What are Staurolite crystals? Staurolite crystals are a natural rock formation in the shape of a cross. These stone crosses are found loose in the dirt and also embedded in the rocks.

        Where are they found? They are found in large quantities in four states: Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and New Mexico. They are also found in Russia.

Is it possible they were made by man in some past generation? No. They were formed when the mountains were formed in the Beginning. They are found inside of metamorphic rocks which man did not make. This is a miracle of creation.

        Although people have been coming to Patrick County to hunt for these crosses of stone for many generations, most of the people in the world have never heard of this wonder of nature.
 
        As the early settlers of Patrick County cleared land for farming and used the logs for lumber to build houses and barns, an amazing discovery was made.

        From the sawmill roadbeds where the wagons had
 worn away the mulch and dirt that covered the stones, there emerged stones with a cross embedded in them.

        Some other outcroppings were found and word of this natural wonder and miracle of God spread to all parts of Patrick County. People started hunting and collecting these "Crosses of Stone."

         A state park was built in Patrick County to commemorate the stone crosses of staurolite crystal, which are sometimes called fairy stone crosses.

        Staurolite crystals are formed in 100 or more sizes. From one-eighth inch to over four inches. They are formed in over thirty variations of four basic shapes––three crosses and a single crystal. They are found in all sizes in all four shapes.

        Staurolite crystals are found in a hardness scale from 0 to 7-1/2 on the Moh scale. They are formed in many thicknesses also. The black stones are the hardest. They are about the same hardness as quartz and they reflect light about the same as quartz.

        Staurolite crystals are formed in five colors; red, white, black, brown and yellow. All colors will turn gray when exposed to the elements for a long period of time.

 Staurolite crystals are formed in many stages of perfection, from a faint cross to a perfect cross and every stage in between. The scientific or geological name for the crosses is staurolite crystals, which are formed of iron, aluminum and silicate.  

Click on the pictures below for a larger version

   Click Here for Directions to:
Stone Cross Mountain Museum

   

Crosses of Stone

The crucifixion of Christ was the greatest price ever spent,
God formed the crosses of stone to record this memorial event.
The suffering, crucifixion and death of Christ on the cross long ago
was the most important event ever transpired on the earth, this I know.

We have worked long and hard gathering the stones, one by one.
That others may see the greatness of God and what He has done.
He formed these crosses of stone to represent Christ and the two thieves.
The cross is a symbol of suffering and victory to everyone who believes.

If I could have one request of thee,
consider carefully what you see.
And share with others what has been shared with you.
All honor belongs to God, and Christ our Saviour, to whom it is due.

Don Hopkins