The name iolite comes from the stones beautiful violet color. It is also known as water sapphire, cor-dierite, and dichroite. Metaphysically, it works with the 6th chakra for inner vision, shamanic journeying, healing of old wounds, and soul retrieval. The gems in these earrings are from Babati, Tanzania. Although iolite is also found in Brasil, Madagascar, India, Burma, and Sri Lanka.
These rich, 2.4 ct blue violet gems are untreated and eye clean with an excellent master step cut. The master cutter must make special consideration of iolite’s one direction cleavage to maintain a refractive index of 1.522 to 1.578.
Iolite is gaining in popularity and driving up the market price so you´ll want to get these bargain priced earrings quickly as an investment. Gems worth $150-$200 ten years ago are now $250-$375 on today´s market. Iolite retails for $50-$260 per carat. Blue violet iolite commands the highest price. We could easily get $400-$500 for these earrings.
These transparent gems are not heat sensitive and there are no known treatments to alter its color or appearance. UV safe. The brilliant color will never fade. The saturation of these gems rivals AAA tanzanite.
Iolite is the gem variety of the mineral Cordierite. It has recently become a popular gemstone. Iolite is noted for creating a stronger constitution, ridding the body of fatty deposits, diminishing the effect of alcohol, supporting detoxification and liver regeneration, killing bateria, treating malaria and fevers, and aiding the pituitary, sinuses and respiratory system. Deeper colored stones are more valuable.