Kunzite

Kunzite is a rare gemmy variety of the mineral spodumene.  Spodumene is a lithium mineral found in pegmatites and it can grow quite large.  There are white spodumene crystals that look like petrified logs.  Kunzite is found primarily in Afghanistan and Brazil, with some also found in nearby Pakistan.  Kunzite is typically pink or lilac colored and translucent.  The color comes from traces of manganese in the mineral.  Kunzite has two perfect cleavage planes, forming rectangles.  This can make kunzite difficult to cut because the cleavage planes are fragile.  It may help to put a temporary backing on the stone or to stabilize it.

This is A-grade, cabbing kunzite.  It has some color variations within the slabs that give the stone pattern and texture.