Beautiful violet-colored iolite chip beads and sterling silver iolite charms provide beautiful design elements for your jewelry applications! Also known as water sapphires, cordierite, dichroite, Spanish lazulite, and Vikings' compass, the semiprecious gemstone iolite is named after the Greek word for violet, ios. The blue silicate mineral occurs as crystals or grains in igneous rocks, only as a result of magma contamination by aluminous sediment. One of the most coveted attributes of iolite beads are their extreme pleochroism, or ability to change colors depending from which angle you look at them. This lovely light purple gemstone is said to open and expand psychic talents, and is supposed to be excellent for use on the third eye and crown chakras. It also is believed to enhance curiosity, stimulate visions, and help the wearer deal with addictions, including alcoholism (it assists in detoxification as well as maintaining sobriety).
