A gorgeous blue mineral which occurs in long bladed crystals. It is sometimes polished as a decorative piece, but it is not used for jewellery often, as it is relatively brittle.
A gorgeous blue crystalline mineral composed of aluminium silicate. It usually occurs in long ‘bladed’ crystals, which are usually sold in a matrix. It may also occur as an indistinct radiating mass of crystals.
It is relatively soft along the length of the crystal – due to this, it is not often used in jewellery, as the forming process can damage the stone easily – as can wearing it. It can be a challenge even for a skilled lapidarist.
This is unusual in minerals – across the width or the shortest part of the crystal, it measures 6.5 to 7 on the mohs scale, but along the length, it measures 4.5 to 5 on the scale.
The word itself comes from the Greek word ‘kyanos’, meaning blue or dark blue.
It is very heat resistant, and is used widely in industry for heat resistant products, including refractory products and fire bricks for kilns, furnaces, etc. It is also used in dentures, sinks, and some high end abrasive grinding wheels.
It is considered to be a self healing stone, giving the holder the ability to understand their health problems better. It is a calming stone, bringing peace to the holder, and it never retains negative energy.
It is thought to be especially effective when used with the throat Chakra.
Specimen containing rough crystal blades in a Quartz matrix. Found in Brazil in the Minas Gerais mine.
Specimen containing a single high grade crystal in a Paragonite matrix. Found in Switzerland.
Cut and Faceted high grade stones.