Kyanite

Kyanite
General
Category	Mineral
Chemical formula	Al2SiO5 (aluminum silicate)
Identification
	{{{molweight}}}
Color	Blue; also green, white, grey, black
Crystal habit	Columnar; fibrous
Crystal system	Triclinic
Cleavage	[100] Perfect, [010] Imperfect
Fracture	Brittle
Mohs Scale hardness	4.5-5 parallel to one axis 6.5-7 perpendicular to that axis
Luster	Vitreous; Pearly
Refractive index	1.71 - 1.75
Pleochroism	Trichroic, colorless to pale blue to blue
Streak	White
Specific gravity	3.56 - 3.67
	{{{density}}}
Solubility	None
Diaphaneity	Transparent to translucent

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.^{[citation needed]} Kyanite has also been used as a gemstone, though this use is limited by its anisotropism and perfect cleavage. 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:

• andalusite, Al₂SiO₅
• sillimanite, Al₂SiO₅
• quartz, SiO₂
• staurolite, Fe₂Al₉Si₄O₂₂(OH)₂
• micas, AB_2-3(X, Si)₄O₁₀(O,F,OH)₂
• garnets, A₃B₂(SiO₄)₃

Alternative names

Kyanite has several alternative names, including disthene, munkrudite, and cyanite. White-gray kyanite is also called rhaeticite.

Notes for identification

In Buckingham County, Virginia kyanite from the mine at Mt. Willis is transported by train on the Buckingham Branch Railroad.

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.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• WebMineral Listing
• MinDat Listing
• Mineral Galleries

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

• Kyanite  ^history

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

• History of "Kyanite"

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.