Natural Iolites Overview
 When Iolite crystal is cut in the proper alignment, the gem has an attractive rich violet hue.
It has medium durability and is suitable for most jewelry settings. Because of its strong pleochroism, it appears to be different colors when viewed from different angles.
The more prized Iolite are those gemstones with the deepest hues. Iolite may be heated to enhance the color. This treatment is stable and permanent.
Physical Properties
| Color |
Blue to Blue Violet |
| Refractive Index |
7.0-7.5 |
| Pleochroism |
Very strong |
| Chemistry |
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate |
| Hardness |
1.52-1.57 |
| Density |
2.54-2.62 |
| Crystal Group |
Orthorhombic |
| Ocurrence |
Africa, Asia, India |
Legend and Lore
The name Iolite comes from the Greek word ios, meaning violet. Iolite was used for navigational purposes by the Vikings. Its pleochroism effect enabled ancient mariners to determine the sun’s location on overcast days.
Pleochroism is the tendency of the crystal to refract light from different wavelengths in different directions. Iolite crystals appear dark when viewed down the crystal axis, but much lighter when viewed across the crystal axis.
Browse Iolites
The pictures above only represents the general appearance of the Iolite. Please note that the real Iolites in our stock will be of varied shapes, color and sizes.
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