Staurolite: An Appropriate Mineral for Good Friday (Part One)

     Staurolite crystals are hexagonal prisms that can be reddish-brown, yellow-brown, brown-black, or rarely blue in color. It is not altogether uncommon to find staurolite crystals on a matrix. In the mineralogical world the term matrix refers to a piece of rock or dirt that a crystal is connected to. Staurolite crystals are famous for their twinning properties as well. Staurolite crystals have been known to intersect each other at angles of 60 and even 90 degrees, thereby forming cross-shaped crystal twins. This is actually where staurolite gets its name from. The name “staurolite” is composed of the Greek words stauros (which means “cross”) and lithos (which means “stone”) so staurolite’s name actually means “cross stone.” In addition to its scientific name, staurolite twins are known by a number of nicknames, the most famous of which is “fairy cross.” Other nicknames include: “cross stone” “faith cross” and “angel cross.” appropriate
     Staurolite has been used as a cross symbol since Medieval times. In those days staurolite twins were collected and used to represent Christ’s cross both on a matrix and free of one. Those that were free of a matrix were used to make pendants. Today staurolite crosses are used to make pendants and broaches, and small ones are used to make earrings. Finely ground staurolite can also be used as an abrasive in sand-blasters when a medium that is harder than quartz is required. Blue staurolite can also be used to make pigments.
     Staurolite is found all over the world, but collectible specimens are found in only a few places. Such places include: Russia, Ukraine, Japan, China, Spain, Turkey, and the Appalachian Mountains of North America.