kyanite - Nepalkyanite - Nepal

Kyanite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information


Kyanite’s physical properties make it very difficult to facet. However, it’s a popular collector’s gem, especially in sapphire-blue colors.

2 Minute Read

HomeGemstonesKyanite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Kyanite’s physical properties make it very difficult to facet. However, it’s a popular collector’s gem, especially in sapphire-blue colors.

kyanite - Nepal
Oval mixed-cut kyanite, 4.55 cts, 11.3 x 8.1 mm, Nepal. © The Gem Trader. Used with permission.

Start an IGS Membership today

for full access to our price guide (updated monthly).

Kyanite Value

kyanites in quartz matrix - Brazil
Kyanites in a quartz matrix, 11 x 9.1 x 7.6 cm (crystals measure over 6 cm), Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

What is Kyanite?

Kyanite is an aluminum silicate mineral that's notoriously difficult to facet because of its perfect cleavage and variable hardness, even within the same crystal. When cut parallel to its (long) c-axis, it has a hardness of 4 to 4.5. When cut perpendicular to its c-axis, it has a hardness of 6 to 7.5.

Kyanite is polymorphous with andalusite and sillimanite. These gems share the same chemistry but have different crystal systems.

Does Kyanite Make a Good Jewelry Stone?

Faceted kyanites as display pieces or jewelry stones should appeal to collectors of unusual gems or aficionados of the art of gem cutting. If faceted by expert gem cutters, kyanites can make beautiful gemstones. However, they will typically contain many flaws and inclusions, especially in larger sizes.

kyanites - Brazil
Kyanites: Brazil (4.55, 7.80). Photo © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.

Blue kyanites are popular with collectors, but these gems can occur in many other colors, including green, pink, yellow, and orange.

orange kyanite - Tanzania
Rectangular step-cut kyanite, 1.26 cts, 7.1 x 4.7 mm, Loliondo, Tanzania. © The Gem Trader. Used with permission.

Some stones may have color zones. Color change in some stones, from greenish blue in daylight to purple under incandescent light, has also been reported. In rare cases, cabbed kyanites may display chatoyancy.

cat's eye cabochon
Cat's eye kyanite, 6.79 cts, 11.1 mm, Brazil. © The Gem Trader. Used with permission.

Due to their variable hardness, kyanites in rings should have protective settings. These gems make great options for other jewelry uses, such as in earrings, pendants, and brooches.

Kyanites as Sapphire Imitations

Some kyanites have been presented as blue sapphire lookalikes. Although some specimens do display comparable colors, gemologists can readily distinguish these gems. Sapphire and kyanite have different refractive indices, optic character, and specific gravity values. Of course, kyanite's hardness values also distinguish it from sapphire. However, scratch testing isn't recommended on finished gemstones.

If you're considering a kyanite as a sapphire substitute, please keep in mind that kyanite is less durable than sapphire (but also much less expensive).

blue kyanite
Kyanite. Photo © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.

Are There Synthetic Kyanites?

In the 1970s, scientists successfully synthesized kyanites for research into their coloration. However, the challenges kyanite poses to gem cutting make the chances for a viable jewelry market for a synthetic version very improbable. Furthermore, kyanite isn't a rare mineral. It has many industrial uses, in fields such as abrasives, automotive brake materials, ceramics, and electronics.

Nevertheless, you might find so-called "synthetic kyanites" for sale online, especially as beads. Most likely, these are just lookalikes rather than lab-created kyanites. These may be instances of the term "synthetic" being used in the popular sense of "not real."

Heating pale blue kyanites to 1,200º C may cause them to lose their color.

Where are Kyanites Found?

Many localities around the world produce kyanites. Some of the most notable sources of gem-quality material include the following:

  • Unites States: Connecticut; Georgia; Massachusetts; Yancy, North Carolina (deep blue or green crystals up to 2 inches long, some facetable); Vermont; Virginia.
  • Brazil: large blue and blue-green crystals.
  • Kenya: fine blue color, facetable; Machakos District (large blue crystals, banded with green; also colorless).
kyanites - Brazil and Kenya
Kyanites: Brazil (3.28); Kenya (2.60). Photo © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.
  • Mozambique: dark blue, chromium and titanium-bearing.
  • Switzerland: with staurolite in schist.
  • Austria; India; Italy; Madagascar; Myanmar; Namibia; Nepal; Tanzania; Zimbabwe.
Cr-V kyanite - Tanzania
Chromium-vanadium bearing kyanite, rectangle cut, 1.96 cts, 9.1 x 5.8 mm, Tanzania. © The Gem Trader. Used with permission.

Stone Sizes

Faceters have cut gems up to about 20 carats. Stones over 5 carats are seldom completely clean. Many of these stones are Brazilian; some are African.

  • Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC): 10.7 (blue, Brazil): 9.1 (green, Brazil); 4.9 (blue, Tanzania).
  • Private Collection: 6.57 (blue-green, North Carolina). 
  • Devonian Group (Calgary, Alberta, Canada): 14.0 (blue, Africa); 8.55 (blueish. Africa).
  • Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto, Ontario, Canada): 40.26, 12.38 (rectangular step-cut, Brazil).

How to Care for Kyanite Jewelry

Since most kyanites are heavily included, don't clean these gems with mechanical cleaning systems, like steam and ultrasound. Clean them only with a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water. Consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide for more recommendations.

sterling silver earrings with kyanites and topazes
Sterling silver earrings with kyanite and white and blue topaz. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Dalshire International.

Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA

Dr. Joel E. Arem has more than 60 years of experience in the world of gems and minerals. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University, he has published numerous books that are still among the most widely used references and guidebooks on crystals, gems and minerals in the world.

Co-founder and President of numerous organizations, Dr. Arem has enjoyed a lifelong career in mineralogy and gemology. He has been a Smithsonian scientist and Curator, a consultant to many well-known companies and institutions, and a prolific author and speaker. Although his main activities have been as a gem cutter and dealer, his focus has always been education. joelarem.com


International Gem Society

Related Articles

More Articles
Black Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Black Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Black is a color that can say a lot. Wearing black diamond jewelry communicates a sense of unique strength and...
Read More
Chameleon Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information1.50-ct diamond</a> usually has a pleasing, gentle Fancy Gray-Yellowish Green color, but looks completely different if you leave it in your jewelry box for a few weeks." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Chameleon Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Professionals will tell you never to trust a trade name used to describe the appearance of a fancy colored diamond....
Read More
Gray Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Gray Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Diamonds with a pure gray hue are a rare treasure indeed. More often, gray is mixed with blue or violet...
Read More
Green Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information1.40 Fancy Intense Yellowish Green gem</a> are rare treasures. " src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Green Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Green diamonds are the oddballs of the fancy colored diamond varieties. Their rare color is usually the result of damage...
Read More

Latest Articles

More Articles
Classic Engagement Ring StonesPastel purple sapphire</a>, 1.08 cts, 5.8 mm, round cut, Sri Lanka. © <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/kyanite-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/"https://www.thegemtrader.com/">The Gem Trader</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Classic Engagement Ring Stones

Emerald, ruby, sapphire, and diamond are the most popular choices for classic engagement ring stones. Learn more about these traditional...
Read More
Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Is fei cui a better term for "pyroxene jade" than jadeite? Jeffery Bergman reviews Broken Bangle, a new book on...
Read More
Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry InformationJoel E. Arem</a>, PhD, FGA. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

One of the rarest of all facetable gems, cut cuprites can show magnificent deep red color. However, these beautiful stones...
Read More
Gemstone Radiation TreatmentPhoto courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/kyanite-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/kyanite-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/1081/eros-auctions-inc/">Eros Auctions, Inc</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Gemstone Radiation Treatment

Gemstone radiation is a common but little understood technique for altering colors. Learn how it works and what gems usually...
Read More

Never Stop Learning

When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.

Become a Member

Get Gemology Insights

Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!