Fairy Cross

The staurolite crystal is a natural phenomenon found in the earth at only a few places in the world. It is a rare, mysterious and mystical mineral; shaped by Nature into unique forms, each an individual work of art.

Many studies on the staurolite have been conducted in years past, by both professional and non-professional groups. Since a widely circulated paper was published in the early 1950s by University of Georgia professor Vernon J. Hurst, there has been an avid interest by geologists and rock hounds in these fascinating crystals.

Estimated to be 60-500 million years old, there is much controversy on the origin of the staurolite. Some say they formed from a meteorite that broke apart while entering the Earth’s atmosphere. The pieces, by gravitational force were then deposited in small pockets in different areas of the world. Another theory is that the crystals came from several miles within the Earth; and through thousands of years shifted their way closer to the Earth’s surface. A popular Christian religious theory is that at the time of the crucifixion of Christ the angels shed many tears that crystallized and fell to the Earth as staurolites. Another legend states that staurolites are the tears of the Fairies shed when Jesus died, thus the name “Fairy Cross”.

Regardless of the origin, people of many nationalities and races have used staurolite crystals, or “faith crosses” as good luck charms for thousands of years. Religions and legends have prompted strong belief in the magical little rocks.

In recent years the staurolite has become a highly prized and collectible mineral of the Appalachian region. In 1976 it was designated as the State of Georgia’s official mineral. With growth and development of the few areas where staurolites can be found, they are now becoming a very rare commodity. Precious few staurolites exist in perfect twinned dimensional form. The most highly prized of these are in the shape of a 90-degree cross. These are found in an approximate ratio of 1 in 10,000. The staurolite “twins” in an infinite number of other crossed shapes and is also found in single 6-sided crystal form. All forms are important to those who honor the staurolite.