Kyanite is highly recognizable due to its distinct bladed habit and variable hardness depending on the direction of the blade. It is an index mineral for metamorphic environments and is commonly found in schist and gneiss, often associated with staurolite and garnet.

Hardness

4.5-7

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralcommon

Kyanite

Also: Disthene, Rhaeticite

Hardness: 4.5-7
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this kyanite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch kyanite with a known reference. Kyanite sits at Mohs 4.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kyanite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Kyanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue, colorless, white, gray, green, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals.

Often confused with

Kyanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside kyanite

Minerals reported to co-occur with kyanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Al₂SiO₅
Mohs hardness: 4.5-7
Density: 3.5-3.7 g/cm³
Colors: Blue Colorless White Gray Green Black
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Bladed Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Common
Uses: Gemstone, Industrial, Collector
Host rock: Metamorphic Rocks
Typical price: $10-50 per specimen for typical blades, $100+ for rare transparent gems.

Where rockhounds find kyanite

55 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Switzerland
USA (North Carolina)
Brazil
Nepal
Kenya

U.S. states with kyanite

Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce kyanite.

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where kyanite typically forms. If you start seeing staurolite, garnet, mica in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin — start trip planning there.

Browse 55 U.S. spots for kyanite →

Common questions

How do you identify kyanite?+

Mohs hardness is 4.5-7. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include blue, colorless, white, gray.

Where is kyanite found?+

Notable localities include Switzerland; USA (North Carolina); Brazil; Nepal; Kenya.

Can I find kyanite in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 55 kyanite rockhounding spots across 12 U.S. states — the top states are North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin.

How much is kyanite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $10-50 per specimen for typical blades, $100+ for rare transparent gems.. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like kyanite?+

Kyanite is most often confused with Glaucophane, Benitoite, Sillimanite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with kyanite?+

Kyanite commonly co-occurs with Staurolite, Garnet, Mica, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does kyanite form in?+

Kyanite typically forms in metamorphic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is kyanite used for?+

Kyanite is used in gemstone, industrial, collector.

Find kyanite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.