This webpage was created for a class at Emporia State University called Mineralogy. My name is Ruth Heitmann and I have an interest in the mineral kyanite. It is a very beautiful mineral which is used as a gemstone and is said to have metaphysical properties. This page has information on the general physical properties, the metaphysical properties, and the use as a gemstone of kyanite.
Kyanite is usually found in a light blue color but can also be found in other colors such as white, colorless, gray, green, and nearly black. It has a transparent to translucent look which is generally vitreous and has a bladed habit. It belongs to the chemical class of nesosilicates and its streak is clear or white. Kyanite is an aluminum silicate and it belongs to the triclinic crystal system. A unique characteristic of kyanite is its two different hardnesses. Most minerals just have one hardness but kyanite and a few other minerals actually have two. Hardness for minerals is determined by the resistance to scratching that a mineral demonstrates. The two hardnesses in kyanite depend on the direction of the cleavage planes in the internal structure (1). A person could test the hardness lengthwise on a piece of kyanite and get a hardness of 4 and then test the hardness crosswise and get a hardness of 6. The lengthwise hardness ranges from 4 to 5 and crosswise the hardness ranges from 6 to 7 on Moh's hardness scale. Kyanite has perfect cleavage lengthwise and good cleavage in a second direction. The specific gravity ranges from 3.5 to 3.7 and the fracture is splintery. The best field marks to identify kyanite are the different hardnesses in two directions and the bladed habit both of which were mentioned above (1).
Minerals similar in appearance to kyanite include tremolite and wollastonite. These two minerals differ from kyanite in that they do not have two distinct directions of hardness or cleavage. Also, kyanite is seldom found in white and gray colors, which are the common colors for tremolite and wollastonite. Kyanite is produced from regional metamorphism and is associated with quartz, biotite, and almandine occurring in the rocks such as gneiss and schist (1).
The information found on the metaphysical properties of kyanite is interesting. Some say kyanite enhances creativity, broadens perspectives, and helps achieve mutual understanding. It is a stone of attunement (2). It brings calmness and tranquility and can assist with meditation. In terms of physical ailments, it clears up sinus congestion and enhances the treatment of muscular disorders (3). Kyanite is one of only a few stones that never need clensing or clearing. It assists in communication and mental awareness. It also helps in dream recall (2).
The corresponding astrological signs for kyanite are Taurus, Libra, and Aries. According to the chakra guide, which uses stones for clearing, revitalizing, and healing different sections of the body, kyanite aligns all chakras automatically and immediately. In this system it can also open the chakras. Blue kyanite is used specifically on the throat and third-eye chakras (4).
Kyanite has such an usual hardness that it does not have much flexibility in terms of how it is used as a gemstone. Usually it is polished smooth and then set. It sometimes does have facets cut into it though. There are webpages that sell kyanite in the rough as well as polished kyanite for the use as a gemstone. The above picture is from a webpage that sells kyanite jewelry.
2. Maria. Pisces Trading. "Kyanite" 18 October 2001. www.bestcrystals.com/html/kyanite/kyanite.html.
3. Gem and Mineral Miners, Inc. "Kyanite: Mineral Information Page". 18 October 2001. mineralminers.com.
4. Pisces Trading. "Chakra Guide" 18 October 2001. www.bestcrystals.com/html/chakra_guide/chakra%7E1.htm.
5. HTML Colors. "HTML Colors" 8 May 2002. www.w3schools.com/html/html_colors.asp, from W3Schools.com.
6. Piedmont Province Geology of Virginia. Kyanite image WWW URL: http://www.wm.edu/geology/virginia/kyanite.html. Retrieved 10/01.
7. Kyanite Gems Gallery. Kyanite image WWW URL: http://www.kyanitegems.com/layout-gallery.htm., from Kyanite Gems. Retrieved 10/01.
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Created on 28 October, 2001. Last updated on 13 May, 2002.
Image taken from Piedmont province "The Geology of Virginia".
Physical Properties
Image taken from mineralminers.com.
Metaphysical Properties
This link works best in Internet Explorer.Use as a Gemstone
References and Links
1. Chesterman, Charles W. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals "Kyanite". Chanticleer Press, Inc. 1979. p. 579.