Iolite is one of the breathtaking stones I have ever known. It has a wide range of colors it ranges from yellowish grey to the deep blue and violet color. This stone is most commonly confused with sapphires and tanzanites. Most of the iolite are less expensive but they are high quality gemstones. Australia, India, USA, Sri Lanka, Germany are the countries where this gemstone can be found easily. It is also known as water sapphire because of it as also available in deep blue color. It was also known as diochroite which means 2 colored stone.
When it is being measured for its hardness on the Moh’s scale on which diamond is rated 10 for hardness iolite acquires approximately 7.5 which show that it is in the mid range of high quality gem stones. Its value on Moh’s scale show that it will get chipped and scratched but can withstand normal day to day life blows. It is from those stones which are not treated to enhance their quality, many other stones like rubies, diamonds are treated to enhance their quality. As the carat size increases iolite achieves darker color and it loses its attractiveness. They were also used as navigation tools in ancient times.