Iolite with Flash 10mm Round - 15-16 Inch - CLEARANCE Gem Silica It is highly prized for

It is highly prized for its beautiful combinations of colors and for its opalescence — the pearly luster of the opaque stone

and this phenomenon is thought to be due to impurities of yttrium or organic matter within the crystal lattice

The colors

Its color is due to the presence of Manganese and Iron in the stone

By soaking the stone in a non-toxic chemical solution

Iolite with Flash 10mm Round - 15-16 Inch - CLEARANCE Gem Silica It is highly prized forIolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called pleochroism, which means that it can appear to be different colors as it shifts in the light. According to Norse legend, Viking explorers used thin pieces of Iolite as the worlds first polarizing lens to help them determine the exact location of the sun for navigation.