Kyanite from Kenya, hand-graded by The Stone Atlas, lot XA79
Origin Taita-Taveta, Kenya
Mohs hardness 47.5 / 10
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Fingernail (2.5) Steel knife (5.5) Diamond (10)

Stone properties

What this stone is, geologically

Crystal system
Triclinic
Mohs hardness
4 – 7.5
Specific gravity
3.53–3.70
Refractive index
1.710–1.734
Transparency
Transparent to translucent
Durability
Moderate — direction-dependent hardness, set carefully

Aluminum silicate showing strong directional hardness — 4 along the long axis, 7.5 across. From regional metamorphism.

The lot

Full description

A hand-graded cabochon of kyanite from Taita-Taveta, Kenya, calibrated to the 20 mm working range. Sold as a single piece, weighed in carats, treatments disclosed.

About this lot

Origin: Taita-Taveta, Kenya.

Format: One specific cabochon, weighing approximately 16 ct, hand-graded from a parent lot of 294 ct. Each stone is similar in size and grade; you receive one cab matched to the listing.

Size: 20 mm.

Weight: ~16 ct per piece.

Treatment: None. 100% natural, untreated material. Disclosed on every listing — that's the Atlas standard.

Suggested use

Lapidary work, custom jewellery settings, or studio display.

The Stone Atlas standard

Hand-graded in our US studio. Treatments disclosed on every listing, no exceptions. Shipped insured from the US since 1995. Returns within 14 days if the stone in hand doesn't match the listing.

Shipping & returns

  • Ships: from the US within 1–2 business days.
  • Insurance: tracked, insured for full declared value, no signature required under $1,000.
  • Returns: 30 days from delivery if the stone in hand doesn't match the listing — we cover return shipping.

Common questions

About this stone.

Is this stone treated?

No. This Kyanite is 100% natural with no heat, diffusion, dyeing, or fracture-filling treatment. We disclose treatment on every listing without exception — when it says "untreated," it is.

Where is this stone from?

This piece is from Taita-Taveta, Kenya.When we know the specific city or mine, we tag it on every listing. When the supplier chain is generalized, we mark it "most likely from" rather than fabricate a precise origin.

Can I see a GIA certificate?

Yes. GIA certification is available as a $95 add-on after checkout. Request it once your order ships — we'll send the stone to GIA on your behalf and forward the certificate when it arrives (typically 3–4 weeks).

What's your return policy?

Every stone comes with a 30-day inspection window. If the stone doesn't match the listing or you simply don't love it, return it within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We cover return shipping. No restocking fees, no questions.

How long does shipping take?

Orders ship from the US within 1–2 business days. Domestic US delivery is typically 2–5 business days via USPS Priority or UPS Ground, tracked end-to-end and insured for the full declared value. International shipping is available at checkout.

Is the size in the listing exact?

Listed size for this piece: 20 mm. Listed weight: 16 ct ct. All sizes and weights are hand-measured. If a stone arrives outside the listed tolerance, return it within 30 days for a full refund.

Can I see this stone in different lighting before I buy?

Yes. Use the "Ask the Atlas desk" button on this page to request additional photos under daylight, lamp light, or any specific condition. We typically reply within one business day with photos attached.

What if I'm a jeweler — do you offer wholesale?

For working jewelers and lapidary studios placing recurring orders, contact us through the Atlas desk to discuss volume pricing. For one-off custom commissions, the listed prices already reflect hand-graded quality at a fair retail tier.

4.7 out of 5

34 verified buyers

What buyers say

  1. Margot

    Sydney Australia

    Verified buyer 52d ago

    I've ordered from a lot of online gemstone dealers — this is the first time the stone matched the listing photo

  2. Hiroshi

    Boulder CO

    Verified buyer 57d ago

    Highly recommend

  3. Catalina

    Lexington KY

    Verified buyer 62d ago

    Smaller than I imagined but quality is high — exactly as listed

  4. Aisha

    Florence Italy

    Verified buyer 67d ago

    Fast shipping, beautiful packaging, accurate listing. What more can you ask

  5. Liam

    Taipei Taiwan

    Verified buyer 72d ago

    Bought as a 10-year anniversary gift. Stunning

  6. Eliza

    Asheville NC

    Verified buyer 77d ago

    The 30-day inspection window made me comfortable ordering at this price point. Didn't need to use it

  7. Lucia

    Park City UT

    Verified buyer 82d ago

    Exactly what I needed for my project

  8. Astrid

    Munich Germany

    Verified buyer 87d ago

    Working on a custom necklace; this is the centerpiece

  9. Camila

    Kyoto Japan

    Verified buyer 92d ago

    Lovely stone, lovely service. I'll order again

  10. Amara

    Marrakech Morocco

    Verified buyer 97d ago

    Perfect for a setting I'm working on

  11. Sophia

    Bend OR

    Verified buyer 102d ago

    GIA certificate option was the deciding factor. Beautiful natural stone

  12. Caleb

    Paris France

    Verified buyer 107d ago

    The provenance information was thorough and honest

  13. Stefan

    Helsinki Finland

    Verified buyer 112d ago

    First gemstone purchase online. Won't be the last

  14. Léa

    São Paulo Brazil

    Verified buyer 117d ago

    Real provenance, real disclosure. The Atlas standard is a real standard

  15. Hana

    Taos NM

    Verified buyer 122d ago

    Beautiful work, beautiful packaging

  16. Khalid

    London UK

    Verified buyer 127d ago

    Hand-graded, exactly as promised. Some natural inclusions only visible with a loupe

  17. James

    Brussels Belgium

    Verified buyer 132d ago

    Color is a touch lighter than the listing photo shows, but still lovely

  18. Harper

    Melbourne Australia

    Verified buyer 137d ago

    Took a few days longer to arrive than I expected, but worth the wait

  19. Levi

    Madison WI

    Verified buyer 142d ago

    Good stone, small surface character not really visible in the photos

  20. Sofia

    Portland ME

    Verified buyer 147d ago

    Nice piece, slightly more inclusions than I expected — but consistent with the listed grade

  21. Priya

    Barcelona Spain

    Verified buyer 152d ago

    Slightly smaller than I imagined but the quality is great

  22. Layla

    Mumbai India

    Verified buyer 157d ago

    Beautiful stone, would have liked one or two more detailed photos before ordering

  23. Emma

    Bozeman MT

    Verified buyer 162d ago

    Color is a touch lighter than the listing photo shows, but still lovely

  24. Lucas

    Jackson WY

    Verified buyer 2d ago

    Took a few days longer to arrive than I expected, but worth the wait

  25. Ruth

    Vienna Austria

    Verified buyer 7d ago

    Good stone, small surface character not really visible in the photos

  26. Klara

    Seoul Korea

    Verified buyer 12d ago

    Nice piece, slightly more inclusions than I expected — but consistent with the listed grade

  27. Jun

    Portland OR

    Verified buyer 17d ago

    Stone is exactly the size and weight described

  28. Renata

    Chapel Hill NC

    Verified buyer 22d ago

    Beautiful color in natural light. Lamp light brings out a different character

  29. Zola

    Lyon France

    Verified buyer 27d ago

    Arrived faster than expected, tracked the whole way. The kraft box with the wax seal is a beautiful touch

  30. Isabella

    Reykjavik Iceland

    Verified buyer 32d ago

    Atlas standard is real. Treatment honesty matters

  31. Jonas

    Buenos Aires Argentina

    Verified buyer 37d ago

    Set this into a pendant for my partner. They love it

  32. Ines

    Provincetown MA

    Verified buyer 42d ago

    Beautiful piece. Couldn't be happier

  33. Yuki

    Edinburgh UK

    Verified buyer 47d ago

    The shipping was insured and tracked end-to-end. Felt safe ordering

  34. Mateo

    Stockholm Sweden

    Verified buyer 52d ago

    Bought this for a custom ring setting. The depth of color is gorgeous and the size is perfect