Kunzite and South Sea Pearl Necklace

This 396.30-carat kunzite gem from Afghanistan adorns the necklace that Paloma Picasso designed in 1986 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Tiffany & Co. Kunzite gemstones are typically shades of violet and pink, caused by trace impurities of manganese. This variety of spodumene was first found in Pala, California, in 1902, and was later named after American gemologist George F. Kunz. The cushion cut kunzite is set in an 18k yellow gold and diamond ribbon motif pendant. The necklace also contains 30 South Sea baroque pearls.

Gift of Tiffany & Co., 1989

Image Credit: Chip Clark, Smithsonian Institution