Everything about Kyanite totally explained
Kyanite, whose name derives from the Greek word
kyanos, meaning blue, is a typically blue
silicate mineral, commonly found in
aluminium-rich metamorphic
pegmatites and/or
sedimentary rock. Kyanite is a diagnostic mineral of the
Blueschist Facies of
metamorphic rocks.
Kyanite is a member of the aluminosilicate series, which includes the
polymorph andalusite and the polymorph
sillimanite. Kyanite is strongly
anisotropic, in that its
hardness varies depending on its crystallographic direction. While this is a feature of almost all minerals, in kyanite this anisotropism can be considered an identifying characteristic.
Uses of kyanite
Kyanite is used primarily in refractory and ceramic products, including porcelain plumbing fixtures and dinnerware. It is also used in electrical insulators and abrasives. An interesting property of kyanite is that it undergoes an irreversible expansion when fired at high temperature. Kyanite has also been used as a gemstone, though this use is limited by its anisotropism and perfect cleavage. Kyanite is one of the index minerals that are used to estimate the temperature, depth, and pressure at which a rock undergoes metamorphism. Finally, as with most minerals, kyanite is a collector's mineral.
Associated minerals
Kyanite is usually found in association with its polymorphs, as well as other silicate minerals. These include:
Alternative names
Kyanite has several alternative names, including disthene, munkrudite and cyanite. White-grey kyanite is also called rhaeticite.
Notes for identification
Kyanite's elongated, columnar crystals are usually a good first indication of the mineral, as well as its color (when the specimen is blue). Associated minerals are useful as well, especially the presence of the polymorphs or staurolite, which occur frequently with kyanite. However, the most useful characteristic in identifying kyanite is its anisotropism. If one suspects a specimen to be kyanite, verifying that it has two distinctly different hardnesses on perpendicular axes is a key to identification.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Kyanite'.
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