PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
South African Iolite: The Viking’s Compass
Iolite, also called Water Sapphire or Cordierite, is a rare, collectible gem polished by South Africa’s top lapidaries, with only a few kilograms available. Its striking dark blue hue, nearly black in low light, features vibrant blue streaks in recent Northern Cape finds, resembling labradorite. Known for its pleochroism, displaying colors like blue-violet, grey, or light blue under transmitted light, it earned the name "Dichroite" (two-colored rock). Historically used by Vikings for navigation, Iolite’s beauty and rarity make it a prized gem.
PRODUCT MINERALS
Cordierite, Magnesium Iron Aluminum Cyclosilicate
PRODUCT FEATURES
Orthorhombic, Pleochroism
PRODUCT COLOUR
Blue, Black
MOHS HARDNESS SCALE
7 to 7.5
PRODUCT DATA
Locality = Northern Cape, South Africa
Grade = Very Good to A Grade
Size = 182 - 186 mm
SKU = 169-654-250904LB
PLEASE NOTE: The product title specifies the exact number of individual pieces included in your purchase (eg. x12, x1, x35 etc). “We have 1 in stock” means we have 1(one) complete batch (as per quantity stated in the product title) or 1 (one) unique product available as appropriate. Prices are grade dependent and all items are sold as shown in the product images.
All prices exclude SA VAT. International export clients will not be charged VAT by us, but you may be charged import VAT by customs in your country.