Kyanite

specimen number:
2262111

location:
Minas Gerais, Brazil

description:
Attractive lustrous blue bladed crystals of kyanite with minor quartz. In good condition all around. Classic Brazilian material.

Minas Gerais, Brazil, is a prolific geological province located within the Sao Francisco Craton, featuring extensive Neoproterozoic metamorphic belts that are rich in aluminosilicate minerals. Geologically, kyanite occurs primarily within high-pressure metamorphic rocks such as mica schists and quartzites, where it often forms elongated, bladed crystals in striking shades of neon blue, teal, or orange. The most notable occurrences are found in the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri valleys, where the kyanite is associated with staurolite and quartz in regional metamorphic terrains. Historically, while mining and quarrying for gemstones and industrial minerals in Minas Gerais dates back to the Portuguese colonial era in the 1700s, the systematic extraction of kyanite for both industrial refractories and the collector market gained significant momentum in the mid-20th century. Operations have ranged from large-scale industrial quarries to smaller artisanal workings, with production remaining robust through 2026 to meet global demand for abrasive materials and high-quality mineral specimens. The region remains a vital source for studying the peak metamorphic conditions of the Brazilian Highlands and the crystal chemistry of the kyanite group.

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