Cross stone ("Chiastolite") pierced pendant from Santiago de Compostella / Spain.

Chiastolite is a variety of Andalusite, named after the distinctive cross in the cross section of the crystal chiastos cross. Because of the distinctive cross in the cross section, chiastolite has been used to make amulets since ancient times. Chiastolites are known from the Fichtel Mountains in Germany. They have also been found in Santiago de Compostella in Spain, in Brittany in France, and in the French Pyrenees. In England they are rare, in Russia chiastolites have been found in the Transbaikal area. Beautiful stones have been found in the vicinity of Bona in Algeria, as well as in various places in Arizona, United States. Probably the finest chiastolites are found in Bimbowrie in Australia. Recently, good stones have also been found in China.