Physical Properties of Kyanite
Kyanite is a well-known and beautiful silicate mineral that mainly occurs in shades of blue. It is found in masses, but more commonly as long bladed crystals, or somewhat fibrous looking blades or shards. Blue is the main color by far (most valuable are the dark blue ones that can fall into gemstone grade category), but kyanite can also be found in the colors of black, white, green, pink, and yellow.
The Mohs hardness ranges from around 5-7 depending on where you measure it. If vertical, it is 4.5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, while being 6-7 if measured horizontally. Despite being a bit brittle, it’s beautiful blue color still makes it an attractive candidate for small jewelry pieces (and there are chatoyant specimens as well).
Principle mining areas of kyanite include the United States, Canada, Poland, Uk, and Norway. Beautiful specimens of kyanite have been found in Switzerland and the Himalayas region. Most kyanite crystals in the market are not gemstone quality, being opaque and/or contain dirty looking inclusions, but all the same, kyanite is a great crystal healing stone as we will see below. And being much cheaper than sapphire (but occasionally looking like it), what is there not to like about kyanite?
Metaphysical Properties of Kyanite
Kyanite is said to be one of the few stones that never needs cleansing of any sort (the other is citrine). The reason is because kyanite is believed to be able to never retain any negative energy and it has the ability to align all the chakras automatically as well. These properties make kyanite a very convenient stone to have around, as one never needs to bother cleansing it!
It’s a stone that balances and clears the chakras if consciously directed, but as mentioned, if kept around, kyanite will attune and align the chakras without any conscious effort on one’s part. Some crystal healers recommend holding a kyanite wand over each chakra and turning it in a circle to clear off any energy blockages. Kyanite helps to balance up yin-yang energies and promotes orderly growth of the mental, emotional, and physical bodies.
Being a high vibration stone, kyanite is great for meditation and activities that involve the Third Eye. It increases psychic ability, and helps with decision making, as well as facilitating better connection between one’s inner world and outer world – the inner mind and outer mind. In addition to the properties described here, the other colored varieties of kyanite will have their own attributes in relation to their respective colors.
It’s a calming stone in every respect. For dream recall, one can try placing a flat piece of blue kyanite under the pillow before sleep; it is believed that kyanite helps with dream recall and problem solving via the dream state.
Kyanite Healing Properties
Kyanite is a bit similar to selenite, in that it works very well in conjunction with other stones, especially if used in a crystal healing layout on the chakras; enhancing the healing effects of the other crystals. It can be used in the treatment of disorders of the throat area (like sore throats), and the adrenal and parathyroid glands. For making elixirs, remember that kyanite must not be directly soaked in water as it may leak out aluminum, but rather use the indirect method (placing it in a separate jar).