A natural staurolite “fairy cross” from Taos, New Mexico, from Cian Baurley’s Mystery Gems collection. Staurolite often grows as two crystals that pass through each other (a penetration twin), forming a cross. This stone shows the crossing twin lines clearly on its face. From the photos it looks like the right-angle “Greek/Roman cross” form, but the less common 60-degree “X” (St. Andrew’s cross) twin is hard to tell apart on a worn natural stone, so please judge from the photos.

It is a dark brown to almost black, chunky, rough natural crystal. It is already drilled with a hole through the end of one arm, ready for a jump ring, wire wrap, cord or pendant setting. The Taos (Hondo Canyon) area is a classic locality for staurolite crosses.

It comes in a small black gift display box with white cotton.

Folklore (for interest only, not factual claims): staurolite crosses are known as “fairy stones”. Legend says they formed from the tears of fairies. For centuries they have been carried as good-luck and protection charms, said to guard against harm, sickness and misfortune.

Stone: approx. 1.05 x 0.91 x 0.54 in, approx. 0.7 oz.
In the display box: approx. 2.47 x 1.58 x 0.88 in, approx. 1 oz. This is display packaging, not the shipping box.
A natural stone with rough spots, as shown. Sold as-is, no returns. See all photos, including the drill hole.