I am trying to find information on the properties of Kyanite. I haven’t been able to find any information anywhere. I have a matched set of eight large ovals that are going into an expensive necklace and I need to know if Kyanite can hold up to Rhodium plating and ultrasonic cleaning?
We would be grateful for any help anyone could provide.
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2005 11:45 am Posts: 1107 Location: Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Welcome DJJ!
Kyanite properties:
Triclinic crystal system
RI: 1.716-1.731 (+/-.004)
Optic Character: DR, biaxial negative
Dispersion: .020
Pleochroism: blue - moderate, colorless, dark blue, and violet blue
Birefringence: .012 to .017
Transparency: Transparent
Colors: Usually light to dark blue to green; may be yellow, gray, brown, or colorless; gem specimens often zoned in bands of blue, green, and colorless.
Cause of color: blue - iron and titanium, green - vanadium
Specific Gravity: 3.68 (+.01/-.12)
Polish Luster: Vitreous
Typical cutting style: faceted
Fracture: uneven
Fracture luster: vitreous to pearly
Cleavage: perfect in one direction, distinct in one direction, parting
Identifying characteristics: commonly color zoned, may appear fibrous
Cleaning methods:
ultrasonic: Never
Steamer: Never
Warm soapy water: Safe
MOH's hardness: 4 - 7 1/2
Toughness: Poor
Reaction to heat - very sensitive
Stability to light - stable
Reaction to chemicals: not attacked by acids
Avoid rough handling
The stones are going to be bezel set into 18KW palladium. Based on this information we will probably now serrate the bezels in order to minimize the impact on the stones and later we will rhodium plate in order to brighten everything up. We’ve already noticed some minute flaking so we know we’re going to have to proceed with extreme caution.
The kyanite will all be set into a major necklace that includes large aquamarine cabochons, fine quality sapphire melee, some medium size sapphire bead accents and of course a good spattering of pave set diamond melee. I’ve never seen anything like it personally, so I am also curious to see how it turns out. I’ll try to post a picture whenever it becomes available.
Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:47 pm Posts: 2505 Location: Eastern Europe
DJJ-MC2 wrote:
The kyanite will all be set into a major necklace ... I’ll try to post a picture whenever it becomes available.
Looking forward to seeing it!
Awesome to see anyone daring anything lighthearted with precious materials... any time, any place, so rare! [trying hard not to sound like a feet stomping fan here]
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