description Staurolite Overview
Staurolite is a nesosilicate mineral composed of iron, aluminum, and silicate, commonly found in regional metamorphic rocks such as schist and gneiss. It is most recognized for its tendency to form twinned crystals that intersect at 60-degree or 90-degree angles, creating distinctive X-shaped or cross-shaped structures often referred to as "fairy crosses." These crystals are typically dark reddish-brown to black and have a glassy to resinous luster. The mineral is frequently sought after by collectors and is notably abundant in metamorphic regions like Patrick County, Virginia, and parts of Georgia, where it holds official state mineral status.
help Staurolite FAQ
Why is staurolite called the fairy cross stone?
Staurolite frequently forms twinned crystals that intersect at roughly 60-degree or 90-degree angles, producing natural cross shapes. These twinned specimens, popularly called fairy crosses or fairy stones, have long been carried as good-luck charms.
Where can you find staurolite in the United States?
Notable sources include Virginia, home to Fairy Stone State Park, and staurolite is also the official state mineral of Georgia. It typically occurs in metamorphic rocks such as schist and gneiss in mountain belts like the Appalachians.
How hard is staurolite on the Mohs scale?
Staurolite ranks about 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. That durability helps twinned crystals survive weathering out of their host rock intact, which is why fairy crosses are often found in stream sediments.
What does the name staurolite mean?
The name comes from the Greek words stauros (cross) and lithos (stone), a direct reference to the mineral's cross-shaped twins. It is a nesosilicate composed of iron, aluminum, and silicate.
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