Iolite is a bluish purple gemstone, which is growing in popularity. It's a fantastic example of a pleochroic gemstone, which means it shows different colours at different angles, with blue and yellow both being visible.
It's believed that Vikings used iolite as a polarising filter to help them find the sun on cloudy days, thus acting as a navigational aid.
This beautiful gemstone can sometimes be confused with tanzanite and blue sapphires.
Although relatively hard-wearing, iolite can sometimes be brittle so some extra care is needed with this gem. Avoid detergents and hard knocks and clean with a mild soap solution and a soft brush (we use an electric toothbrush). With some extra TLC, your iolite jewellery can be worn and enjoyed for generations.