Spodumene is a fairly prevalent mineral, but mostly dull and uninteresting in its most common forms. However, its two distinctly colored transparent varieties, Kunzite (pink) and Hiddenite (green) are very aesthetic and valued as gemstones. Hiddenite is much rarer than Kunzite, and can is highly valued, especially the deeper green color forms. Strictly speaking, Hiddenite comes from only one locality in the world - Hiddenite, North Carolina. However, as newer deposits of green Spodumene have been discovered in Afghanistan and Brazil, this term has been applied to all forms of transparent green Spodumene worldwide.

Kunzite is known for its lovely pink color that is very distinct. However, its color may slightly fade upon prolonged exposure to sunlight. Heat treatment is sometimes applied to Spodumene, by transforming transparent brownish and greenish-brown stones into light green or pink colors. Lightly colored pink stones are also heat treated to intensify their pink color.

Spodumene is strongly pleochroic. The pleochroism is easily observed in many transparent crystals, where the color ranges from yellow to violet when viewed at different angles. Pink Kunzite will often exhibit a deeper pink color on crystal terminations due to the pleochroism.

Spodumene can grow into enormous crystals. The largest single crystal found is a well-crystallized, 42 foot (12.8 meter) giant. Even the transparent gem forms can come in huge gemmy water clear crystals so large that need to be held with both hands. Spodumene is rarely seen on a matrix as it easily pops out of the host rocks. Because of their rarity, matrix specimens are highly sought after.

Spodumene easily alters to other minerals (most often to feldspars and micas), and into clay. Sometimes, a crystal may be only partially altered, creating fascinating and intriguing specimens.

For additional information, see the gemstone section on Spodumene, Kunzite, and Hiddenite.