Stone Mania

Kyanite is shiny and translucent and known for its colour zones and variation in hardness.  Most minerals have one hardness but kyanite along with a few others have two.  When its hardness is tested lengthwise the result is graded as 4 to 5, but when tested across the width of the same piece of stone, it is 6 to 7.

Kyanite must be handled with care as it is easily damaged.  Being so brittle also makes it an extremely challenging gemstone to cut.  Pieces can often have a 'sratchy' appearance as well as having other surface marks.  The colour of good quality kyanite can rival that of a sapphire.

There are two gemstones which never need cleaning, one is citrine and the other kyanite.  Furthermore, kyanite will not accumulate or retain negative energy.

With regards to crystal healing, kyanite brings tranquility and a calming effect to the whole being and also stimulates communication and psychic awareness on all levels.  It has the ability to align all chakras automatically and immediately and helps one to persevere in activities and situations which would generally reduce ones strength.

Kyanite facilitates meditation and helps induce recall of dreams and to promote dream solving whilst in the dream state.  It helps to balance the yin-yang energies and dispels energy blockages.

Kyanite can be found in the United States, Brazil, Switzerland, Russia, Serbia, India and Kenya.  Fine gem quality stones have also been mined in Nepal, though exact volumes are unknown.

The following link offers further reading on kyanite

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyanite