothing but problems. All kunzite rough is different, and it's hard to tell how a piece will cut until you try it.

Keep some aspirin close at hand. You'll probably need it.

Polishing Kunzite isn't for Beginners

kunzite rough
Kunzite rough

Step #1: Go to nearest wall and bang your head against it. Repeat as needed during cutting process. Important: Set the kunzite down before you bang your head. It's shock sensitive and you may damage it. (The kunzite, that is).

I would tell most new faceters to move on to something easier instead of kunzite, the pink to purple variety of spodumene.

Kunzite Presents Challenges for Jewelry Use

Unless you're looking for a challenge (and a sore forehead), kunzite may not be worth cutting. Kunzite's color is UV light sensitive. With exposure over time, it will fade to colorless. It also has perfect cleavage, so it won't wear well in jewelry. Only use it as a pendant stone or set it in a protective setting. If it's worn much, expect to replace it sooner or later.

Due to color fading and poor wearability, kunzite has no real commercial appeal except for some collectors. Don't plan on making money cutting it.

Polishing Kunzite Advice

So you still want that sore forehead? Here's how I cut kunzite.

Sawing

If you have to saw, use a high-quality thin blade and a saw with as little vibration as possible. Leave plenty of room from where you saw to where you want to cut the stone out of.

Fractures are very common after sawing. Therefore, wait a day or so before you start cutting for the fractures to appear. Then, cut them off with a fine lap.

Dopping

You should cold dop kunzite. This is one of the few materials that I recommend it for.

Have a bottle of glue solvent handy, so you can unstick yourself from the things you touched while using glue. (For extreme cases, have a friend close by who can help you get unstuck after they finish laughing at you).

Orientation and Polishing

Orient your kunzite for the best color and cleavage plane(s). The C axis usually has the best color. It needs to be perpendicular to the table, but not quite (like topaz). This material has perfect cleavage, so you need to work it on a very fine lap. Use nothing more aggressive than a well-worn 600 or finer.

Any shock will cause cleavage separations and problems in general. Be gentle and patient. With a little luck, you'll finish a kunzite. Polish it with an Ultra lap (Spectra or alumina), tin/lead lap with tin oxide, or a wax lap.

I know some gem cutters from Afghanistan who frequently work with kunzite. They tell me they use tin laps with 14,000-grit diamonds for a final polish. Their finished stones that I've seen looked quite well-polished.


Jeff R. Graham

The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as Gram Faceting Designs.

Related Articles

More Articles
Spodumene Value, Price, and Jewelry InformationCC-BY-SA-3.0], <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/polishing-kunzite-spodumene/"http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ASpodumene_bicolore_-_63_mm_(Afghanistan).JPG">via Wikimedia Commons</a>" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Spodumene Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Extraordinarily difficult to cut, spodumene has several colorful varieties, such as hiddenite and kunzite, highly coveted for jewelry.
Read More
What is Gemstone Cleavage?

What is Gemstone Cleavage?

Gemstone cleavage is a break in a crystal along internal planes. Learn the science behind this and the difference between...
Read More
Kunzite Buying Guidediamonds for contrast and sparkle. Designed and crafted by Eddie Sakamoto. Photo by Josh Lynch. Photo courtesy of Shelly Sergent, <a class="external" href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/polishing-kunzite-spodumene/"https://somewhereintherainbow.com/" rel="nofollow">Somewhere in the Rainbow Collection</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Kunzite Buying Guide

Rare and fragile, kunzite challenges lapidaries and delights jewelry aficionados. Our kunzite buying guide can help you add this gem...
Read More
Buying Gemstones in Afghanistan: A Beginner’s Guide

Buying Gemstones in Afghanistan: A Beginner’s Guide

Considering buying gems in Afghanistan? Learn which Afghan gemstones to seek out, which to avoid, and prepare for a “buyer...
Read More

Latest Articles

More Articles
Classic Engagement Ring StonesPastel purple sapphire</a>, 1.08 cts, 5.8 mm, round cut, Sri Lanka. © <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/polishing-kunzite-spodumene/"https://www.thegemtrader.com/">The Gem Trader</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Classic Engagement Ring Stones

Emerald, ruby, sapphire, and diamond are the most popular choices for classic engagement ring stones. Learn more about these traditional...
Read More
Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Is fei cui a better term for "pyroxene jade" than jadeite? Jeffery Bergman reviews Broken Bangle, a new book on...
Read More
Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry InformationJoel E. Arem</a>, PhD, FGA. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

One of the rarest of all facetable gems, cut cuprites can show magnificent deep red color. However, these beautiful stones...
Read More
Gemstone Radiation TreatmentPhoto courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/polishing-kunzite-spodumene/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/polishing-kunzite-spodumene/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/1081/eros-auctions-inc/">Eros Auctions, Inc</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Gemstone Radiation Treatment

Gemstone radiation is a common but little understood technique for altering colors. Learn how it works and what gems usually...
Read More

Never Stop Learning

When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.

Become a Member

Get Gemology Insights

Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!