Natural Iolite · 0.227 ct · Round · Brilliant Cut · Unheated

This natural Iolite weighs 0.227 carat and is fashioned in a classic round brilliant cut, displaying an attractive bluish-violet body colour with good to very good colour quality.

Measuring approximately 3.9 × 3.9 × 2.4 mm, the gemstone falls within a practical jewellery size and offers balanced proportions for use in rings, earrings, pendants or other fine jewellery designs.

The stone is transparent and presents a clarity appearance comparable to approximately SI, with fine natural internal characteristics visible under magnification. These inclusions have limited impact on the overall face-up appearance, while the gemstone retains good transparency and visual brightness.

Iolite is the gem-quality variety of cordierite and is particularly recognised for its pronounced pleochroism. Depending on crystallographic orientation and viewing direction, the gemstone may display different shades ranging from bluish violet and violet-blue to paler blue-grey or nearly colourless tones.

This strong directional colour behaviour makes orientation especially important during faceting. In this specimen, the cutting direction has been selected to present an attractive bluish-violet face-up colour, while the round brilliant facet arrangement supports brightness and balanced light return.

The gemstone shows good to very good colour, very good clarity, and a very good cut and symmetry, producing a refined and balanced overall presentation.

Iolite is sometimes known in the gemstone trade as the “Vikings’ Compass”, a historical nickname associated with its strong directional optical behaviour and long-standing stories linking cordierite-type material with early navigation. The expression is best understood as a traditional trade and historical reference rather than definitive archaeological evidence that faceted Iolite gemstones were used as navigational instruments.

There are no indications of heating and no indications of any other treatment. The gemstone therefore retains its naturally observed colour and internal characteristics without documented enhancement.

With its attractive bluish-violet colour, strong pleochroic character and well-executed round brilliant cut, this 0.227 ct natural Iolite is an elegant choice for fine jewellery or gemstone collecting. Its untreated condition and distinctive optical behaviour give the stone additional gemmological interest and individual character.