Monday, January 15, 2024

Fairy Stones or Crosses - A Strange Mining Find



Fairy Cross - Flickr, Creative Commons

One strange and fascinating fact about mining involves the discovery of "fairy stones" or "cross stones." These naturally occurring mineral formations, primarily found in certain regions like Virginia in the United States, are made of staurolite, a combination of silica, iron, and aluminum. What makes these stones peculiar and a subject of interest is their natural cross shape, which can be a perfect Roman cross, a St. Andrew's cross, or a Maltese cross. According to local folklore, these stones were formed from the tears of fairies who cried when they heard the news of Christ's crucifixion, hence the name "fairy stones."

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