KYANITE

Kyanite is an aluminosilicate mineral, with the chemical formula Al2SiO5. It is typically blue, green, or black in color, and is most often found included within aluminum-rich metamorphic pegmatites and sedimentary rock. It is strongly anisotropic, meaning it has a different mineral hardness depending on its crystallographic angle, with its hardness ranging between 5 to 7. Kyanite is commonly found in long and slender crystals that develop within the Triclinic crystal structure. Elongated, bladed crystals of kyanite are very common, but rare occurrences of individual euhedral crystals have long been prized by collectors and enthusiasts. Notable kyanite occurrences have been discovered in New York City, USA, within what is called Manhattan schist. Manhattan schist began its formation roughly 500 million years ago, as a result of continental impact collisions that took place during the assembly of the supercontinent, Pangea. During this time, ancient shale was transformed into metamorphic rock by the immense heat and pressure of the collision. Manhattan schist can be found at various depths around The Big Apple, ranging from 18 feet below the surface of Times Square, to 260 feet below the surface of Greenwich Village. It serves as an important provision of structural stability and support for the numerous large-scale buildings and skyscrapers that tower above it. In certain places across New York City, such as Central Park and Morningside Heights, Manhattan schist can be easily seen protruding from the Earth; a testament to the immense and powerful structure of the metamorphic rock that lies just beneath the surface. Kyanite is not only found within Manhattan schist, but is also commonly found within pegmatites of the Appalachian Mountains, as well as within the Brazilian mining region, called Minas Gerais. Additionally, beautiful gem-grade specimens have been found at Sponda Alp, in Pizzo Forno, Switzerland. A few other notable localities for kyanite extraction are Nepal, Kenya, Myanmar, Austria, and Zimbabwe. Aside from facet worthy specimens being cut, polished, and sold as a gemstone, kyanite is considered a literal powerhouse of an industrial resource, where it is most commonly used as a raw material for mullite, which is used in refractory porcelains and spark plugs. It is also commonly used in electronics, electrical insulators, and abrasives. The name Kyanite comes from the same name origin as the color cyan, with it being derived from the translated Ancient Greek word rkyanos, or kuanos, which means "dark blue."

KYANITE METAPHYSICS

Metaphysically, kyanite is considered a powerful crystal of communication, intuition, and dream recall. A crystal of the Throat and Third Eye Chakra’s, kyanite is said to enhance its user’s ability to speak wisdom and truth, while allowing for important ancestral guidance to flow freely from dimension to dimension. Additionally, kyanite is said to be an excellent crystal for the nurturing of spiritual maturation, as well as carrying profound healing and comforting energies for those who are transitioning through death. Physically, kyanite is said to aid the body with muscular fatigue and disorder. It is also said to aid the body with afflictions of the thyroid and parathyroid, as well as the adrenal glands.