Iolite

Iolite is the gem variety of the mineral Cordierite.  Although Cordierite has been identified for hundreds of years, gem quality only became available in quantity in the mid 1990s.    A light to deep blue, the stone is strongly pleochroic so can look blue, grey or purple in different lights and from different angles.    In its high quality forms it can easily compete with sapphire for lovers of blue coloured gems.