Kyanite

You may be familiar with Kyanite in its most common state. A flaky blue crystal that exhibits shiny Mica bits that on occasion will include a Garnet or Sapphire crystal. Did you know that Kyanite can also forms a beautiful, lustrous gemstone that in ancient days was often mistaken for Sapphire?

Kyanite is a Aluminum Silicate. There are three different crystals that share the exact Aluminum to Quartz formula; Kyanite, Andalusite and Sillimanite. Pressure and heat will determine which of the three crystals will form during the metamorphic process that creates them. If the temperature is high, Sillimanite will form, low pressure results in Andalusite and Kyanite will form under the most extreme pressures.

The crystal is available in these metamorphosed Aluminum rich stones and throughout veins of Quartz that run through them. Garnet, Sapphire, Staurolite, Biotite and Muscovite are found in the same regions and often attached to Kyanite. Kyanite has also been found in Kimberlite pipes. The same kind of pipes that Diamonds are mined from.

In blue specimens, traces of Aluminum are replaced by Iron and Titanium. Crystals found in Kimberlite have traces of Chromium.

Kyanite crystals have a variety of unique features. The crystal itself has a dual hardness. Cut along the axis of the crystal, it is extremely soft, however when you turn it at a 45 degree angle from that axis, the crystal is almost as hard as a Diamond (7.5 on the mohs scale). Kyanite gemstones also have a perfect cleavage, meaning it breaks cleanly and easily. These attributes make the stone quite a challenge for faceting and cutting.

Crystals containing Iron can exhibit magnetic properties. If hung by a hair (not sure if it has to be a "hair", but the references that mentioned this quality, used a hair in their example), the Iron-rich Kyanite crystal will follow the Earth's magnetic field.

When the rare Kyanite crystal does form it has an unusual habit. Along two of the crystals faces, striated lines will run horizontally, along the other two faces the striations will be vertical. Crystals can also be lightly pleochroic, meaning it changes colors by shifting the angle light is reflected off the crystal.

Blue is the most common color for Kyanite, and the one the gem is most noted for. It can occur in a wide range of blues to green, plus white, gray, black, brown and a rare pink.

Some of the most beautiful Kyanite gemstones in the world come from Switzerland, it is also one of the earliest locations for mining this crystal. Kenya, France, Italy, U.S., India, Myanmar and in the alluvial sands of Brazilian rivers are a few other regions where the stone is mined.

Over the years, Kyanite came to be known by a variety of names. Two names come from Greek words. Kyanite comes from the word kyanos which is blue in Greek. A more scientific name, Disthene come from a couple of Greek words, di - means two and stenos which means hard. Disthene refers to the two different strengths of this crystal. Sappare became attached to Kyanite after a French mineralogist (Saussure) misread its label, thinking it was a Sapphire. Even after the mistake was recognized, the nickname stuck. A less known name Rhaeticite is sometimes given to white specimens of Kyanite.

Its ability to withstand high pressures and heat has made Kyanite useful in some industrial applications. It is used in spark plugs plus a variety of ceramics utilized in extreme temperature applications.

History seems to have overlooked this unusual, energetic blue crystal. Perhaps its very early confusion with Sapphires and Spinel caused this oversight. Today, however Kyanite is an important tool among the healer's crystals.

The blade like structure of this crystal will allow you to use it to slice through blockages in both a patient's aura and Chara system. It opens and aligns all the Chakra, making it a versatile tool. More importantly to the healer, Kyanite does not absorb the harmful energies removed during the healing process.

Kyanite is a powerful ally for enhancing your psychic skills. It works on both the Throat and Third Eye Chakra, helping to both open your "sight" and clear the way for communication with your guides and Angels. Allowing you to more accurately interpret what you are sensing or "seeing".

Have your dreams been speaking to you? If you are working to understand messages coming through your dreams, keep a Kyanite under your pillow. It will help you to remember your dreams then assist you in cutting through to the deeper meaning and understanding.

If you have a hectic lifestyle, Kyanite can provide a calming meditation at the end of your day. Leaving both your psychic and physical bodies feeling refreshed. While the crystal is helping you relax, it is also working to clear your Chakra, allowing your body and mind to perform better.

Is your body recovering from a recent shock or trauma? Keep a Kyanite with you during the healing process. The crystal helps with your recuperation by revitalizing your energy. Kyanite's affect on the Throat Chakra may help relieve breathing blockages caused by sinus problems or seasonal allergies.

Kyanite is a very useful gemstone, but be careful not to develop a dependance on it. If you use it in your work, don't carry it as a companion stone. When you are needing its company, set the crystal aside every couple of days. You'll find that your body has been teaching itself the crystal's healing pattern and will often behave as if your Kyanite is still with you.