9.25 Ct. Kunzite from Afghanistan

This item is a transparent 9.25 carat cushion shape pink kunzite, precisely measured at 13.17 by 9.28 by 8.76 millimeters, presented in a mixed brilliant cut that balances table brightness with pavilion return. Clarity has been evaluated at eye level as very very slightly included, meaning inclusions are minimal and do not materially interrupt the visual appeal or the passage of light through the stone. Color is described as faint in intensity, registering as a delicate pale pink with subtle lilac undertones, and the surface exhibits an excellent polish that enhances both lustre and face up presentation. This gem has been heat treated, a standard and stable enhancement applied to improve hue uniformity and reduce any residual brownish or gray modifiers, and provenance is Afghanistan, a source known for producing transparent and finely crystalline kunzite specimens. The mixed brilliant facet arrangement promotes scintillation without overpowering the gem with contrast, making it suitable for designs that value both color subtlety and optical performance.

When considered against kunzite and other pink gemstones from prominent localities, this Afghan example occupies a distinctive position in hue and tone. Compared to classic Brazilian kunzite from Minas Gerais, which frequently delivers stronger saturation and a warmer pink violet presence, this stone is lighter in tone and cooler in hue, showing a more restrained and pastel character. Against material originating in Madagascar, which can sometimes read warmer and slightly peachy under daylight, the Afghan stone maintains a clearer, cooler pink with a hint of lilac. Relative to pink sapphire from Sri Lanka, or Ceylon, the differences are marked. Pink sapphires typically present higher tone and greater saturation, with a crystalline intensity that reads as more vivid and less pastel, and they also tend to exhibit a different refractive behavior and hardness. Comparisons with morganite from Brazil or Mozambique also clarify the identity of this kunzite, as morganite generally leans toward peach or salmon pink with a warmer, more orangey bias, while this Afghan kunzite retains cooler, violet inflections. Spinel from historic localities in Myanmar or Sri Lanka will usually show purer, more saturated pink without the lilac nuance and with a higher overall tone. It is also useful to note that kunzite commonly demonstrates pleochroism, and this specimen can display a shift from cooler lilac to a slightly warmer pink depending on orientation, a behavior that differs from the more single tone appearance of many sapphires and spinels.

From a practical and conservation perspective, the combination of faint color intensity, excellent polish, and very very slightly included clarity produces a gem that reads as elegant and understated, well suited to settings that preserve the stone and allow light interaction without exposing it to impact. The mixed brilliant cushion shape has been cut to retain weight while maximizing face up spread and scintillation, and the heat treatment applied is a stable, industry accepted enhancement that optimizes visual balance. Because kunzite possesses perfect cleavage and a relative susceptibility to sudden temperature changes, we recommend bezel or protective halo mounting for daily wear, and avoidance of aggressive ultrasonic cleaning or steam treatments. The Natural Gemstone Company documents the origin and enhancement status for this piece, and can provide additional imagery, facet maps, and bespoke setting recommendations to accommodate design and durability requirements. For clients who value a cool, refined pink with subtle lilac nuance and a clean eye level appearance, this 9.25 carat Afghan kunzite presents a measured and verifiable option that distinguishes itself from more saturated Brazilian kunzite, warmer Madagascar material, and the higher tone pinks of sapphires and spinels.