name is derived from 'ios,' the Greek word for
violet. Because of Its soft, almost liquid color it is
often mistaken for sapphire.
It is the suggested anniversary gemstone for the
twenty-first year of marriage.
lolite is pleochroic, which means that it transmits
light differently in different directions of the
crystal. The Vikings made iolite's pleochroism a
virtue by using thin slices of it as a light polarizer.
(it will do exactly what a camera's polaroid filter
will do: cancel out haze, mist and clouds to make
things appear clearer.) By observing the sky
through iolfte, Viking navigators were able to
locate the exact position of the sun on overcast
days. Where did they get their iolite? It's even
been found in Viking territories such as
Greenland and Norway!
lolite is primarily found, however, in East Africa
and India.
To maintain the brilliance of this gemstone, it
should be immersed in a jewelry cleaner or in
lukewarm soapy water and cleaned with a small
bristle brush. Do not use a home ultrasonic
machine. As with all gemstones, care should be
taken to protect ft from scratches and sharp
blows.