Meaning: Iolite(Indian: Kakaneeli; Italian: Iolite) is a blue to purplish-blue color, transparent to opaque stone which shows a strong trichroism (pleochroism) of pale blue, dark violet-blue and pale yellow. This pale yellow pleochroism is seen along the optic axis direction. Optic axis direction is a direction within a D.R. stone where the stone acts like a S.R.
If a blue stone is rotated in different direction and shows shades of its body color with a light shade of yellow color then it can be confirmed as an iolite. This pleochroism feature is not always conclusive evidence to confirm the stone as an iolite because sometimes iron staining in iolite can be the cause for this yellow shade.
A wise lapidary generally keeps the optic axis direction (yellow shade) of iolite either at the girdle or at the culet (in facetted cut stones); so that it can not easily be seen by traders and can be sold as simulant for other stones (e.g. blue sapphire, tanzanite, etc.). Another main fact for keeping yellow shade of iolite either at girdle or at culet is to increase its value in terms of price. The better the dark blue / violet shade on the table facet of iolite, the better the price. An iolite having good clarity, color, cut and size but with yellow / brown shade appearing on the table facet will reduce its price.
Did you know?
Jewellery is one of the most bought products online. An estimated $1 billion USD of diamonds are bought annually via the Internet. Over 40 million people use the Internet to trade!
In Germany, the garland of ambers is hung around the necks of the infants, so that their teeth might come out without much trouble.
In Turkey, people fix a piece of amber in the hubble-bubble, dogged by an age old belief that the presence of the jewel would destroy all the germs and no disease would spread, even after many have dragged their puffs from it.
In Greece, people think if wine is poured into the cups made of amethyst, one does not get drunk after drinking that.
In Rome, a talisman having coral pieces is considered very auspicious to quell the bad spells of evil look. The Romans were in the habit of hanging chains made of ancient coral pieces from the cradle of the infants to protect them from evil effects.
In China, people wear rings studded with tiny conch or oyster shells as they believe it cures all aches such as stomach ache, worms and like.
In India, pendants made of silver and studded with pearls are hung from the necks of the children to save them from any bad effects.
Greeks still believe, if women wear blue sapphires then no sense of immorality would pollute their mind nor can any fear of the supernatural can trouble them.
The Pope Innocent III had circulated an order asking all the priests wear blue sapphire, so that morality can be strengthened.
It is said about turquoise, that when the stone changes its color into yellow, it actually signals bad times to the person who wears it.
It is believed that a turquoise gifted to a friend or a lover turns his or her life into one of happiness and good luck.
Jewellery is one of the most bought products online. An estimated $1 billion USD of diamonds are bought annually via the Internet. Over 40 million people use the Internet to trade!