10.42 Ct. Kunzite from Afghanistan

This oval shape pink kunzite presents a clear and precise gemological profile, suitable for detailed evaluation and consideration in fine jewelry. The stone weighs 10.42 carats, and measures 14.13 by 10.94 by 8.81 millimeters, offering substantial presence while maintaining classical proportions. The cutting style is a mixed brilliant cut, which unites a selection of step facets on the pavilion with brilliant facets on the crown, producing an engaging return of light and a well balanced face up appearance. Clarity is graded as very very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, and the stone is transparent, with inclusions that do not detract from the gem's visual appeal. Color intensity is medium, yielding a consistent and attractive pink tone across the table and crown, and the polish is assessed as excellent, contributing to crisp facet junctions and a high degree of surface luster. The gem has been heat treated to enhance its color, and the documented origin is Afghanistan, a source recognized for producing kunzite material with refined tone and good crystalline quality. The combination of weight, dimensions, and cut results in a stone that reads as substantial in the hand, while remaining versatile for a variety of setting styles.

In practical terms this kunzite displays optical and physical characteristics that inform both design choices and care recommendations. The medium intensity pink is best appreciated in settings that allow light to pass through the stone, such as open gallery rings or pendants where the mixed brilliant cutting can maximize scintillation and color distribution. Kunzite typically measures approximately six and a half to seven on the Mohs scale of hardness, and it is noted for distinct cleavage, so protective settings that reduce the risk of edge knocks are advisable when the stone is used in everyday wear pieces. Heat treatment is a common and accepted enhancement for kunzite, applied here to refine and stabilize the rose hue. Even with treatment, kunzite can be sensitive to extended exposure to intense light, and some pieces benefit from prudent care, including avoiding prolonged direct sunlight during storage and moderating exposure to high heat and chemical cleaners. Cleaning by gentle soap and water, with soft brushes and careful handling, will preserve polish and minimize risk to facet edges. For design planning, consider bezel or partial bezel settings, protective prongs with softened edges, or halo designs that provide both visual emphasis and structural support.

The pink of this kunzite invites a quiet, romantic narrative that is rooted in its Afghan provenance and its clear, gently included clarity. Imagine the color as the early morning sky over a remote valley in Afghanistan, when thin clouds catch the first light and the landscape takes on a tender rose veil, a moment that seems to promise a day of steady truth rather than fleeting passion. The clarity, described as very very slightly included, mirrors a relationship where transparency and small, calm memories coexist, where imperfections are neither hidden nor glaring, but acknowledged as evidence of a life lived. At The Natural Gemstone Company we present this gem not merely as a material specification, but as an object that can carry intention and story, suitable for an engagement piece that favors sincerity, or for a milestone gift that emphasizes enduring grace. Paired with soft white gold or warm rose gold, set to sit close to the skin, this kunzite will read as both an intimate and refined choice, offering a balance of presence and delicate color that reflects the considered attributes recorded in its gemological notes.