IOLITE

The name "iolite" comes from the Greek word for violet. Another old name is dichroite, a Greek word meaning "two-colored rock", a reference to cordierite's strong pleochroism. Gem quality iolite varies in color from sapphire blue to blue violet to yellowish gray to light blue as the light angle changes. Iolite is found in Sri Lanka, Burma, Australia's Northern Territory, Namibia, Brazil, Tanzania, Madagascar, Connecticut, and the Yellowknife area of the Northwest Territories of Canada.

It has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Moh's scale. The Iolite gemstone possesses a very important feature that is called pleochroism. This property possessed by a few other gemstones too, causes the gemstone to show different colours when viewed from different angles and sides. When viewed from one side the Iolite gemstone will show a gorgeous bluish violet colour and when viewed from the other side, appears very pale colour and almost colourless.

It is believed that the Vikings used the Iolite gemstone to help them navigate on the high seas when very far away from the coastline. Looking through the gemstone at a certain angle, the Vikings could determine the exact position of the sun and never got lost when on the high seas.

Magic:

Enables us to consider a situation from all angles. Combines science and magic, logic and imagination.

Healing:

Activates the nervous and endocrine systems

Enhances feelings of sympathy and empathy – both in us for others and in others for us.

Helps us to decide when other people do or do not need our help.

Encourages understanding and acceptance of the duality of existence.