Fairy stones are naturally occurring twinned crystals of staurolite, highly prized by collectors for their distinct cruciform (cross-like) appearance. They are typically found weathered out of mica-rich schist and can be collected from stream beds or weathered soil where the durable crystals have accumulated.
Is this fairy stone?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch fairy stone with a known reference. Fairy Stone sits at Mohs 7-7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fairy Stone leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fairy Stone typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, reddish-brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: twinned prismatic crystals in cross shapes.
Often confused with
Fairy Stone vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside fairy stone
Minerals reported to co-occur with fairy stone. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe,Mg,Zn)₂Al₉Si₄O₂₃(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 7-7.5
- Density
- 3.7-3.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Twinned Prismatic Crystals in Cross Shapes
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary, Ornamental
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks Like Schist and Gneiss
- Typical price
- $5-50 depending on twinning perfection and size
Where rockhounds find fairy stone
Classic worldwide localities
- Patrick County, Virginia
- Brittany, France
- Fannin County, Georgia
- Tasmania, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks like schist and gneiss country, the host setting where fairy stone typically forms. If you start seeing garnet, mica, kyanite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a twinned prismatic crystals in cross shapes habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
More fairy stone photos
Common questions
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Find fairy stone on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
