Iolite Gemstone Beads
Iolite is a gem-quality form of the mineral cordierite. It exhibits a fascinating property known as pleochroism, meaning it can show different colors when viewed from different angles. This gemstone primarily displays shades of deep blue and violet, but it can also reveal a clear, light blue or yellow-gray from different perspectives. Iolite's hardness on the Mohs scale is a 7 to 7.5, making it suitable for various types of jewelry.
Facts: Historically, Iolite has been greatly valued by the Vikings, who used it as a polarizing filter to help them navigate during their ocean voyages. This was long before the compass was introduced to the Western world. They referred to it as Viking's Compass. By determining the direction of the sun on overcast days, this gem was crucial in the Vikings' navigation across the seas. Its name is derived from the Greek word 'ios', meaning 'violet', and it has a rich history entwined with exploration and discovery.
Metaphysical / Holistic: Iolite is believed to stimulate vision and insight. It is said to enhance intuition and help one navigate the journey of life more smoothly.
Bloody Iolite 2.5mm Banded Table Cut Cube Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$20.00
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$20.00
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$20.00
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$20.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$20.00
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$20.00
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$20.00
Bloody Iolite 3x4mm Rondelle Faceted - 15-16 Inch
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$20.00
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$20.00
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$20.00
$20.00
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$20.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$20.00
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$20.00
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$20.00
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$20.00
Iolite 2x4mm Thin Rondelle Faceted AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$40.00
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$40.00
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$40.00
$40.00
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$40.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$40.00
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$40.00
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$40.00
$40.00
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$40.00
Iolite 5x8mm Rondelle Faceted - 15-16 Inch
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$48.00
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$48.00
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$48.00
$48.00
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$48.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$48.00
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$48.00
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$48.00
$48.00
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$48.00
Iolite 4x6mm Faceted Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
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$36.00
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$36.00
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$36.00
$36.00
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$36.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$36.00
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$36.00
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$36.00
$36.00
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$36.00
Iolite 6mm Round Faceted - Large Hole Beads
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$24.00
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$24.00
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$24.00
$24.00
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$24.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$24.00
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$24.00
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$24.00
$24.00
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$24.00
Iolite 8mm Round - Large Hole Beads
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$28.00
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$28.00
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$28.00
$28.00
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$28.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$28.00
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$28.00
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$28.00
$28.00
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$28.00
Iolite 6x8mm Triangle Cut Faceted Rice Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$37.00
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$37.00
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$37.00
$37.00
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$37.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$37.00
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$37.00
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$37.00
$37.00
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$37.00
Iolite with Flash 6mm Round - 15-16 Inch
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$27.00
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$27.00
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$27.00
$27.00
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$27.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$27.00
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$27.00
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$27.00
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$27.00
Iolite 6mm Double Heart Faceted - 15-16 Inch
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$27.00
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$27.00
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$27.00
$27.00
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$27.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$27.00
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$27.00
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$27.00
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$27.00
Iolite 8mm Double Heart Faceted - 15-16 Inch
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$34.00
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$34.00
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$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$34.00
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$34.00
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$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Iolite 8mm Coin Faceted - 15-16 Inch
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$34.00
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$34.00
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$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$34.00
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$34.00
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$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Iolite 8mm Bicone Faceted - 15-16 Inch
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$36.00
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$36.00
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$36.00
$36.00
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$36.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$36.00
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$36.00
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$36.00
$36.00
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$36.00
Iolite 7mm Cube Table Cut Bead - 15-16 Inch - CLEARANCE
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$50.00
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$50.00
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$50.00
$50.00
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$50.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$50.00
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$50.00
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$50.00
Iolite 2mm Cube Table Cut AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$18.00
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$18.00
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$18.00
$18.00
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$18.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$18.00
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$18.00
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$18.00
$18.00
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$18.00
Iolite 3x4mm Rondelle Faceted A Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$23.00
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$23.00
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$23.00
$23.00
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$23.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$23.00
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$23.00
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$23.00
$23.00
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$23.00
Iolite 6mm Round Faceted A Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$26.00
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$26.00
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$26.00
$26.00
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$26.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$26.00
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$26.00
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$26.00
$26.00
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$26.00
Iolite 4mm Microfaceted Round A Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$22.00
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$22.00
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$22.00
$22.00
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$22.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$22.00
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$22.00
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$22.00
$22.00
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$22.00
Iolite 6mm Energy Prism - 15-16 Inch
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$32.00
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$32.00
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$32.00
$32.00
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$32.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$32.00
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$32.00
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$32.00
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$32.00
Iolite Faceted 10mm Energy Prism - 15-16 Inch
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$36.00
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$36.00
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$36.00
$36.00
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$36.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$36.00
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$36.00
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$36.00
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$36.00
Iolite 6mm Faceted Coin 15-16 Inch
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$28.00
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$28.00
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$28.00
$28.00
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$28.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue-gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it can a...
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$28.00
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$28.00
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$28.00
$28.00
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$28.00
Iolite 4mm Faceted Coin 15-16 Inch
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$25.00
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$25.00
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$25.00
$25.00
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$25.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue-gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it can a...
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$25.00
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$25.00
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$25.00
$25.00
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$25.00
Iolite 10mm Faceted Round - 15-16 Inch - CLEARANCE
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$30.00
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$30.00
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$30.00
$30.00
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$30.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$30.00
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$30.00
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$30.00
$30.00
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$30.00
Iolite Faceted 4mm Round - 15-16 Inch
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$19.00
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$19.00
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$19.00
$19.00
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$19.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$19.00
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$19.00
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$19.00
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$19.00
Iolite 6mm Tear Drop Faceted - 15-16 Inch
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$29.00
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$29.00
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$29.00
$29.00
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$29.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$29.00
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$29.00
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$29.00
$29.00
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$29.00
Iolite Natural 5X7mm Drop - 8 Inch
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$28.00
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$28.00
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$28.00
$28.00
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$28.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$28.00
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$28.00
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$28.00
$28.00
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$28.00
Iolite 7x8mm Faceted Round Nugget - 15-16 Inch
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$32.00
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$32.00
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$32.00
$32.00
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$32.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$32.00
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$32.00
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$32.00
$32.00
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$32.00
Iolite 10mm Round A Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$45.00
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$45.00
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$45.00
$45.00
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$45.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
View full details
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$45.00
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$45.00
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$45.00
$45.00
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$45.00
Iolite 4mm Round A Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$18.00
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$18.00
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$18.00
$18.00
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$18.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$18.00
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$18.00
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$18.00
$18.00
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$18.00
Iolite 6mm Round A Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$22.00
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$22.00
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$22.00
$22.00
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$22.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$22.00
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$22.00
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$22.00
$22.00
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$22.00
Iolite 8mm Round A Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$31.00
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$31.00
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$31.00
$31.00
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$31.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$31.00
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$31.00
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$31.00
$31.00
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$31.00
Iolite 12mm Faceted Heart - 15-16 Inch
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$43.00
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$43.00
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$43.00
$43.00
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$43.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$43.00
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$43.00
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$43.00
$43.00
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$43.00
Iolite 7-8mm Faceted Cube - 8 Inch
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$21.00
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$21.00
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$21.00
$21.00
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$21.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$21.00
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$21.00
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$21.00
$21.00
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$21.00
Iolite 6-12mm Faceted Irregular Rectangle - 8 Inch
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$21.00
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$21.00
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$21.00
$21.00
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$21.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
View full details
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$21.00
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$21.00
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$21.00
$21.00
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$21.00
Iolite 7-10mm Heart - 8 Inch
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$23.00
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$23.00
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$23.00
$23.00
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$23.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
View full details
Original price
$23.00
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Original price
$23.00
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$23.00
$23.00
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$23.00
Iolite 4-7mm Faceted Rondelle - 18 Inch
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$56.00
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$56.00
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$56.00
$56.00
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$56.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
View full details
Original price
$56.00
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Original price
$56.00
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$56.00
$56.00
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$56.00
About this stone
Color
BlueVioletIndigoGray
Origin
TanzaniaIndiaSri LankaBrazilMadagascar
Mohs hardness
7–7.5
Treatment categories
Natural
Industry-standard treatment
Natural — iolite is rarely treated
Mineral chemistry
Magnesium iron aluminum cyclosilicate (cordierite)
Crystal system
Orthorhombic
Stone family
Cordierite
Common cuts
Faceted RoundFaceted RondelleMicrofaceted Round
Common sizes
2mm3mm4mm6mm
Care notes
Durable (Mohs 7–7.5). Mild soap and soft cloth; ultrasonic generally safe.
Related stones
Tanzanite, Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli
Frequently asked questions
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What is iolite?
Iolite is the gem variety of cordierite, a magnesium-iron-aluminum silicate that crystallizes in the orthorhombic system. The trade name comes from the Greek *ios* (violet), reflecting the stone's characteristic blue-violet color register. Iolite is Mohs 7–7.5, sourced from India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania, Brazil, and several other deposits. Origin specifics, when known, should be disclosed. -
What is pleochroism in iolite?
Iolite shows strong three-axis pleochroism — the stone absorbs light differently along its three crystallographic axes, so it appears a different color from each viewing direction. Along one axis you see saturated blue-violet; along another, a pale yellow or honey tone; along the third, near-colorless. Cutters orient the rough to present the blue-violet axis on the face of the cut stone, which is why a faceted iolite bead looks deeply colored from the top and shows paler flashes as it rotates. It is the same optical property that gives iolite its historical "water sapphire" nickname and the lore around Viking navigation. -
Is iolite dyed or heat-treated?
No — iolite is one of the cleaner stones in the trade. The blue-violet color is intrinsic to the mineral's pleochroic absorption, not pigment, and heat treatment is uncommon because the stone doesn't respond strongly to the protocols used on sapphire or tanzanite. Treatment status, when relevant — ask before buying if a strand doesn't specify. -
How is iolite different from sapphire and tanzanite?
All three are blue gem-grade stones, but they're mineralogically unrelated. Sapphire is corundum (aluminum oxide), Mohs 9, with very limited pleochroism. Tanzanite is the blue-violet variety of zoisite, Mohs 6.5–7, with strong pleochroism similar to iolite but a different chemistry and a much higher price point. Iolite is cordierite, Mohs 7–7.5, with the strongest three-axis pleochroism of the three. Older lapidary literature calls iolite "water sapphire" for the visual resemblance at lower cost — the name is a comparison, not a synonym. -
How durable is iolite for daily wear?
Mohs 7–7.5 — durable enough for any jewelry application, including rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Standard care: soft cloth with mild soap, no special handling required. Iolite has distinct cleavage in one direction, which matters more to the cutter than to the wearer — finished beads are uncomplicated for ordinary wear.