A blue violet iolite faceted from material mined in madagascar. Because of its beautiful violet blue color which is often compared to the light blue sapphire the iolite is sometimes called a water sapphire. Strongly pleochroic iolite has been incorrectly called water sapphire as it can display a blue to violet hue in one direction and pale yellow to colorless in another. Its name is derived from the greek word ios which means violet and pertains to the gemstone s violet color. Iolite s name comes from the greek ios meaning violet and is the gem version of the mineral cordierite.
This stone was also known as cordierite after the french geologist louis cordier who discovered it in 1813. The iolite also called cordierite and obsolete dichroit is a common mineral from the mineral class of silicates. It was named after the french mineralogist p l a. A nice iolite like this one could easily serve as an alternative gem for sapphire or tanzanite at a much lower price. Whether or not the tales are true iolite mineralogists call it cordierite can be fashioned into beautiful gems.
However there are some iolite stones that are lavender clear blue or deep blue in color. This specimen is approximately 9 4 x 7 1 x 4 8 millimeters in size and weighs about 1 83 carats. Overall iolite appears as violet blue or indigo but in different positions may shift to a yellow gray or honey color and even to a clear light blue. Iolite uses and purposes overview. However there are some iolite stones that are lavender clear blue or deep blue in color.
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Iolite uses and purposes overview. This stone was also known as cordierite after the french geologist louis cordier who discovered it in 1813. A blue violet iolite faceted from material mined in madagascar.
