Kyanite is named after the Greek word for "blue". Its color indeed can make it a lovely gem with a near sapphire-like blue. Usually its color is blue but also can be colorless, white, gray, green or yellow. Color is most often not consistent throughout the crystal, often showing white streaks in a medium blue. Luster is vitreous to almost pearly. Its variable hardness is a significant characteristic that has to be taken in consideration by the gem-cutter. It is one of only two gemstones where the same crystal can have two distinct hardnesses, called anisotropic. Hardness is 4- 4.5 when cut parallel to the long axis of the crystal and 6-7 when cut perpendicular to or across the long axis. It is a very nice gemstone for earrings or pendants, but does not do well in rings. .
Deposits of Kyanite are found in Austria, Brazil, India, Kenya, Myanmar, Serbia, Switzerland, United States and Zimbabwe. There are two well known outcrops of Kyanite-bearing pegmatite along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, one of which lies within the National Forest boundary. The location is often erroneously refered to as the Balsam Gap Kyanite fields or the Parkway Kyanite location. The site has to some extent been reclaimed by the National Park Service..
Kyanite is a member of the aluminosilicate series, which also includes the polymorph Andalusite and the polymorph Sillimanite. Kyanite's anisotropism can be considered an major identifying characteristic.
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Currently there are no known treatments for enhancing this gemstone. Kyanite is primarily a collector's mineral, but is used in jewelry and once in a while, especially out of Brazil, there are finds that can be faceted..
The following is a Necklace and Earring Set combining Kyanite Barrels and Round Beads, with Mother of Pearl Beads and Silver highlights.
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