Kyanite is a mineral characteristic of metamorphic rocks with a high content of alumina. Also, but much less frequently, it can be present both in igneous rocks and in hydrothermal formations. It has anisotropy of hardness: its hardness is 4.5 along the crystal, and 6.5 across it. As a rule, kyanite crystals are opaque, but sometimes they can have a "cat's eye" effect.
You can see kyanite stone for sale and buy it in the Minerals of Russia online store.
General | |
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Category | Nesosilicate |
Formula (repeating unit) |
Al2SiO5 |
IMA symbol | Ky |
Strunz classification | 9.AF.15 |
Crystal system | Triclinic |
Crystal class | Pinacoidal (1) (same H-M symbol) |
Space group | P1 |
Unit cell | a = 7.1262(12) Å b = 7.852(10) Å c = 5.5724(10) Å α = 89.99(2)°, β = 101.11(2)° γ = 106.03(1)°; Z = 4 |
Identification | |
Color | Blue, white, rarely green, light gray to gray, rarely yellow, pink, orange, and black, can be zoned |
Crystal habit | Columnar; fibrous; bladed |
Twinning | Lamellar on {100} |
Cleavage | [100] perfect [010] imperfect with 79° angle between |
Fracture | Splintery |
Tenacity | Brittle |
Mohs scale hardness | 4.5-5 parallel to one axis 6.5-7 perpendicular to that axis |
Luster | Vitreous to white |
Streak | White |
Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
Specific gravity | 3.53 - 3.65 measured; 3.67 calculated |
Optical properties | Biaxial (-) |
Refractive index | nα = 1.712 - 1.718 nβ = 1.720 - 1.725 nγ = 1.727 - 1.734 |
Pleochroism | Trichroic, colorless to pale blue to blue |
2V angle | 78°-83° |