Geology / History
Kyanite’s name derives from the Greek word kuanos. Typically a blue silicate mineral, commonly found in aluminium-rich metamorphic pegmatites & sedimentary rock. Kyanite in metamorphic rocks generally indicates pressures higher than four kilobars. Although potentially stable at lower pressure & low temperature. The activity of water is usually high enough under such conditions that it is replaced by hydrous aluminosilicates such as muscovite, pyrophyllite, or kaolinite. Kyanite is also known as disthene, rhaeticite & cyanite.
Kyanite is a member of the aluminosilicate series, which also includes the polymorph’s andalusite & sillimanite. Kyanite is strongly anisotropic, in that its hardness varies depending on its crystallographic direction. In kyanite this anisotropism can be considered an identifying characteristic.
At temperatures above 1100 °C kyanite decomposes into mullite & vitreous silica via the following reaction: 3(Al2O3·SiO2) → 3Al2O3·2SiO2 + SiO2. This transformation results in an expansion.
Metaphysical Properties
Blue Kyanite: Cleans & aligns all chakras. Does not hold negative energy & never needs cleaning. Is a powerful transmitter of high frequency energies. With an extremely light & fast vibration. Stimulates psychic abilities, intuition & unlocks the third eye.
Facilitates the ascension process by drawing the light body down into the physical realms. Encourages you to speak your truth, cutting through fears & blockages. Restores Qi to the physical body & its organs. Excellent for attunement & meditation.
Black Kyanite: Grounds & aligns all energy centres during & after meditation. Good for clearing all negative thoughts & feelings. This stone shows karma currently being created by present choices. An excellent mental healer helps to manifest & create your own reality. Releases you by severing karmic ties. Fantastic for gridding & a strong protector.
Green Kyanite: Helps you to feel the balance between yourself & nature. It connects your truth from your heart & the truth in any situation. Can enhance your dreams & lucid dreaming. Promotes love & happiness.
Crystal Healing
Treats muscular disorders, fevers, thyroid, adrenals, a natural pain reliever, lowers blood pressure, & releases excess weight. Balances yin-yang energy.
Mineralogy
Group: Nesosilicate
Crystal System: Triclinic
Composition: Al2SiO5
Form/Habit: Columnar, fibrous, bladed
Hardness: 4-7
Cleavage: Perfect - imperfect
Fracture: Splintery
Lustre: Vitreous to pearly
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 3.53 - 3.67
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
R.I: 1.712 - 1.734
Colour: Blue, white, rarely green, grey, yellow, pink, orange, and black, can be zoned
Pleochroism: Trichroic, colourless to pale blue to blue