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Iolite
Iolite is the gem variety of the mineral cordierite. In gem quality, the blue of iolite approaches the colour of sapphire; however, it also typically contains at least two other distinct colours. A cube cut from a large crystal of iolite will look violet blue, similar to the blue of sapphires from one side, clear from the other side and a warm, amber yellow from the top. This colour-range phenomenon is known as pleochroism and can be observed in several other gemstones. View all iolite jewellery at Astley Clarke.
Iolite is sometimes inaccurately but descriptively known as water sapphire.
Its name comes from the Greek word iodes, meaning violet.
It can be found in, among other places, Ceylon, Burma, Madagascar, India, Canada and California.
The extreme and unusual pleochroism in iolite made it the world’s first polarizing filter. When Leif Eriksson and the other legendary Viking explorers ventured out onto the Atlantic Ocean, far from anything that would allow them to determine their position, they used thin pieces of iolite as a polarizing filter to help them determine the exact position of the sun. Using this tool, they were able to navigate their way safely to the New World and back again.
Click here to view Contemporary Designer Jewellery at Astley Clarke
Iolite is sometimes inaccurately but descriptively known as water sapphire.
Its name comes from the Greek word iodes, meaning violet.
It can be found in, among other places, Ceylon, Burma, Madagascar, India, Canada and California.
The extreme and unusual pleochroism in iolite made it the world’s first polarizing filter. When Leif Eriksson and the other legendary Viking explorers ventured out onto the Atlantic Ocean, far from anything that would allow them to determine their position, they used thin pieces of iolite as a polarizing filter to help them determine the exact position of the sun. Using this tool, they were able to navigate their way safely to the New World and back again.
Click here to view Contemporary Designer Jewellery at Astley Clarke
