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 — that is 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.
Common questions
How do you identify fairy stone?+
Where is fairy stone found?+
How much is fairy stone worth?+
What rocks look like fairy stone?+
What minerals are found with fairy stone?+
What kind of rock does fairy stone form in?+
What is fairy stone used for?+
Find fairy stone on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
