I
IOLITE
Name: The name "iolite" comes from the Greek word ios, meaning "violet," in reference to its characteristic color. The mineral name, Cordierite, honors French geologist Pierre Cordier. It is also sometimes misnamed "water sapphire" or "dichroite" (Greek for "two colors," referring to its pleochroism).
Description: Strongly pleochroic, showing different colors from different viewing angles.
Variety: of cordierite.
Color: It has a color range from light to dark blue and violet. Can appear colorless, gray, violet, or yellow due to the strong pleochroism.
Iolite displays colors in the violetish blue to fine blue range. Its most distinguishing feature is its strong pleochroism (trichroism), meaning it exhibits three different colors when viewed from different crystal directions. These colors typically include: * Dark blue-violet/dark violet * Lighter blue/blue-gray * Colorless to light yellow/yellow-brown
Treatments: Iolite is rarely, if ever, treated for color enhancement.
Moh’s Hardness: 7 to 7.5
Toughness: fair to good.
Location Found: Brazil; India; Kenya; Madagascar; Namibia; Norway; Sri Lanka (Ceylon); Tanzania.
Birthstone: September.
Wedding Anniversaries: 21st.
Zodiac Signs: Libra; Sagittarius; Taurus.
Chakra Associations: Third Eye.
Historical Associations: navigation; Sun; vision; intuition; inner journeying; clairvoyance; psychic abilities; clarity ; focus; concentration; overcome disorientation; overcome confusion; emotional balance; self-expression; release discord in relationships; overcome codependency; self-responsibility; attract prosperity; eliminate debt; encourage financial responsibility.
Historically Used to Treat: eyesight; vision; malaria; fevers; liver; migraines; headaches.
Care: Due to its distinct cleavage in one direction, it should be protected from sharp blows that could cause it to break. Can be damaged by heat. Avoid harsh chemicals. Attacked by acids. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaning. Warm, soapy water and a soft brush are safe to use.
Imitations: Glass.
Synthetics: No commercial synthetic iolite is currently known to be widely produced.