The name Iolite comes from the Greek ios, which means violet. It is also sometimes called "water sapphire" because it is found in water deposits and commonly mistaken for top-grade blue sapphires.
Iolite is also known as Cordierite, named after P. Cordier, a French geologist. Iolite (Cordierite) is found in Brazil, Burma, Finland, Germany, India, Madagascar, Norway,Sri Lanka, and the U.S.A.
Another amazing attributes of iolite is its extreme pleochroism, or the ability to change colors depending from which angle you look at it. Perhaps it is this quality that gave rise to yet another name, dichroite, for this amazing gemstone.
Iolite is also commonly known as "Vikings' compass," as it could determine the direction of the sun on overcast days. When the legendary Viking mariners sailed the ocean, they looked through thin iolite lenses, which worked as a filter, to determine the exact position of the sun and navigate safely.
Iolite, called the "violet stone" is one of the major stones for use in the third-eye/crown chakra during healings and can aid in the opening and expanding of psychic talents
Iolite is considered powerful "Medicine" and is worn as a ring by Shamans to aid in healings and provide accuracy of visions.
(Astrological Signs of Libra, Saggitarius, & Taurus)
Vibrates to the number 7
Iolite is said to help one attain a physical constitution that defies physical disorders. It has been used to to both protect and improve degraded liver conditions and aid the body in the ridding of toxins and fever-producing disorders.
