Iolite Jewelry in Bangkok

Iolite is a cool violet blue gemstone that changes color as you turn it, from blue violet to a pale honey gray and almost clear. It gives a look close to tanzanite or a soft sapphire at a far gentler price, and it is hard enough for everyday jewelry. Its name comes from the Greek word for violet. We set natural iolite in 925 sterling silver and solid gold at our studio on Sukhumvit 71, Bangkok.

This page covers what iolite is, why it changes color, the Viking compass story, how it compares with other blue and violet gems, how to wear and care for it, what makes a good stone, how to see the stones at our shop, and how to order in Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand.

What iolite is

Iolite is the gem variety of cordierite, a magnesium aluminum silicate that usually contains some iron. The iron is what gives it its violet blue color. You may also see it called dichroite, an old name that refers to its changing color, or “water sapphire”, an old trade name. It is not a sapphire, and it is a different mineral from tanzanite.

Iolite is 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, harder than quartz, so it holds its polish well in daily wear. Iolite is normally not treated. Every stone we set is natural, iolite included, and if a stone has had any treatment we tell you before you order.

Iolite facts at a glance

• Color: violet blue to blue violet, with pale gray and yellowish tones from other angles
• Hardness: 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale
• Treatment: normally untreated
• Best for: pendants, earrings, rings and bracelets
• Care: warm soapy water and a soft brush; avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam
• Price: depends on the quality and carat you choose; we quote before you order

Why iolite changes color

Iolite has some of the strongest pleochroism of any gemstone. Pleochroism means a crystal shows different colors when you look through it in different directions. In iolite, one direction is a rich violet blue, another is a lighter blue gray, and the third is a pale yellowish or almost colorless tone.

That makes cutting iolite a skilled job. The cutter must orient the stone so the violet blue direction faces up, otherwise the stone looks washed out. In a finished piece you still see the effect as it moves: a blue stone that turns lighter and grayer from the side. Many people find that changing look is the best part of iolite.

There is also a well known story that Viking sailors used thin pieces of iolite as a kind of compass. The idea is that, looking at the sky through the crystal and turning it, they could find the position of the sun on a cloudy day and steer by it. It is a lovely story and it fits how iolite works with polarized light, but there is no firm historical proof that Vikings used iolite this way. We like to share it as a legend.

Iolite and other blue and violet gems

Tanzanite has a similar violet blue and also shifts color. It is softer at 6 to 7, rarer, and costs much more. Iolite is often chosen by people who love the tanzanite look but want a tougher and more affordable stone.

Blue sapphire is harder at 9 and much more expensive. Its blue is purer and more even from every angle.

Amethyst is purple quartz, 7 on the Mohs scale. It is more purple than blue, while iolite sits right between blue and violet.

Blue topaz is a bright, clear blue at 8 on the Mohs scale, with no violet and no change of color as you turn it.

How to wear and care for iolite

At 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, iolite stands up well to normal wear. It suits pendants, earrings and bracelets, and it makes a good ring as long as you treat it kindly. Iolite has a distinct cleavage in one direction, so a hard knock can chip it. For a ring you wear every day, a setting that protects the edges is a good idea, and as with any jewelry, take it off for the gym and heavy work.

Clean it in warm soapy water with a soft brush, then rinse and dry. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam and sudden changes of temperature. Store it apart from harder stones so it does not get scratched. If it ever needs a polish or a check of the setting, bring it to our shop. Maintenance is free on jewelry we made.

What makes a good iolite

Color comes first. The most valued stones are a deep, even violet blue when you look straight down at them, with no gray or brown. Lighter, lavender blue stones are pretty and cost less.

Clarity matters. Good iolite should look clean to the eye. Some stones contain tiny reddish platelets that can give a slight sparkle; this is natural, but most buyers prefer a clean stone.

Cut is critical because of the strong pleochroism. A well oriented cut shows the best violet blue face up. A poorly oriented stone can look grayish even when the rough was good.

Size plays a part. Iolite is most often seen in small and medium sizes. Larger stones that stay clean and keep a rich color are less common, and the price rises with them.

Where iolite comes from

Gem iolite comes mainly from India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar, Brazil and Tanzania, with smaller amounts from other countries. Iolite is widely cut and traded, and good stones from these sources come through the Bangkok gem trade. If you want to know the origin of a particular stone, ask us: we offer certified stones, and an uncertified stone can be sent to a gem lab for a report at extra cost.

See iolite at our shop in Bangkok

Face up a good iolite is violet blue, but tip it sideways and it fades toward blue gray and an almost clear honey tone, a change you need to watch happen. Book with iolite in mind and Yaron will gather more stones for you in lighter and deeper shades and in several sizes.

Walk in any time we are open, or book ahead so Yaron is there to help with the stone, the design and the metal, from 925 silver and gold plating to solid 9K, 14K or 18K gold.

Iolite offers a tanzanite look in a tougher stone, so just the loose gem is a simple way to start. No jewelry has to be made, though we would be very happy to make a piece for you.

Not in Bangkok? Message us and we will send photos and prices of the iolite we have.

Iolite questions we get

Is your iolite natural?

Yes. Every gemstone we set is natural, iolite included, and iolite is normally not treated. If a stone has had any treatment, we tell you before you order. We are a member of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association.

Is iolite the same as tanzanite?

No. Iolite is cordierite and tanzanite is zoisite, two different minerals. They can look similar, but iolite is harder and costs much less, while fine tanzanite has a richer color.

Why does my iolite look different from the side?

Iolite shows different colors in different directions. From the top it is violet blue, and from the side it can look lighter, grayer or almost clear. This is natural and is one of the things that makes iolite special.

Did the Vikings really use iolite as a compass?

It is a popular story. Iolite does change color with polarized light, so in theory it could help find the sun on a cloudy day. There is no firm historical proof, so we share it as a legend.

How much does iolite jewelry cost?

It depends on the quality and carat of the stone you choose, and on the metal. We give you the price before anything is made.

Can I buy just the stone?

Yes. Iolite can be bought loose, as just the stone, with no setting needed. If you want it in a pendant, earrings, a bracelet or a ring, now or later, we are happy to set it.

How long does an iolite piece take?

7 to 10 working days from your order, because the stones are already here in our shop, then 1 to 3 working days for delivery inside Thailand. We also ship abroad by FedEx.

Every iolite piece is made to order by our team in Bangkok in 925 sterling silver or solid gold, with a 3-year warranty, free maintenance and free shipping across Thailand.