Iolite (Cordierite)

Item Description

I love the fact that there are certain names in the gem world that you don't really seen used in the mineral world, and vice versa. In the gem world, most people probably haven't heard of Cordierite, but it's the actual species name of Iolite, which is the purple/blue variety. 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 is virtually eye clean with an "Oval Brilliant" cut, and it does show fairly good pleochroism when rotated on its various axes.