The Physical Properties of Iolite

Iolite is a gemstone variety of cordierite. It comes in a range of varying shades of blue, purple, and gray. Its transparency ranges from transparent to translucent and has a vitreous luster. On the Mohs' scale of harness, it ranges from 7 “ 7.5.

A property called pleochroism is very pronounced in Iolite, creating various colorways when the stone is seen through multiple positions. Overall, iolite appears as indigo or violet-blue, but in varying angles, they may shift to a honey color or yellow-gray, and even to a translucent light blue.

The History of Iolite

When Leif Eriksson and the other legendary Viking explorers journeyed as far toward the Atlantic Ocean, they used what they referred to as a secret gem amulet to aid them to determine their position. It was the gem, iolite.

The Viking sailors used thin pieces of iolite as the world’s first polarizing filter. By looking through an iolite lens, they could learn the precise position of the sun and sail safely to the new world and back.

The property that made iolite so valuable to the Vikings is called pleochroism. It has an array of colors in different directions in the crystal. A cube cut from iolite will look a violet-blue almost like sapphire from one side, a honey yellow from the top, and clear as water from the other. This property led some people to call iolite the “water sapphire, a name that is now obsolete.

Iolite gem deposits are Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka (Ceylon), India, and Brazil.

The Lore of Iolite

Iolite is a gemstone known as the Vikings’ Compass due to its shifting shades of violet-blue which carries the spirit of exploration and illumination, of dreams and intuition and provides the vision to move a person physically and spiritually, from one realm to the next.

The Metaphysical Properties of Iolite

Iolite assists in the recovery of balance and prescribed for those suffering from lack of motivation, disorientation, distraction, and chronic disorganization. It drives a person to take on responsibility, provides self-assurance, and endurance in adverse situations. It is an excellent source of energy when used for the elimination of debt and the responsible management of money.

Iolite returns a sense of perspective to those who feel they are cursed and inspires anyone with a chaotic life to start to bring order in small practical ways. Iolite resonates with the energy that stimulates the astral bodies and psychic awareness. It can reveal realms beyond the waking consciousness and is fitting for astral projection and other inner vision works. It is excellent for uncovering past- and alternate-life work.

Iolite is a stone that can initiate the creative side of the mind and access thoughts and ideas beyond the ordinary. It inspires creative self-expression through writing, song, movement and other artistic endeavors.

You can use Iolite to strengthen family issues. By placing the stone in the living area, it can lessen the tension between sibling rivalries. Use Iolite if family members have high expectations of you that are considered unrealistic or unachievable.

It aids in understanding and releasing the causes of addiction, allowing for the expression of one’s true self, freed from the expectations of others. As an amulet, Iolite brings travelers safely home.