Kyanite Data

Kyanite is an aluminum silicate mineral that is typically formed under high pressure during the metamorphism of clay-rich (pelitic or argillaceous) rocks. Kyanite is also found in kimberlites, which are unusual intrusive rocks that contain diamonds.

Pronunciation: KIE•an•ite (accent on capitalized syllable)

Color: blue, sometimes white or gray

Luster: vitreous

Diaphaneity: translucent; may appear to be opaque in hand specimen

Hardness: 5 parallel to the length of the crystals and 7 perpendicular to the long direction.

Specific gravity: 3.6

Cleavage/fracture: 1 direction

Other distinguishing properties: Kyanite occurs in distinctive blue elongate tabular or bladed crystals in certain metamorphic rocks.


Specimen Pictures


References

Klein, C., and Hurlbut, C.S., Jr., 1999, Manual of Mineralogy (after James D. Dana) [21st edition, revised]: New York, John Wiley & Sons, 682 p.

Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, The Photo Atlas of Minerals: nhm.org/pam/ This web document was created in 2002 by Vince Cronin


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The original content of these web pages is © 2002 by Vince Cronin. It may be used for non-profit educational and research purposes only.