Kyanite is a mineral found mainly in
metamorphic rocks. It most often forms from the high-pressure alteration of clay minerals during the metamorphism of
sedimentary rocks. It is found in the
schists and
gneises of regionally metamorphosed areas and less often in
quartziteor eclogite.Kyanite's typical
habit is a bladed crystal, although it sometimes occurs as radiating masses of crystals. Kyanite is often associated with other metamorphic minerals such as
garnet,
staurolite, and
corundum
Kyanite's Unusual Hardness
Kyanite specimens have a variable hardness. The long crystals have a
Mohs Hardness of about 4.5 to 5 if tested parallel to the length of a crystal, and a hardness of 6.5 to 7 if tested across the short dimension of a crystal. The mineral was once commonly called "disthene" which means "two strengths." Blue Kyanite is an aluminum silicate mineral that crystallizes in the forms of elongated bladed structures, as well as fibrous and mass formations. The color can range from a very light baby blue, to a dark indigo which resembles a soft black. Blue Kyanite was first discovered in 1789 by A.G. Werner and was named after the Greek word “kuanos”, meaning “blue”. Blue Kyanite can be found all throughout the world, with important commercial deposits located in Brazil, Burma, Mexico, South Africa, Namibia, and Kenya.Blue Kyanite is often found alongside
quartz which only makes this stone more powerful! Quartz is a natural enhancer and will amplify any effect that Blue Kyanite emits.
