Iolite is derived from the Greek derivative “ion” meaning “violet”. The color of this stone is purplish blue. The more the concentration of this shade, the higher is the value of this gemstone.

Ilolite occurs in the regions like India, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Brazil. This gemstone was the “stone of the Vikings” since Vikings revealed the deposits of this precious stone in the primitive locations of Green land and Norway.

The Viking sailors used petite pieces of Iolite as a compass needle to find their directions. Iolite acted as a polarizing filter and assisted them to position the precise location of the sun even on cloudy days.

Iolite has an attractive and unique violet blue color. It is comparable to a light blue sapphire. It is also known as “water sapphire”. This gem available at an affordable price.

Iolite exists in shades of yellowish gray through blue to a blue violet. It measures 7 to 7.5 on Moh’s scale of hardness.