Iolite

Iolite is a gemstone named after "ios" meaning purple and "lithos" meaning stone. It is also called "cordierite" after the geologist Cordier.

A distinctive feature of this gemstone is its strong pleochroism. Due to the arrangement of iron in the crystal, it exhibits three different colors depending on the viewing direction. It is a tanzanite purple, pale greenish yellow, colorless and transparent. This color change is caused by the direction of light absorption as it passes through the crystal.

This strong pleochroism is one of iolite's most distinctive properties. The gemstone is also known by the false name "water sapphire" due to its bright, deep blue color and seemingly colorless in some directions.

Iolite is a very mysterious gemstone, with its elegant and mature navy purple color and mysterious pleochroism.