Kyynelkivi

Kyynelkivi (Finnish for "tear stone") is a term used in the Finnish language with several overlapping, non-scientific meanings. Most often it denotes a stone or mineral that has a teardrop-like appearance or that is associated in folklore with tears. It is not a formal mineralogical or geological category; thus its exact definition varies by region and context.

Usage and contexts: In everyday speech, kyynelkivi may describe teardrop-shaped crystals or nodules—often quartz, calcite, chalcedony, or agate—in which the teardrop form is prominent. In jewelry and lapidary traditions, the label can be applied to polished stones cut in a teardrop shape or to stones with a droplet silhouette. In folklore and popular culture, kyynelkivi can appear in stories as a symbolic stone connected to sorrow or to the shedding of tears; such associations are cultural rather than scientific.

Distribution and notes: The term is primarily used in Finnish-language sources and regional dialects; there is no standardized national inventory for kyynelkivi. Collectors or vendors may use the name informally to market stones with teardrop shapes or evocative symbolism.

See also: Teardrop shape, Finnish mineral names, lapidary.