WholesaleKyanite

Long, bladed crystals in blue, black and green, plus ruby kyanite. Blades by the bag, clusters by grade and size.

Ways to shop

Shop kyanite by form

Stone notes

Kyanite: the crystal with two hardnesses

Scratch it one way and a steel knife marks it. Turn it sideways and the same knife slides off.

Kyanite is an aluminium silicate that grows as long, flat blades. Its name comes from the Greek kyanos, dark blue, and blue is the colour most people know. The colour is often patchy, deeper in streaks down the middle of a blade and paler at the edges.

It is famous among mineralogists for one odd property. Along the length of a blade it is only about 4.5 to 5 on the Mohs scale, so a steel point will scratch it. Across the blade it is 6.5 to 7, as hard as quartz. Very few minerals change hardness this much with direction, and old texts called it disthene, meaning two strengths.

Kyanite forms deep in the crust, where rock is squeezed under high pressure. Geologists use it as a pressure gauge for the rocks it sits in. Industry uses it too. Heated, it turns into mullite, a tough material for kiln parts and spark plug insulators.

For a shop, the blades are the hook. They catch the light like brushed metal, they are light to ship by the bag, and the clusters look dramatic on a shelf. The catch is that kyanite splits easily along the blade, so it needs gentle handling and good packing.

Along the blade a knife scratches it. Across the blade it is as hard as quartz.

About the stone

What is kyanite?

Kyanite is an aluminium silicate that grows as long, flat blades, usually blue but also black, green and grey. Its hardness changes with direction, about 4.5 to 5 along a blade and 6.5 to 7 across it, and it splits easily along its length, so it needs careful handling.

What we stock

Blue kyanite clusters in A and B grades by size, numbered one-of-a-kind clusters, blue rough blades by the bag, loose blades by the box, black kyanite blades and mini chips, green and blue-green tumbled kyanite, and ruby kyanite worry stones, chips, tumbled stones and spheres.

Reading our titles

The letter in a title (A or B) is the quality grade of that lot. Numbers (#6 to #11) are size bands. "Unique #" or "U#" marks a one-of-a-kind piece with its own photos and size.

Mineral: Kyanite, an aluminium silicate
Hardness: Changes with direction: about 4.5 to 5 along the blade, 6.5 to 7 across it
Colour: Usually blue, often patchy; also black, green, grey and orange
Habit: Long, flat, bladed crystals, often in fans and sprays; splits easily along the length
Main sources: Brazil, India, Nepal, Kenya, the United States and other high-pressure rock belts

Varieties

Kinds of kyanite we stock

Kyanite in the colours and forms we carry now. Stock changes, so tap through to see what is in.

Photos are real pieces from our stock. Tap a variety to see what is in stock now.

In crystal traditions

What kyanite is traditionally used for

In crystal traditions blue kyanite is linked with communication and alignment, and it is often said that kyanite never needs cleansing. Black kyanite blades are traditionally used as grounding stones and in protection work.

CommunicationAlignmentCalmBalanceChakra: Throat (blue); Root (black)Zodiac: Taurus, Libra

Traditional associations, shared as folklore. They are not health or medical claims.

Side by side

Blue, black or ruby kyanite?

Three kyanites customers ask about, and how they differ.

	Blue kyanite	Black kyanite	Ruby kyanite
What it is	Kyanite crystals	Kyanite coloured dark by other minerals inside	Ruby (red corundum) crystals in a kyanite rock
Look	Blue blades with a pearly shine, often streaky	Dark grey to black blades, often in fans	Pink to red spots in blue-grey stone
Hardness	4.5 to 7 (by direction)	4.5 to 7 (by direction)	Ruby 9, kyanite 4.5 to 7
Forms we carry	Clusters, blades, tumbled	Blades, mini chips	Worry stones, tumbled, chips, spheres
Handle with care?	Yes, blades split	Yes, blades split and shed	Polished pieces are sturdy

Real, treated or fake?

Blue kyanite is rarely faked. Its blades, pearly shine and streaky colour are hard to copy.
Very even, bright blue on beads or polished pieces can mean dye. Look for colour pooled in cracks. Our titles say "(Enhanced)" when a piece is treated.
Ruby kyanite is a natural rock with two minerals in it. Glass or resin copies feel warm, light and have the same colour all the way through.
Stones sold as blue kyanite are sometimes other blue minerals. Real kyanite splits into thin flat slivers along its length; most look-alikes break unevenly.

Care and cleaning

Handle blades by their sides, not their ends. Kyanite splits easily along its length and loose slivers are sharp.
Dust with a soft, dry brush. Water does not harm kyanite, but it can work into the splits of a cluster.
Pack clusters on their own with padding, base down. Blades break if pieces rub together in transit.
Ruby kyanite worry stones and spheres are polished and sturdy. Wipe them with a damp cloth.

How shops sell kyanite

Blue kyanite rough blades sell well by the bag. Spill a few into an open bowl at the counter so people can see the shine.
Ruby kyanite worry stones are a steady seller. Sell them singly from the pack beside the till as a small gift.
Build a cluster ladder. A and B grade clusters by size number on one shelf, numbered one-of-a-kind clusters in a case above.
Pair blue kyanite with other blue stones (lapis, sodalite, apatite) in a throat chakra or communication display.
Black kyanite fans sell to customers who already know the stone. Keep them near tarot and witchcraft supplies.
Add our Blue Kyanite meaning cards (10-packs) beside the bowl so every stone leaves with a card.

Apply for wholesale pricing

On the shelf

How to display kyanite

Kyanite sells on its silky shine and its fragile, feathery shape.

Light across the bladesA light from the side makes the blades flash like brushed metal. Under flat overhead light blue kyanite looks dull grey.
Out of reach of busy handsPut clusters on a back shelf or in a case. Leave a tray of loose blades at the front for touching.
Dark or white backdropBlue kyanite stands out on white or pale wood. Black kyanite needs a light surface so the fans show.
Size ladderLine up clusters from #6 to #11 so the price step is clear, and keep the numbered pieces apart.

Questions

Kyanite FAQ

Why does kyanite have two hardnesses?

Its atoms are packed more tightly in one direction than the other. Along the length of a blade it is about 4.5 to 5 on the Mohs scale; across the blade it is 6.5 to 7.

Is kyanite fragile?

Yes. It splits easily along the length of the blades, and loose blades can shed thin slivers. Handle clusters by the base and pack each one on its own.

What is black kyanite?

Kyanite coloured dark grey to black by other minerals inside it. It often grows as fans of blades and is sold as blades and chips.

What is ruby kyanite?

A natural rock of ruby (red corundum) crystals set in kyanite. The ruby is much harder than the kyanite around it, so polished pieces show raised pink spots.

Can kyanite go in water?

A quick rinse does not harm it, but water can seep into the splits of a cluster. Dusting with a soft dry brush is better.

What do the A, B and numbers mean on kyanite clusters?

The letter is the quality grade of that lot and the number is a size band (#6 is about 3 1/2 to 7 inches). U# marks a one-of-a-kind cluster with its own photos and size.

Can I buy kyanite without a minimum order?

Yes. There is no minimum order. Approved wholesale customers see their wholesale price on every product once signed in.

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