This round blue iolite cabochon offers a budget-friendly alternative to blue sapphire or tanzanite and presents an intriguing color shift. The natural color and relative durability make it an appealing option for all types of jewelry designs. Iolite is the gem name for cordierite, a silicate of aluminum and magnesium. Its name comes from the Greek word “ios,” meaning violet. Similar to tanzanite in color, but more affordable, this gemstone gets its color primarily from iron. Most iolite is found in gravel beds in the form of water-worn pebbles. Due to pleochroism or dichroism phenomena, iolite displays different colors when viewed from different angles. Iolite can appear almost clear in one orientation, then present a deep purple color in another orientation. Because iolite typically has very few inclusions, it is ideal for faceting and displays clear, bright color.
