Sapphire Blue Kyanite Jewelry

Kyanite has been one of my favorite gems to design with ever since I first sourced some high quality facets and cabochons back in the early 2000's. It's sapphire-blue saturated color tones are complemented by the green fire of Moldavite, the shimmering adularescence of Moonstone and the raw crystal textures of Quartz and Tourmaline. 

 Kyanite’s name is derived from the Greek word ‘kyanos’, which means ‘deep blue’. Kyanos is also the origin of the color ‘cyan’. The highest quality Kyanite rough generally comes from Nepal but significant deposits have also been found in many locations around the world including Brazil, Burma, India, Myanmar and the United States.

 Kyanite is still relatively rare in the gem world and considered to be somewhat exotic. Kyanite is very difficult to cut because of its variable hardness and cleavage, and requires an experienced lapidary worker to achieve the best results. The most popular kyanite gemstones have a vibrant sapphire-blue color with few to no inclusions. “Green Kyanite” is also sought after, but is a bit of a misnomer as it is actually more of a cyan-indigo color.

Kyanite has several alternative names, including Disthene, Munkrudite and Cyanite. White-grey Kyanite is also called Rhaeticite.

Tips for How to Identify Kyanite

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.

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.

Arkadian Collection offers a wide selection of artisan Kyanite Jewelry and Kyanite Gemstones. Each piece is one of a kind, individually photographed and the exact item you will receive. Learn more about other gemstones in our Gemstone Directory.