Iolite

Item Description

Iolite is the name given to the gem variety of Cordierite showing a beautiful combination of blue/purple and golden/yellow hues. The material is well-known in the gem industry, and there are truly only a few places in the world the produce a good amount of gem quality material. Years ago I was told that before Tanzanite was on the market, Iolite was one arguably one of the most well-known pleochroic gems out there. Iolite translated from Greek literally means "violet stone". These gems are sometimes known as "water Sapphire" in various corners of the gem world, but it is truly gem grade Cordierite. Iolite is strongly pleochroic and shows a strong blue color one direction, a violet color another direction, and a yellowish color in the third direction. This particular gem is from the Tanzanian gem gravels, where some of the nicest Iolites are being mined these days. The stone has an "Oval Brilliant" cut, and it does show slight fairly good pleochroism when rotated on its various axes.