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About Iolite

As gemstone wholesalers we at www.gemrockauctions.com offer a wide range of Gemstones, loose gemstones and other high quality products, Including Iolite

which at its best is a rich violet-blue coloured stone. The word Iolite or originated from the Greek word “ios”, or violet.

Iolite may be resembled for the better-known stones such as tanzanite or sapphire, however this is a more affordable gem complemented with the rich blues that are prevalent to the more expensive stones. Iolite is the 21st anniversary gemstone.

Iolite is a pleochroic, meaning a single stone will show many colours (in the case of Iolite, violet-blue, light blue and yellow-grey), this led people to describe iolite as “water sapphire”. They say legendary Viking explorers ventured far into the Antlantic, away from the coastline that could help them determine position.

They relied on Iolite (thin pieces of iolite were used as a polarizing filter) by looking through an iolite lens, they were able to determine the precise position of the sun, and navigate safely to the new world and back.

Iolite is mined in India, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Brazil. Its Chemical Composition is Complex Mg-Al (magnesium aluminium) silicate and it’s Mohs Hardness of 7 to 7.5. For any investors, collectors or lovers of this gem, it is recommended to have a gemological identification certificate for authenticity. It is an independent report from an approved gemology laboratory, issued by an independent gemologist.