Species: Kyanite
Color: Blue to colorless, blue-green, brown
Chemical composition: Al2SiO5 aluminum silicate
Crystal system: Triclinic, long, flat prisms
Hardness: Along axes 4 - 4.5, across 6-7 (Mohs scale)
Specific gravity: 3.53 - 3.70
Refractive index: 1.710 - 1.734
Birefringence: -0.015
Color of streak: White,
Absorption spectrum: 706, 689, 671, 652, 446, 433
Fluorescence: Weak: red
Treatments: None known
Color: Blue to colorless, blue-green, brown
Chemical composition: Al2SiO5 aluminum silicate
Crystal system: Triclinic, long, flat prisms
Hardness: Along axes 4 - 4.5, across 6-7 (Mohs scale)
Specific gravity: 3.53 - 3.70
Refractive index: 1.710 - 1.734
Birefringence: -0.015
Color of streak: White,
Absorption spectrum: 706, 689, 671, 652, 446, 433
Fluorescence: Weak: red
Treatments: None known
Location: Deposits are found in Austria, Brazil,
India, Kenya, Myanmar, Serbia, Switzerland, United States and Zimbabwe.
Kyanite is named after the Greek word
for "blue". Its color indeed can make it
a lovely gem with a near sapphire-like blue. Usually its color is blue
but also can be colorless, white, gray, green or yellow. Color is often
not consistent throughout the crystal, often showing white streaks in a
medium blue. Luster is vitreous to almost pearly. Its variable hardness
is a significant characteristic that has to be taken in consideration
by the gem-cutter. Hardness is 4- 4.5 (Mohs scale) when scratched
parallel to the long axis of the crystal and 6-7 when cut perpendicular to
or across the long axis. It's a nice gemstone for earrings or pendants.
Kyanite forms bladed crystals. It is generally blue, but can also be green or gray. It has a glassy luster. Kyanite has a unique physical feature in that it has two different hardnesses. When its hardness is measured across the crystal, it is 7; when it is measured down the length of the crystal, it is 5. All other minerals have a single hardness no matter where it is measured on the crystal. Kyanite is the variant spelling of the original name of this mineral, cyanite. The name was derived from the Greek word kyanos meaning blue in reference to this mineral’s most common color. The name was given by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1789. There are substantial deposits of kyanite in the United States. The most important deposits are in Idaho and the Appalachian Mountain region in Eastern United States. Gneisses in Southern California also have significant kyanite resources. Presently, however, it is not economical to mine these deposits. Should economic conditions change, these deposits may be worth mining.
Kyanite forms bladed crystals. It is generally blue, but can also be green or gray. It has a glassy luster. Kyanite has a unique physical feature in that it has two different hardnesses. When its hardness is measured across the crystal, it is 7; when it is measured down the length of the crystal, it is 5. All other minerals have a single hardness no matter where it is measured on the crystal. Kyanite is the variant spelling of the original name of this mineral, cyanite. The name was derived from the Greek word kyanos meaning blue in reference to this mineral’s most common color. The name was given by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1789. There are substantial deposits of kyanite in the United States. The most important deposits are in Idaho and the Appalachian Mountain region in Eastern United States. Gneisses in Southern California also have significant kyanite resources. Presently, however, it is not economical to mine these deposits. Should economic conditions change, these deposits may be worth mining.
The Kyanite zodiac, myth & legend
In ancient times it was believed that a kyanite
suspended from a human hair could follow the Earth's magnetic force
like a compass needle. In those times travelers took kyanite along with
them, when they entered unknown territories.
Kyanite is believed to aid self-expression, communication and
supernatural abilities.