Iolite
Physical Information
Iolite is the gem variety of the mineral cordierite. Its most special feature is strong pleochroism: when you turn the stone, its colour changes from violet-blue to light blue and almost clear or honey-grey. Its name comes from the Greek word ios, meaning violet.
Iolite is found in India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Brazil and Tanzania. With a hardness of 7–7.5 it is suitable for everyday jewellery. According to legend, Viking sailors used thin slices of iolite as a light filter to find the position of the sun on cloudy days – which is why it is often called the “Viking compass”.
Metaphysical Properties
Iolite is known as a stone of vision and direction. It is believed to strengthen intuition, help you see your path more clearly and support you when you need to make decisions or find a new direction in life.
It is associated with the third-eye chakra and is often used in meditation, dream work and for creative inspiration.
