Kyanite Collection
Kyanite, typically a blue aluminosilicate mineral, is found in aluminium-rich metamorphic pegmatites and sedimentary rocks. It is a high-pressure polymorph of andalusite and sillimanite. The occurrence of kyanite in metamorphic rocks usually signifies deep metamorphism within the Earth's crust. Also known as distend or cyanite, kyanite's name is derived from the Ancient Greek word κύανος, meaning "dark blue," which is the same origin as the colour cyan.
This mineral is distinctly anisotropic, meaning its hardness varies with its crystallographic direction. This anisotropism, along with its blue colour, is a key identifying feature of kyanite.
Kyanite serves as a raw material in the production of ceramics and abrasives and is a crucial index mineral that geologists use to identify metamorphic zones.
