Kyanite: Significance, origins and benefits

Kyanite, with its blue hues and delicate texture, has fascinated people for centuries with its beauty and unique properties. This elegant natural gemstone not onlyadds a touch of sophistication to your DIY jewelry creations, it is also highly valued in lithotherapy for its soothing and protective virtues.
Use our Kyanite jewelry components to create beautiful costume jewelry. Get inspired by our natural stone jewelry tutorials.

The origin of kyanite

The name of this natural stone comes from the Greek "Kyanos", meaning blue. This word also gave rise to the word "cyan". It was the German mineralogist Abraham Gottlob who gave it this name in reference to its blue color.
Shortly afterwards, his counterpart, the French mineralogist René Juste Haüy, gave it the name "Disthène". This name, mainly used in France, comes from the Greek "di" meaning "two" and "destenos" meaning "strength".
This gemstone is also known as"Cyanite".

History of Kyanite

Legend has it that this gemstone was used to make the Archangel Michael's sword.

This blue stone has been known since Antiquity, and was said to have many mystical properties. It was often considered a stone of communication.
Known for its particular electrical properties, Greek sailors believed that if they attached it to a wire, it could act as a compass, guiding their navigation.
In India, it was used as a talisman to protect against negative energies.

In the 19th century, kyanite was used in industry for its refractory properties. When ground into powder and mixed with clay, it was used to make porcelain and heat-resistant ceramics.

What color is kyanite?

Its color ranges from cyan to indigo to violet. The blue can vary according to the amount of iron present in the stone. Transparent to translucent, small inclusions can be seen. Its luster is vitreous.
Because of its similar color, it is sometimes confused with sapphire, tanzanite or blue spinel.

It can also be green, black, gray or colorless, with shades of gray or black.

What are cyanite's properties?

It is a polymorphic stone, meaning that its hardness varies: between 6.5 and 7 on the Mohs scale perpendicular to the axis of the crystals and around 4 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale parallel to it. It is brittle and sensitive to impact.
Its density ranges from 3.56 to 3.67 g/cm³.

Where to find kyanite?

The main deposits of this gemstone are in Switzerland, Brazil, the United States, Russia, Kenya, France, Tanzania, India and Nepal.

What are Cyanite's virtues?

Considered a calming stone, it helps to restore serenity and calm, while reducing stress, anxiety and nervousness. It is said to helpachieve a state of deep relaxation, and could therefore be beneficial for meditation.
Certain beliefs also attribute to it the power to protect against negative energies.
It is also said to improve concentration, mental clarity and the ability to express oneself clearly.

Kyanite is said to be very effective on the throat chakra and the Third Eye chakra. Linked to the throat chakra, it promotes communication and self-acceptance. With the Third Eye chakra, it regulates emotions.

This stone is associated with the zodiac signs Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

Please note: our gemstones are not sold for lithotherapy. The effects of stones have not been scientifically proven. Natural stones are no substitute for medical expertise or treatment.

How do I purify and recharge Kyanite?

To reap the full benefits of kyanite, lithotherapists recommend regular purification and recharging.

Purification is simple. Simply place the kyanite in incenseor white sage smoke for a few minutes.
To recharge, expose the kyanite to the light of the full moon overnight. To amplify this step, you can place it on a quartz cluster or inside an amethyst geode.

How to use Kyanite

The silver-tone metal perfectly enhances the blue hues of the gemstones. Make DIY jewelry in 925 Silver or Stainless Steel to give your creations a modern, refined touch.
Gold-colored metal, such as Gold Filled (rolled gold) or gold-plated, will give it a classic elegance.

Which stone to use with cyanite? Lithotherapists recommend combining it with stones that complement and enhance its properties:

• With rock crystal: this combination is said to help clarify the mind, enhancing communication and self-expression.
• With sodalite: this combination intensifies communication and self-expression, while bringing great inner peace.
• With labradorite: this alliance would enable deeper spiritual transformation.
• With lapis lazuli: this combination enables the expression of inner truth with wisdom and clarity.
• With blueapatite: together, they boost creativity and motivation to achieve personal and professional goals.
• Withamethyst, to achieve a deeper, more balanced state of meditation.

Hematite,obsidian, black tourmaline, red jasper andonyx, on the other hand, are considered incompatible gemstones due to their opposing or conflicting energies.