What's That Rock?Kyanite
A blue blade-shaped mineral with a strange feature: it is hard in one direction and soft in another.
How to identify Kyanite
- Long flat blades in blue
- Scratches with a knife along the blade but resists across it
- Pearly flat faces
Often confused with
Is Kyanite valuable?
Inexpensive.
Typical retail prices
Tumbled stone$3–8each
Cut gemstone$10–80per carat
Collector specimen$5–50each
Typical retail ranges in US dollars, compiled from public dealer and marketplace listings in October 2026. Real prices vary widely with quality, size and origin. This is general information, not an appraisal.
What changes the price
- Color: deep, even blue blades are best; gray or white costs less
- Gem grade: transparent blue stones are rare because the stone cleaves and varies in hardness
- Crystals: sharp blades on matrix are inexpensive collector pieces
Uses
- Heat-resistant ceramics
- Collector gems
Care
Brittle along its length; avoid knocks.
Identifying a stone from a description or a photo is an estimate. Many stones look alike. Ask an expert or a gem lab before you buy, sell or rely on an identification.
Updated October 2026