Kyanite is named for the Greek word for blue, kyanos. And what a blue! Fine Nepali kyanite can resemble the finest sapphire. Kyanite was a gem far better known to mineral collectors until more recent finds in the Kali Gandaki river region of west central Nepal, the first source to produce a significant amount of facet grade kyanite. Prior to the Nepal discoveries, Brazil was a major source of mineral specimen material, but kyanite also occurs in a variety of locations around the world. More recent kyanite discoveries have yielded additional colors, including orange and green.
| Common Name | Kyanite |
| Species | Kyanite |
| Transparency | Transparent - Translucent |
| Dispersion | Strength: Moderate Fire Value: 0.020 |
| Refractive Index |
1.716-1.731 Tolerance:(+0.004/-0.004) |
| Birefringence | 0.012-0.017 |
| Optic Character | Biaxial |
| Optic Sign | Positive |
| Polariscope Reaction | Doubly Refractive (DR) |
| Fluorescence |
SWUV: Weak red LWUV: Weak red |
| Pleochroism | Trichroic, moderate to strong colorless, dark blue, and violet-blue |
| Hardness | 5.5-7 |
| Streak | White |
| Specific Gravity | 3.560-3.690 Range:0.01/-0.12 Typical:3.680 |
| Toughness | Poor |
| Inclusions | Kyanite displays color zoning often in bands and may appear fibrous. Stones may contain natural inclusions. |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Cleavage | Perfect, in one direction, Good, in two directions |
| Chemical Name | aluminum silicate |
| Chemical Formula | Al2SiO5 |
| Crystal System | Triclinic |
| Chemistry Classification | Silicate |
Blue 
Orange 
Green 
Color due to manganese. The spectrum has a distinctive narrow absorption band at 555nm. The color is due to manganese in which case a thinner and more transparent specimen may reveal some lines in the blue - violet. The intensive absorption here in that area did not permit sufficient transmission to detect these
Jewelry Television acknowledges the significant scientific contributions of John S Harris, FGA to the study of gemstone spectra and with deep appreciation to him, acknowledges the use of his images and related notes about gemstones and their spectra in the educational materials on this website.
Cyanite Or Disthene
Tanzania, United Republic Of; Pakistan; United States of America (the); Unknown; China; Namibia; Brazil; South Africa; Madagascar; Australia; Nepal; India
The kyanite name comes from the Greek word, kyanos, which means "blue". The bright, cornflower-like color transforms an ordinary piece of jewelry into a statement-making display. Although the earliest kyanite on the market was primarily blue, discoveries of green and orange have expanded choices in this gemstone. Kyanite has a hardness from 4 ½ - 7 on the Mohs scale because of its cleavage. For the lapidary (stone cutter), this poses a real challenge. The cleavage and hardness vary depending on the direction in which it is cut. Despite the challenges in cutting, kyanite is highly desirable. It's all about the color -and wow! What color kyanite delivers!
Be mindful of cleaning and storing this lovely stone. Avoid ultra-sonic cleaners. A dip in warm, sudsy water and a soft brush will keep your kyanite looking its best. Carefully store kyanite when you aren't wearing it.
It's believed by some people that kyanite calms the mind and spirit and brings tranquility. For an intensely blue stone, that certainly makes sense, since blue is thought to be a calming color. It's also believed that kyanite doesn't hold negativity. Instead, it aligns all chakras, is said to provide balance, and stimulates self-expression. Many find it to be a fine meditation stone. The folkloric attributes of kyanite are not supported by science. We can't affirm anything about the mind and spirit, but we think you'll enjoy your kyanite for its tranquil, blue color.
Showcasing 200 gemstones in over 1,000 pages and accompanied by more than 2,000 photos, The Sisk Gemology Reference is a must-have in every collector’s library. Each comprehensive, three-volume set features state-of-the-art photography, detailed illustrations, and scientifically precise descriptions to create an entrancing experience for gemstone amateurs and afficionados alike.
This page was created on June 27, 2014.
This page was last edited on October 24, 2019.
