mineral
Fairy Stone
Staurolite (Fe2Al9O6(SiO4)4(O,OH)2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, brown to reddish-brown color, vitreous to resinous luster, and well-known for forming distinctive cross-shaped (cruciform) twin crystals. It has a specific gravity of about 3.7.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, brown to reddish-brown color, vitreous to resinous luster, and well-known for forming distinctive cross-shaped (cruciform) twin crystals. It has a specific gravity of about 3.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed through regional metamorphism of aluminum-rich pelitic rocks like schist and gneiss, typically during the Precambrian to Paleozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as a talisman, in jewelry making, and as a popular specimen for mineral collectors.
Geological facts
Also known as fairy crosses, these stones were traditionally carried as protective amulets in folklore. They commonly twin at 60-degree or 90-degree angles.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified in the field by its distinct brownish color and natural cross-shaped twinning. Commonly found in metamorphic terrains worldwide, especially in regions like Virginia and Switzerland.
