Kyanite
Kyanite forms bladed crystals. It is generally blue, but can also be green or gray. It has a glassy luster. Kyanite has a unique physical feature in that it has two different hardnesses. When its hardness is measured across the crystal, it is 7; when it is measured down the length of the crystal, it is 5. All other minerals have a single hardness no matter where it is measured on the crystal.
Kyanite is the variant spelling of the original name of this mineral, Cyanite. The name was derived from the Greek word kyanos meaning blue in reference to this mineral’s most common color. The name was given by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1789.
Sillmanite was named in honor of Professor Benjamin Silliman (1779-1864) who was the first professor of mineralogy at Yale University (as well as professor of chemistry for a time). The name was given by G.T. Bowen in 1824. Andalusite was named after Andalusia, a province in southern Spain, where this mineral is found. The name was given by Jean Claude Delametherie in 1798.
There are substantial deposits of Kyanite in the United States. The most important deposits are in Idaho and the Appalachian Mountain region in Eastern United States. Gneisses in Southern California also have significant Kyanite resources. Presently, however, it is not economical to mine these deposits. Should economic conditions change, these deposits may be worth mining. South Africa supplies most of the Andalusite imported for industrial consumption in the United States. France and India also produce Andalusite and Kyanite, respectively. The most recent finds of Kyanite have come from Brazil
Kyanite and its related minerals are used to make a variety of refractory materials. Refractory materials are those that are resistant to very high temperatures. As a result, more than half of the Kyanite consumed is used in refractories for the production of steel. Kyanite is also used to produce refractories for nonferrous (non-iron-bearing) metals. Some is consumed to make refractories for glass and heat-resistant ceramics. Kyanite is also used to make spark plugs and is used for non-refractory applications.
Item# 7KYAN09209993
Kyanite Blades in Quartz matrix from Brazil

A very nice specimen of natural sapphire blue Kyanite Blades just as they are mined. Platy crystals of rich blue kyanite formed in a matrix of clear quartz. The brilliant blue color varies in intensity throughout. This specimen was procured from a Brazilian Minerals dealer at the 2020 Franklin, NC Show. It is from the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
This specimen weighs 18.9 oz or 1.18 lbs (537g) and measures 5.8 x 3.8 x 2.6" (14.7 x 9.6 x 6.7cm)
We were able to find a few small specimens of the elusive and highly desired mineral Blue Kyanite from the Balsam Gap area in North Carolina. These specimens are the result of over 4 years of searching in this rare locale. These few specimens are all that we expect to ever offer, listed on 12/06/2020
The shipping weight of these is 0.25 lb each...1 or all 4 together will ship for the same price
Item# TN4BKY12200001
1.5g Blue Kyanite from Balsam Gap
$12.00
Item# TN5BKY12200001
3g Blue Kyanite from Balsam Gap
$22.00

Item# TN6BKY12200001
4 piece 2g Blue Kyanite Group from Balsam Gap
$24.00
Item# TN7BKY12200001
7g Blue Kyanite from Balsam Gap
$30.00

Item# 9KYAN09176180
Kyanite Blades in matrix from Brazil

A very nice specimen of natural sapphire blue Kyanite Blades just as they are mined. Platy crystals of rich blue kyanite formed in a matrix of yellow-white quartz. The brilliant blue color varies in intensity throughout. This specimen was procured from a Brazilian Minerals dealer at the July 2017 Franklin, NC Show. It is from the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
This specimen weighs 6.7 oz or 0.42 lbs (192g) and measures 4.7 x 1.9 x 1.1" (12 x 4.9 x 2.7cm)
Item# 10KYAN09175421
Kyanite Blades in matrix from Brazil

A very nice specimen of natural sapphire blue Kyanite Blades just as they are mined. Platy crystals of rich blue kyanite formed in a matrix of white quartz. The brilliant blue color varies in intensity throughout. This specimen was procured from a Brazilian Minerals dealer at the July 2017 Franklin, NC Show. It is from the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
This specimen weighs 10.3 oz or 0.64 lbs (293g) and measures 4.5 x 2.3 x 1.9" (11.5 x 5.9 x 4.3cm)
Item# 22KYAN09200542
Kyanite Blades in matrix from Graves Mountain Georgia

A very nice specimen of natural sapphire blue Kyanite Blades just as they are mined. Platy crystals of rich blue kyanite formed in a matrix of yellow-white quartz. The brilliant blue color varies in intensity throughout. This specimen was procured from a Georgia Minerals dealer at the July 2017 Franklin, NC Show. It is from Graves Mountain, Georgia
This specimen weighs 8.7 oz or 0.54 lbs (247g) and measures 2.9 x 2.2 x 1.9" (7.5 x 5.6 x 5cm)