39 designs

Iolite Gemstones

Iolite is strongly pleochroic — violet-blue from one direction, near-colourless or yellowish from another — which is why Viking navigators are said to have used thin slices of it to locate the sun through cloud.

At 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale it is wearable, though its cleavage rewards a protective setting. We buy loose so you can choose the stone first and the setting second — see our diamond and gemstone guide for how colour, cut and clarity are judged outside the diamond scale, or which gemstones survive everyday wear if it is going to be worn daily. All our stones carry independent laboratory certification and transparent pricing, and our London team will talk you through any of them with no obligation.