Specimen #2422

Name: Iolite

Type: Gem

Locality: Tanzania

Favorite? N

Fluorescent? N

Size: 6.98 mm

Weight: 1.40 ct

Acquired: 2012-03-29

Source: Arkenstone Auction

Label: N

Comment: Iolite translated from Greek literally means "violet stone". These gems are sometimes known as "water Sapphire" in various corners of the gem world, but it is truly gem grade Cordierite. Iolite is strongly pleochroic and shows a strong blue color one direction, a violet color another direction, and a yellowish color in the third direction. This gem is from the Tanzania, where some of the nicest Iolites are being mined these days. The stone is VS clarity with a "Round Cabochon" cut. The stone shows a slight color change when rotated on its different axis. A nice representative stone for the material.

Minerals: Iolite

There is one picture on file

M02422-01.jpg:

Iolite, Tanzania - FOV: 7.1 x 10.7 mm - 1.40 cts