Description and Occurrence Spodumene forms as flattened, prism -shaped crystals that can be very large, up to 16 meters long and weighing several tons. Common forms of spodumene are an important source of lithium. Hiddenite and kunzite are used as gemstones even though spodumene cracks easily. The Museum has a fine example of kunzite on display in the Josephine L. Scripps Hall of Mineralogy.
Spodumene is found only in granite pegmatites .
It can be found in Scotland, Sweden, Brazil, Burma, and parts of North America. Fine, gem-quality kunzite has been found in the pegmatite mining districts of San Diego County. It's brittle and has a splintery fracture.