Kyanite is an aluminum silicate that occurs in colorless, to blue-green, to blue forms. The hardness of kyanite, 4.5 to 7, varies with crystallographic direction. Like emerald, kyanite very rarely occurs in nature as flawless crystals. Lapidaries are forced to "make do" with crystal fragments that are more or less included. In spite of the inclusions, the gorgeous blue to green color of kyanite results in beautiful faceted gemstones that are highly prized by collectors. Although kyanite is relatively soft in certain directions, an expert metalsmith should have little trouble setting this gem in a pendant or pin.

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