Mineralogical characteristics
Iolite is the name given to transparent blue cordierite of gem quality. It is also called water sapphire because of its bluish color. Iolite is pleochroic; when observed from different angles, it shows different colors, between blue, violet, lilac and grey. Its name comes from the Greek "ios", meaning "violet color". The crystals are prismatic. It appears in contact metamorphic rocks, in gneiss and in sedimentary rocks.
It is said that iolite was a stone used by Vikings in navigation. Cut in the form of a lens, it helped them know the position of the Sun on cloudy days.
Deposits
India, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, United States and Madagascar.
Therapeutic properties
Iolite is considered a stone of vision. It is associated with the 6th chakra, also called the third eye, activating intuition and encouraging understanding. Iolite enhances introspection and connection with inner knowledge. On a healing level, it is said to help heal addictions and codependency. It strengthens the body and supports detoxification.