Iolite (Cordierite)

Item Description

Cordierite is probably most well known for it's purple/blue variety called Iolite. 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 India, and from what I'm told dates back to a discovery in the 1970s. The stone is a nearly eye clean "Round Brilliant" cut gem, and it does show good pleochroism when rotated on each side.