Iolite Earrings by Amy Talor

Iolite is a transparent gem-quality form of cordierite, a magnesium iron aluminum cyclosilicate mineral. The first significant discovery of large transparent, gem-quality deposits of iolite was made in 1996 in Wyoming (USA) by the American geologist, W. Dan Hausal. The world’s largest iolite crystal weighs over 24,000 carats! The name ‘iolite’ originates from the Greek word ‘ios’ meaning ‘violet’.