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| <<Back to Main | AmetrineAmetrine | SpodumeneSpodumene | FeldsparFeldspar | Artistic CabochonsArtistic Cabochons | AgateAgate | AmethystAmethyst | AmmoliteAmmolite | ApatiteApatite | AquamarineAquamarine | BerylBeryl | Cat's Eye GemstonesCat's Eye Gemstones | ChalcedonyChalcedony | ChrysoberylChrysoberyl | CitrineCitrine | DanburiteDanburite | DiopsideDiopside | Emerald, the green variety of berylEmerald, the green variety of beryl | FluoriteFluorite | GarnetGarnet | Gemstone CollectionsGemstone Collections | KunziteKunzite | Lapis LazuliLapis Lazuli | MoonstoneMoonstone | OpalOpal | PeridotPeridot | QuartzQuartz | Rare GemstonesRare Gemstones | RubyRuby | SapphireSapphire | ScapoliteScapolite | SphaleriteSphalerite | SpinelSpinel | TopazTopaz | TourmalineTourmaline | TurquoiseTurquoise | Other Colored StonesOther Colored Stones | ZirconZircon | | Our Top Iolite Highlight | Iolite | | | The word iolite was derived from the Greek "ios" meaning violet and "lithos" meaning stone.
Cordierite was named after the Frech geogist who studied the stone, Mr Cordier.
Iolite is actually a very attractive gem. It refractive index is in the 1.5 to 1.60 range. The pleasant color and strong pleochroism makes up for its lower luster. Clean stones of over 10 carat sizes are rare. Deep purple colors maybe found in Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Cat's eye variety has also been reported.
The chemical formula is (Mg,Fe)2 Al4Si5O18
Hardness is 7 - 7.5
Luster is vitreous.
Density is 2.53 to 2.61.
Cleavage is one direction. Fracture is conchoidal. Brittle.
Pleochroisn is distinct and instense.
Sources include Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Madgascar, USA, Brazil,India, Tanzania, Namibia
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