Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          wellerr@cochise.edu
                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
kyanite

Chemical Group:    silicate

Chemical Formula:    Al2SiO5

Color:  patchy blue, white, gray, green                 Streak:  white

Luster:  vitreous to pearly

 

Hardness: 4 to 5 in one direction, 6 to 7 in another direction

Specific Gravity:  3.63                  Fracture:

Cleavage:  2 directions, one perfect and the other good


Crystal Forms and Habits:  Triclinic system

Mineral Associations: a metamorphic mineral, commonly formed in schists

Identifying Characteristics: distinct blue color

Uses: in the production of refractory materials
     If very colorful and transparent it may be faceted as a gemstone

Occurrences:  Virginia, South Carolina, Brazil 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed- low         when inhaled- high

Additional Information: