Staurolite Gem Guide and Properties Chart (2024)

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Staurolite Gem Guide and Properties Chart? ›

Staurolite is a reddish brown to black, mostly opaque, nesosilicate mineral with a white streak. It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, has a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5 and the chemical formula: Fe²⁺₂Al₉O₆(SiO₄)₄(O,OH)₂.

Staurolite is a reddish brown to black, mostly opaque, nesosilicate mineral with a white streak. It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, has a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5 and the chemical formula: Fe²⁺₂Al₉O₆(SiO₄)₄(O,OH)₂.

Staurolite crystals are deeply grounding stones said to promote lucid dreaming. It is also believed to aid in understanding the lessons of dreams. Staurolite is a stone that's said to be helpful for opening and activating the psychic senses. It can also be used for divination and astral travel.

The name staurolite derives from the Greek words stauros and lithos, or cross stone. This name comes from the fact that staurolite naturally occurs in a cross shape. For centuries, the stone has been prized as a good luck talisman, used in religious jewelry, carved into cameos, and worn as amulets.

Is staurolite a rare mineral? No, the staurolite mineral is fairly common. However, transparent staurolite suited for faceted stones is scarce. Plus, staurolite's capability for twinning at both 60° and 90° is a super rare quality among crystals.

The name staurolite comes from the Greek word stauros, meaning cross. Staurolite is prized for its twinned crystals that intersect at 60 or 90 angles forming x-like or perpendicular crosses and specimens exhibiting these forms are highly prized by collectors.

According to Native American Algonquin legend, Fairy Stones bring health and prosperity, protection against evil spirits and good luck to hunters and fishermen. Lovers would give them to their loved ones and the biggest specimens would often occupy a place of honour in their homes.

Relief: High. Cleavage: Perfect octahedral; Four direction are distinctive and commonly produce fragments as trigonal pyramids or triangular shapes. Interference colors: Low, I order grey-yellow.

Staurolite, also known as Fairy Stone or Fairy Cross, is a nesosilicate mineral that naturally occurs in cross shapes (cruciform). The minerals usually cross at a 60 or 90 degree angle, with some specimens representing a perfect perpendicular cross.

Pough states in his A Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals that "it can be regarded chemically as a mixture of kyanite and iron hydroxide." Although it is slightly affected by sulfuric acid, the mineral is infusible and virtually insoluble in acids. After firing, it crushes to a slightly magnetic brown powder.

What is the stone of the fairies? ›

But, hunting fairy stones is free! What are fairy stones? Fairy Stones are Staurolite crystals (especially Staurolite pseudomorph) are found in only a few places around the world.

And no, garnet and staurolite are not the same, although they might be found in the same kinds of rocks, and commonly may be found together.

Staurolite stones (from the Greek word Stauros, meaning "cross") are most commonly shaped like St. Andrew's and Roman crosses. For many years, people have used fairy stones as good luck charms, believing that they protect the wearer against witchcraft, sickness, accidents, and disaster.

Staurolite is a brittle, hard mineral that has a dull lustre. Its crystals are usually dark brown in colour and are often twinned in cruciform patterns (known as fairy crosses) that can be made into ornaments. The name is derived from stauros, the Greek word for cross.

Staurolite is found in medium-grade pelitic metamorphic rock, and is used as an index mineral in metamorphic zoning. Staurolite may be found with garnet, cordierite, kyanite, muscovite, biotite and quartz. It is in the lower to middle amphibolite facies.

How to Care for Staurolite Gemstones. Stay on the safe side and clean any staurolites, faceted or natural crystals, with a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water. Otherwise, these gems require no special care.

How is staurolite identified? Staurolite is identified by its cruciform crystal habit, color (typically brown to reddish-brown), hardness, luster, and optical properties such as birefringence and pleochroism.

It has a hardness of 5, the same as tooth enamel. Its specific gravity is 3.28–3.35, and it has two perfect and one very good cleavage directions. Additionally, dioptase is very fragile, and specimens must be handled with great care. It is a trigonal mineral, forming 6-sided crystals that are terminated by rhombohedra.

The staurolite has a radiating habit, not uncommon for this mineral. The minor opaque mineral is magnetite, and hematite stains some of the cracks. This sample comes from Rio Arriba County, Mexico. The field of view is about 2.5 mm across.