Iolite (cordierite) is a stone that can find the sun in cloudy weather

Iolite is a semi-precious mineral with a mystical purple hue.
Its shimmer and deep colors fascinate jewelry lovers. It entered the classification of gems relatively recently. However, it is still found in ancient treasuries - ancient jewelers confused the beautiful stone with amethyst or sapphire. However, not only jewelers and fashionistas are interested in the properties of iolite. The gem is also used by people who practice stone magic. Lithotherapists who treat diseases with the help of minerals also highly value this mystical crystal. Why? Let's figure it out.

Story

This blue mineral with violet tints was valued by sages, kings, and pioneers for its help in making the right decisions. Samples of iolite are found among ancient amulets and in the form of blue inserts in the eye sockets of treasure guards - snakes and idols.

In northern Europe, this gem has been known since Viking times. Scandinavian sailors did not forget to take plates of the wonderful stone on their hikes, which helped them find the way to their native shores. The fact is that if you look through such a plate at a cloudy sky, you can determine the position of the sun hidden behind the clouds. The stone was a kind of “Viking compass”.

Previously, this stone was confused with amethyst, sapphire and some other gems. Now it is already known how to distinguish iolite from them, but it is still called “water amethyst” in Madagascar, “false sapphire” in India, and “violet jade” in China.

The name iolite stone comes from the combination of two Greek words meaning violet and stone. It's surprising that this mineral has so many names. For example:

• Previously in Rus' it was called the Varangian stone.
• Jewelers call iolite water or lynx sapphire.
• Gem collectors often call it the violet stone for its vibrant purple and bluish color.
• Cordierite is what scientists usually call it. This name is given in honor of the French mining engineer Cordier.

In Russia, the violet stone was found in the Urals in 1856 during an expedition led by Academician N.I. Koksharov. However, it did not receive special attention, since brighter minerals were found there.

Decades later, it was described by Pierre Louis Antoine Cordier. Violet stone became popular in northern Europe and England. The Danish Queen Margaret and the English Princess Diana wore beautiful jewelry with it.

The largest iolite weighs 177 grams .
It is located in the British Museum in London.

Jewelry with mineral

Despite the fact that the semi-precious nugget has never been particularly valued in jewelry and does not have a bloody trail behind it, like many precious stones, translucent stones have found wide use in the manufacture of silver jewelry. Gold is rarely used to frame a nugget.

So on sale there are silver earrings with stones of amazing purple, blue shades, pendants, rings, bracelets, various types of talismans, amulets. Silver additionally imparts magical powers to the stone and the product itself. You can often find expensive jewelry where iolites are presented as sapphire crafts.

Physicochemical characteristics

Iolite is an aluminosilicate of iron and magnesium.

• Chemical formula - ( Mg, Fe)2 Al4 Si5 O18 .
• Color - blue, purple.
• The shine is greasy and glassy.
• Transparency - transparent or translucent.
• Hardness - 7–7,5.
• Density - 2.58–2.66 g /cm3 .

This stone is usually found in the form of crystals ranging from 2 to 12 cm .

Specimens with inclusions of hematite are distinguished by a brownish color, and those with inclusions of magnetite have an increased shine. The mineral may have localized yellowing due to microscopic ingrowth of zircon and apatite.

Iolite has the effect of pleochroism, that is, when the viewing angle changes, its color changes.

Moreover, some specimens are distinguished by trichroism (three colors). If you look at such a stone from different angles, you can see three different colors: violet-blue (or gray-blue), yellow-brownish and almost colorless.

This gem is not sensitive to heat and does not fade under the sun. The properties of iolite were discovered by the ancient Vikings - they noticed that the brittle mineral could easily be cut into thin plates.

Scandinavian sailors began to use the plates as the world's first polarizing filters. They looked through the crystals as if through a lens, and determined the exact position of the sun in inclement weather and even after it had set.

Interesting facts about iolite

It is believed that this gem influences the subconscious of people through dreams. Therefore, a person who sees a stone in a dream can expect quick changes in his life. It is worth noting that exclusively positive effects are associated with the mineral.

Most people with telepathic abilities are associated with iolite. This stone can not only enhance clairvoyance, but also cause dreams. Moreover, he looks for the most unusual ways to solve the problem, choosing the safest and most accurate options in a short period of time.

Place of Birth

Iolite is very fragile, so it is not easy to mine. The mineral is found deep underground in rocks that were formed as a result of squeezing and heating the rock.

Violet stone is mined in almost all parts of the world:

• Europe (Norway, Finland, Germany, Poland);
• Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar);
• America (Brazil, Canada, USA, Greenland);
• Africa (Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania);
• In Russia, Varangian stone is mined in the Urals, Altai, Kola Peninsula, and Karelia.

The largest (up to 12 cm) transparent purple specimens are found in Norway.

Varieties and colors

Differences in iolite color occur due to various inclusions:

• Even small particles of hematite give a red brownish tint;
• yellowing appears due to the presence of zircon and apatite;
• increased brilliance, similar to flashes of bright stars, occurs due to inclusions of magnetite.

Depending on the color, iolite is called differently:

• Cordierite is a classic iolite, transparent, with blue and blue shades.
• False sapphire (pseudo-sapphire) - distinguished by its bright blue color.
• Water sapphire - has a high level of purity, glass luster. Light blue, light violet or colorless mineral.
• Lynx stone is a specimen of any color (usually blue) with a yellowish stripe in the middle, shimmering with mother-of-pearl, that is, with a cat's eye effect. If the stone is blue, then it is called lynx sapphire.
• Bloody iolite is almost cherry color.
• Inkstone is poorly cut and almost black in color.

Blue iolite samples are most prized. The deeper the blue, the more expensive the stone.

How to distinguish from a fake

Given the popularity of iolite recently, they have learned how to counterfeit it. To reduce its cost, synthetic cordierite is produced.

• A properly cut stone can change color when you move your hand under rays of light.
• One of the main striking features of natural stone is the presence of dichroism, which manifests itself in changes in shades from different viewing angles. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is.
• Natural specimens have inclusions of zircon, which can be seen upon careful examination as yellowish spots.

Iolite and sapphire

It is no coincidence that some varieties of iolite are called sapphires - false, water, lynx. This mineral is indeed very similar in appearance to a first-order gemstone.

Parameters that allow you to set the type of gem:

• Luster is stronger in sapphires.
• Inclusions may be present in iolite, but not in sapphire.
• Hardness and density - iolite has less, but only a specialist can verify these parameters.
• Pleochroism is the main characteristic of iolite (the stone changes color when the viewing angle changes). Sapphire does not have this optical effect. Other stones similar to iolite do not have it either - amethyst, ametrine, kyanite, tanzanite, benitoite.

Checking iolite for authenticity

The popularity of iolite has been growing in recent years, and unscrupulous sellers have learned to counterfeit it. Cordierite is imitated using plastic or glass, or vice versa, it is passed off as more expensive precious gems. How to distinguish a mineral from analogues and fakes?

If you look at a gem from different angles, its shade will definitely be different.

• Take advantage of the unique play of light in iolite. If you put it next to real amethyst, citrine, sapphire, then the edges of these gems will sparkle with purple-blue hues.
• Amethysts are more purple with a blue tint, iolites are the opposite.
• Sapphire has a deep blue color with a slight hint of purple. In cordierite the purple impurity is much more noticeable.
• Only violet stone is able to “see” the sun behind the clouds, giving a play of light from the side where the sun’s ray, even a very diffuse one, falls on it.
• Multi-colored inclusions may be noticeable in the composition of iolite. More expensive sapphires and amethysts are always uniform.
• Even a slight movement of the hand is enough for the mineral to change its shade. This will not be observed even in more expensive precious specimens. And even more so for pieces of plastic or glass.
• Another property that is almost impossible to fake is dichromism. If two people look at iolite from different angles, its shade will be different for each. If you are alone, just look at the mineral first with one eye, then with the other.

You need to be especially careful when buying iolite not as jewelry, but as a magic or healing stone. Plastic and glass do not have magical properties at all. Sapphire, amethyst, and citrine have radically different energy and compatibility.

Application

The main area of ​​use of iolite is jewelry:

• Medium quality specimens are usually similar to jade or jadeite. Cabochons and amulets are made from them.
• Higher quality samples are cut with facets. When properly cut, such a stone retains color saturation, as well as pleochroism.

The gem is also in demand among collectors of mineralogical collections.

The navigational skills of the Vikings are not forgotten today. The navigators of modern liners keep an iolite plate on hand to find out the position of the sun if it is hidden by clouds.

Modern military aircraft are equipped with iolite filters. Pilots are trained to navigate in complete radio silence on the ground. Iolite helps them find the sun not only behind the clouds, but also beyond the horizon.

Where is the stone used?

Semi-precious iolite is shared among jewelers and collectors of mineralogical collections.

Jewelers make a full range of jewelry from the mineral:

• Iolites of medium quality become cabochons, while higher quality ones are cut into facets. Such iolite is capable of exhibiting trichroism and richness of color, but only with proper cutting. Therefore, the master must take into account the direction of the axes of the crystal lattice.
• Iolite is combined with diamonds, tourmalines, sapphires, and tanzanites.
• The material of the frame determines when and how to wear the gem. Silver items are appropriate in the office and during negotiations. Gold or platinum - at an evening reception or high-status social event.

Ring with iolite
Calm-dark iolites are suitable for men. Cufflinks or a ring will organically complement your wardrobe.

Medicinal properties

Iolite has certain healing properties. The special significance of this stone for a person is that it helps maintain mental balance and normalize the psycho-emotional state, the disappearance of nervousness and depression.

To do this, it is enough to carry out a simple procedure once a day.

Take the stone in your hands, warm it and look at it for 15–20 minutes , thinking about good things.

Jewelry with iolite will help eliminate mental imbalance:

• for women - ring, earrings, hair clip or brooch;
• for men - tie pin, cufflinks.

It is believed that this mineral eliminates bad habits.

Iolite also has other medicinal properties:

• relieves insomnia (to do this you need to put it at the head of the head);
• improves the functioning of the digestive organs;
• increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood;
• neutralizes headaches;
• improves hair condition (if you wear earrings or a tiara);
• strengthens nails (when wearing a ring).

It is useful to wash your face and drink iolite-charged water in the morning on an empty stomach. This will give you energy, as the body will be cleansed of toxins and waste. To prepare such water, you need to leave a gem in a silver frame in a container with water overnight.

Magic properties

Iolite is popular among adherents of esoteric practices:

• The crystal facilitates the process of meditation. Contemplating it will calm your nerves and help your consciousness open up.
• Iolite is an effective amulet against envy, slander, damage, and energy vampires.
• Before going to bed, you can put a pebble or a piece of jewelry with it under your pillow and “order” a dream with a hint to get out of a difficult situation.

If you constantly carry iolite with you, intuition and the ability to foresee events will gradually develop.

Communication with iolite is of particular importance for a person who has lost hope. The stone will help you find a goal in life and the strength to achieve it.

The iolite talisman is especially suitable for those whose professional activities are related to the spiritual sphere (teachers, artists, philologists).

This gem is sometimes called the stone of the muses, as its magical properties help creative individuals find inspiration.

A talisman made from iolite is also useful for people whose profession requires quick reaction or attentiveness (rescuers, sappers, police officers, air traffic controllers, surgeons, emergency doctors, precision equipment adjusters).

The main mission of the gem is to establish relationships between people:

• helps to find love and maintain it, protecting it from betrayal;
• harmonizes the family environment;
• the strong positive energy of the stone will be useful for people prone to aggression;
• iolite helps to create and maintain friendly relationships between colleagues and friends.

This mineral will help overcome the craving for uncontrolled purchases, as well as get out of the vicious circle of debt.

Talismans and amulets

The magical power of the “violet stone” has made it a favorite among sorcerers and psychics, who are more attracted by its “generosity” in the gift of foresight. Iolite also turned out to be useful for ordinary people:

• It is called the “stone of the muses” because it helps to find inspiration, which is important for people in professions such as musicians and artists, writers of all stripes, including journalists, actors, sculptors and other creative individuals.
• The stone also helps to achieve professional success for everyone who deals with information processing - teachers and scientists, historians and art critics.
• Wearing iolite guarantees clarity, accuracy and correctness of actions, which is useful for people who have no right to make mistakes due to the nature of their work - surgeons and obstetricians, airplane pilots and air traffic controllers, sappers, snipers and so on.
• Don’t forget about the title “Viking Compass”. Anyone who goes on a long journey, no matter by water or land, should take iolite with them so as not to go astray and always find their way home.
• The “violet stone” is also the guardian of marital fidelity and the “peacemaker” in family conflicts.

Iolite patronizes men with the names Alexey and Konstantin, Victor and Anton, Vsevolod and Nikita, Andrey and Sergey, Vitaly and Oleg, Valery and Mikhail, Vladimir, Vladislav and Evgeny. He also especially singles out women with the names Victoria and Angela, Svetlana and Lyudmila, Ksenia and Evgenia, Yulia and Elena, Yana, Vera and Sofia.

Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?

According to the horoscope, Iolite is most energetically compatible with Libra , Taurus and Leo . It protects representatives of these zodiac signs from any troubles.

This stone can be worn by all zodiac signs. For some of them, astrologers have identified the most suitable shades of the mineral:

• For Libra , Aquarius , and Gemini, the classic “sapphire” blue color scheme is suitable.
• Leo will gain a strong amulet if he chooses a stone with a cat's eye effect.
• For Taurus , Capricorn , and Virgo , stones of cherry-red tones are suitable.
• For Scorpio , Cancer , Pisces , a suitable attribute would be “water sapphire”, that is, light blue or light purple iolite.
• For the two “fire” signs of the zodiac, Aries and Sagittarius , it has not yet been determined which types of stone affect them more strongly.

If you don’t really like the recommended shades of a gem, you can choose specimens with a different color and check your personal compatibility with them.

Classification

The following types of iolites are distinguished by color:

• cordierite – endowed with blue and blue shades; iolite classic;
• pseudo-sapphire – a gem of bright neon color;
• water sapphire is a light, almost blue colored stone.

A specimen of any color with a stripe in the middle (cat's eye effect) is a lynx stone.

The main wealth of iolite is blue. The richer it is, the more expensive the stone.

How to wear

Raw iolite can be worn as a talisman without showing it to others.

Jewelry with gems can also be worn as amulets and talismans.

Iolite is suitable for people of any age, both women and men:

• For women , this stone gives a romantic look. It looks very beautiful on chiffon, silk, satin and similar fabrics in suitable shades.
• For men , examples of calm-dark colors are suitable. Cufflinks, a tie pin, and a ring will organically complement your wardrobe. It is useful to keep the stone in your personal car or on your desk as a symbol of harmony and happiness.

When choosing jewelry, you need to remember the compatibility of stone and metal. Esotericists claim that in a suitable frame, a gem will fully reveal both beauty and energy:

• It is useful to frame blue, pale blue, pale violet and transparent specimens with silver.
• Gold is suitable for the “Lynx Stone”.

Compatibility with other stones

To choose the right jewelry with several gems, you need to know the laws of their compatibility:

1. All stones correspond to a certain earthly element: earth, air, water and fire. Each element is responsible for its own physical and spiritual part in a person. You cannot combine opposing elements: fire and air, earth and water.
2. The element of man must necessarily be combined with the element of stone.

Back in the Middle Ages, the alchemist Nettesheim was able to connect the planets of the solar system with the elements, and then determine which stones belonged to which planet (elements).

This is interesting!

Transparent, white and blue iolites are associated with the Moon, violet and lilac with Mercury, blue with Jupiter, with an optical effect or iridescent highlights with Uranus.

How to care

In order for products with iolite to retain their beauty and magical properties for as long as possible, you must adhere to the following rules:

• When dirty, wipe the stone with a cotton swab dipped in a weak soap solution, then wipe dry.

Aggressive chemical solutions should not be used when cleaning stone.

• It is better to store the gem in a separate box so that its energy is preserved.

If the owner wears the stone every day, he needs to wash it every evening with warm running water (iolite is not afraid of high temperatures). Esotericists advise doing this because, in their opinion, this gem easily absorbs negative energy, but also easily releases it to water.

Mineral care

In order for iolite to retain its attractiveness for a long time, you need to follow a number of simple rules for caring for it:

• store in a separate box or fabric bag;
• protect from shock, falling and squeezing;
• remove before taking a bath, playing sports, applying cosmetics and perfumes;
• periodically wash the stone with soapy water and then rinse with cool water;
• Do not use brushes or chemicals for washing.

With daily contact with iolite, it is necessary to cleanse it of negative energy. To do this, in the evening the stone is left under warm running water for several minutes. To recharge, you should periodically place the gem in the sun.

Price

Iolite belongs to the medium price category jewelry stones. It is in demand in the jewelry market, as the combination of deep blue color and good cut creates the impression of an expensive gem.

The cost of jewelry varies depending on the quality of the stone and cut, as well as the material of the setting.

The price on the world market for bright blue iolite is $55–60 per carat .

Russian online stores offer to buy iolite jewelry and material for the collection:

• cordierite cabochon (19 x 11 x 3 mm) - 250 rub. ;
• ring with iolite (925 sterling silver) — RUB 6,960. ;
• cordierite beads (beads diameter - 8 mm, beads length - 48 cm) - RUB 12,200.

Stone jewelry

When choosing jewelry, pay attention to the frame. In gold and silver, the beauty and natural energy of iolite will be revealed in full force. But if you want to use cordierite only as a talisman, you can safely wear a solid stone without any setting.

Women should combine clothes made of satin, silk, and chiffon fabrics with jewelry. Your appearance will be full of grace and nobility.

Iolite is suitable for every representative of the fairer sex, regardless of age - from young girls to mature women.

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