kyanite

[ kahy-uh-nahyt ]

noun

1. a mineral, aluminum silicate, Al 2 SiO 5 , occurring in blue or greenish bladed triclinic crystals, used as a refractory.

kyanite

/ ˈkaɪəˌnaɪt; ˌkaɪəˈnɪtɪk /

noun

1. a grey, green, or blue mineral consisting of aluminium silicate in triclinic crystalline form. It occurs in metamorphic rocks and is used as a refractory. Formula AL 2 SiO 5

kyanite

/ kī′ə-nīt′ /

1. A bluish-green to colorless triclinic mineral. Kyanite occurs as long, thin, blade-shaped crystals in metamorphic rocks. It is unique among minerals in having two grades of hardness, one along its length, and one along its width. It is a polymorph of andalusite and sillimanite, but can form at lower temperatures than either of these. Chemical formula: Al 2 SiO 5 .

Derived Forms

• kyanitic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of kyanite¹

1785–95; irregular < Greek kýan ( os ) cyan + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

She seemed certain that she knew what was missing in my life: blue kyanite.

From Los Angeles Times

The federal government is trying to protect the wells from contaminated groundwater that leaked from the old Henry’s Knob kyanite mine.

From Washington Times

For office workers drained of energy, rose quartz can help, and for those suffering from voodoo spells and witchcraft hexes, black tourmaline and kyanite are good defenders.

From New York Times

Prof Stewart was keeping an eye out for a mineral known as kyanite, a beautiful blue specimen commonly seen in the Manhattan schist.

From BBC

Prof Iain Stewart was looking for a mineral known as kyanite, a beautiful blue specimen commonly seen in the Manhattan.

From BBC