Before Christmas, you may remember, I went on a mission to see what I could dig up about crystals in the Algarve. And, even though I ended up calling the story Crystal Clear, what really became ‘clear’ to me, the ‘deeper I dug’, was that the world of crystals (and their various properties and powers) is so deep that it would take me forever to get to the bottom of it in just a single story.

That's why I thought it might be nice to team up with Jami, a crystal shop located in downtown Faro that I found during my travels. It’s run by a lovely couple called Jõao AMetista and Ida (hence the name ‘Jami’) and when I last saw them they were just about to ‘bring light into the world’ and I’m delighted to announce that all went well and their little baby girl Luz was born over Christmas.

Now, obviously, they’ve got their hands full at the moment, what with this new ray of light to contend with and their shop having just reopened, but they very kindly agreed to take a little time every month to ease us all into the world of these precious stones with a ‘Crystal of the Month’. This month this turns out to actually be the crystal of the year, but forgive me, I’m stealing Jami’s thunder, I’ll let them take it from here…

Blue Kyanite

Meant to be the crystal of the year 2022, it’s also called disthene or cyanite. It occurs in different colours, most common is blue, or rather, ‘cyan blue' (hence the name cyanite). Unlike the majority of minerals, which are formed during magma cooling, this mineral is formed with metamorphism and found on metamorphic rocks.

Where is it found?

It’s formed when other minerals and rocks containing muscovite, staurolite and quartz suffer a huge temperature or pressure rise. It’s mainly found in Brazil, Switzerland, Quênia, Myanmar and Austria. It’s mined mainly to produce spark plugs and porcelain, however, any particularly beautiful specimens are also sold to collectors and to lithotherapists (holistic therapy with minerals, fossils and rocks).

The benefits

In the metaphysical field, blue kyanite facilitates channelling and contact with spiritual masters and guides and with our superior self. It’s used in the treatment of muscular problems, adrenal glands, throat and brain. Due to its formation, it's one of the few crystals that doesn't need energetic cleansing. It’s meant to be the crystal of 2022 because this is a year of interior awakening and changing. Blue Kyanite will guide us on our path during this coming year.

If you can’t wait till next month and are impatient to find out more about crystals, then visit Jami on Facebook (@Jami - Healing Energy) or Instagram (@jami_minerals) or visit their website www.jami.pt.