Iolite (Cordierite) (3-stone set)

Item Description

Iolite is the violet gem variety of the mineral Cordierite, named after the Greek word "ios" meaning, violet. An entry on the GIA website states, "According to legend, iolite is called the Viking Compass Stone. It’s said that thin slices of iolite served as glare-reducers and polarizing filters that helped ancient Viking navigators locate the sun on cloudy days. This allowed the Nordic mariners to pinpoint their own location on the seas". Today Iolite is found from several world localities in fine gem grade examples. Tanzania is one of the leading producers of the material, and this 3-stone set is a great example of the fine gems that have come out of the years. This set features 3 well-matched "Oval Brilliant" cut stones with rich saturated color, and good internal clarity (only very slight inclusions). 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, and these stones show good pleochroism when they are rotated in the light.