How Much Is Kyanite Worth?
Kyanite is a bladed aluminosilicate best known for its streaky sapphire-blue color and an unusual property: it has two very different hardnesses depending on direction (about 4.5 along the blade, 6.5–7 across it). Blue kyanite blades and tumbled pieces sell for $3–$30, good cabochons and jewelry-grade material for $15–$80, and fine transparent gem kyanite — clean, saturated blue faceted stones — for $30–$300+ per carat. Green, orange, and black kyanite also occur and are collected. Value comes from color intensity and evenness (deep, even blue is most desirable; kyanite often shows color streaking and zoning), transparency, and size. Gem-clean faceted kyanite is uncommon because of the material's cleavage and brittleness, so fine transparent stones carry a premium despite the mineral being fairly widespread.
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Kyanite value by type
| Type | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Blades / tumbled | $3 – $30 |
| Cabochons / jewelry-grade | $15 – $80 |
| Faceted gem (per carat) | $20 – $150/ct |
| Fine transparent blue (per ct) | $50 – $300+/ct |
Educational ballparks for typical specimens — not a formal appraisal.
What drives kyanite value
- Color. Deep, even sapphire-blue is top; streaky, pale, or zoned material is cheaper.
- Transparency. Gem-clean faceted stones are scarce and command premiums.
- Evenness. Uniform color beats the streaky zoning common in kyanite.
- Size & form. Larger clean blades and faceted stones are pricier.
Is your kyanite real?
Kyanite is rarely imitated; the main note is its directional hardness, which distinguishes it from look-alikes. Genuine kyanite is harder across the blade than along it, shows a bladed/splintery habit and pearly cleavage, and is often color-zoned. Uniform hardness in all directions points to a different stone or glass.
FAQ
- Why does kyanite have two hardnesses?
- Its crystal structure makes it much softer along the length of the blade (~4.5) than across it (~6.5–7) — a diagnostic property unique enough to help identify it.
- Is kyanite valuable?
- Common blades are inexpensive ($3–$30), but clean, deeply colored transparent gem kyanite reaches $50–$300+ per carat.