Violet stone Iolite - color variations, features, how to wear and recognize

Iolite is one of the varieties of the colorless mineral cordierite, which has a deep blue color, for which it was not in vain called the "violet stone". The very property of the mineral to change its color at different viewing angles also made iolite mysterious and mysterious, and in ancient times it was believed that it was able to make its wearer clairvoyant.

Story

The Vikings - brave sailors from Northern Europe - using the property of cordierite to change color, determined the position of the Sun even in bad weather, due to which this stone was nicknamed the "Viking compass", and in Rus' it was called the "Varangian stone". Until now, people working on ships keep such a wonderful talisman with them.

In the 19th century, the properties of iolite were described by the French geologist Pierre Louis Antoine Cordier, for which the stone was officially nicknamed cordierite in science.

In Russia, several copies of iolite were found in 1856 by an expedition led by Koksharov in the Urals.

Etymology

In mineralogy, the term for this stone comes from the scientist Cordier who described it. In addition to a direct connection with the name, this name also contains the words "corundum" and "pleochroism".

Iolite is commonly referred to as a variety of cordierite with a deep blue color.The name "iolite" itself is derived from the Greek words "iol" ("violet") and "lithos" (stone).

Mining

Deposits of cordierite are found on all continents, but in different places the quality of the mined mineral is different.

A small amount of good saturated color of pebbles is mined in Russia (in the Urals, in Karelia, in Altai and the Kola Peninsula) and in the countries of North and South America.

In Europe, the best and largest iolites are mined in Norway, and German Bavaria and Poland supply pale and almost colorless specimens of the mineral.

Also, excellent quality iolites are mined in Asia and Africa: India, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka and Madagascar.

Features of the mineral

The external characteristics of the stone depend on the presence of magnesium, aluminum, iron, silicon and oxygen in it. Basically, iolite is an aluminosilicate of magnesium and iron. It is quite fragile, and in terms of impact strength it is far from jade.

The main feature of iolite is pronounced pleochroism.

If you turn a piece of mineral in your hand, it will turn blue-violet, then yellow.

Sometimes the gem is found interspersed with hematite or magnetite. Hematite colors the mineral in a brownish tint, and the presence of magnetite is determined by the shiny "stars" in the stone.

Stone color variations

There are many varieties of cordierite, determined by the color of the mineral. By itself, cordierite is blue, light blue, blue-gray or completely colorless.

Iolite is the better known gem-quality cordierite, valued primarily for its deep blue-violet color.

Water sapphire is a type of light bluish-blue pure iolite often used to mimic sapphire.

Lynx sapphire - a deep dark blue gem; is also often sold on the market under the name of sapphire.

Blood Iolite is a rare, purple-colored mineral.

Inkstone is a poorly cut mineral, causing it to become almost black.

Colorless cordierite - not used in jewelry, is a material for collectors.

Also, iolite of any color can have the effect of a "cat's eye", in which case it is cut cabochon.

Properties

magical

Iolite has great magical power, so it is often used in esoteric practices: it clears the mind, opens the third eye, endows the wearer with clairvoyance. The stone will help a person who seeks to touch mysticism, find a connection with the other world and strengthen intuition. Iolite also protects the owner from black magic and negative energy.

In everyday life, the gem radiates positive energy, relieves irritation and calms a person, tuning in only for the good. Iolite helps people who are desperate and almost drowned in life's problems. Thanks to iolite, you can find many new solutions to any situation. Iolite brings harmony in the house, in the family, in the team, in one's own soul.

"Varangian stone" helps to resolve family conflicts, inciting passion between lovers, preserving their relationship and protecting them from betrayal.

Iolite is a stone of creative natures and thinkers, it allows you to expand the scope of consciousness and look at the world from a completely different angle, inviting new ideas.

Healing

Iolite is a real psychotherapist who will help a person to balance his mental state.It helps to treat depression, bad habits, nervousness, insomnia, phobias, and also alleviate bouts of severe mental illness. To do this, you must always carry a product with a stone with you and carry out a special procedure: look at the stone for 15-20 minutes a day, thinking only about the good and concentrating your mind on the positive. Soon lightness, harmony and self-confidence will appear in the soul. To get rid of insomnia, you can put a piece of jewelry with a stone at the head.

This gem generally has a beneficial effect on the body, improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidneys.

"Violet stone" cleanses the body of toxins and toxic substances, strengthens nails and makes hair strong, beautiful and healthy. Also, the therapeutic effect of this mineral speeds up the metabolism, thereby helping to lose weight.

Stone and zodiac circle

Iolite is a universal stone and suits all signs of the zodiac. There are no contraindications, but still his main favorites are Taurus, Leo and Libra. Regardless of the sign of the zodiac, a person will receive the support of this stone.

How to recognize iolite

From sapphire

Iolite (most often azure or dark blue) is often counterfeited by more expensive and refined sapphire. There are several signs by which you can understand that it is iolite in front of you, and not sapphire:

• Dichroism. Using the property to change the shade, you can quickly and easily determine the iolite.
• Shine. In sapphire, it is brighter compared to the "violet stone".
• Hardness. Sapphire has a higher Mohs hardness than iolite, but only a mineralogist can determine this.

It follows from this that it is difficult to determine iolite from a photo, like any gem, therefore it is better to be personally present when buying a stone, rather than ordering it on the Internet.

From other gems

Iolite bears a resemblance to other blue gems, or even just to tinted glass. As in the case of sapphire, here you just need to look closely. The dichroism of iolite is unique, there is no other mineral that can turn from blue to yellow. You can look closely at the stone, natural iolite will most likely have small yellow spots (blotches of apatite or zircon).

Application

Iolite is most often used in jewelry production, and is also a valuable collection material.

For jewelry, transparent varieties of cordierite are used, and they are cut in such a way that pleochroism is expressed most clearly. Silver (for pale blue and almost colorless varieties), gold (dark blue iolite) are suitable as frames. Such products are in great demand, as they look very expensive and luxurious, although they are quite cheap. Iolite jewelry faked as sapphire jewelry will cost more. In general, the price of iolite depends on the blue: the thicker and richer it is, the more expensive the stone.

Some medium-quality examples are cut cabochon to convey richness of color, but in this case, special skill is required.

Cordierite is also used in aviation to create polarizing filters that help determine the position of the Sun after sunset.

Care and wearing rules

Iolite is fragile, but at the same time strong and not afraid of high temperatures. It is not difficult to care for it: it is enough to wipe the surface of the pebble with a cotton swab as it gets dirty. From the point of view of esotericism, the stone must be stored in a separate box and washed every evening with warm water so that it can radiate only positive energy.

Iolite can be worn by both men and women in the form of an ornament or a simple amulet (in its raw form). The fair sex can wear a stone in everyday settings and in the conditions of a solemn event, combining jewelry with silk, chiffon or satin fabric. It is best to wear iolite in the form of a ring, earrings, beads or necklaces. For men, the gem looks best in a massive ring or as cufflinks.

Combination with other gemstones

Different planets patronize iolite, depending on its color, so iolite companions must be determined precisely by its color.

Transparent, colorless and blue (associated with the Moon) are compatible with sapphires, amethysts and lapis lazuli.

Violet and mauve (associated with Mercury) gemstones pair best with sapphire and iridescent opal and labradorite.

Blue (associated with Jupiter) is suitable for diamonds of all colors, aquamarine and rock crystal.

Iolite is a stone that will help a person find himself and faith in the future, whatever he may be. It is not as powerful as a diamond, but it will still become a true friend and a beautiful decoration that emphasizes your individuality.