Dumortierite is a fibrous variably colored aluminiumboro-silicate mineral which crystallizes in the orthorhombic system typically forming fibrous aggregates of slender prismatic crystals. The crystals are vitreous and vary in color from brown, blue, and green to the rarer violet and pink.
Dumortierite was first described in 1881 for an occurrence in Chaponost, in the Rhône-Alps of France and named for the French paleontologist Eugène Dumortier (1803–1873). It typically occurs in high temperature aluminium rich regional metamorphic rocks, those resulting from contact metamorphism and also in boron rich pegmatites.
Based on an African legend, Dumortierite, which is often found near sources of water, is actually petrified water due to its blue quartz color. Some of the writings claim that Dumortierite, when applied to the skin can relieve sunburn. Sometimes utilized as a diagnostic tool by ancient, stone healers since it provides insight into the condition and a better understanding of how to cure the patient.
Dumortierite is believed to be a stone of self-reliance and discipline. It is said to promote patience and orderliness. The stone is credited for promoting insight and aiding memory.
