Metaphysical and Healing Properties of Iolite

Iolite is the delicate blue-violet gem form of the mineral cordierite. It has the nickname of water sapphire.

One of the qualities of cordierite is that viewed from different angles it appears to be different colors. This phenomenon is called pleochroism. The three colors often seen in iolite are violet blue, yellow gray and light blue. Sometimes greens and browns can be seen as well.

Because of this semiprecious stone's availability and relatively low cost, it makes a popular alternative to blue and violet gems in jewelry.

Melody in A Kaleidoscope of Crystals calls iolite 'the violet stone.' It's one of the major third-eye stones. Placing this crystal on the third eye during meditation may help develop your intuition and in facilitating astral travel.

Iolite helps one go deeper in mediation to a trance-like state. Because of this it can aid in shamanic journeying and vision seeking. Besides meditating with it on the third-eye center, it can be used as a gem elixir for a period of time leading up to a planned ritual for seeking visions and then the crystal itself can be used along with other ritual items meaningful to the seeker.

Iolite gives one a better sense of reality in regards to financial concerns. It aids is taking responsibility for current debts and staying responsible in other money matters.

Iolite has been used in treatment of liver disorders and alcoholism and is believed to lessen the effects of alcohol. It fortifies a person's constitution and helps one embody the old adage of being 'as strong as an ox.'

This crystal helps balance masculine and feminine energies and aligns the aura with a person's other subtle bodies. This produces a sense of centeredness. Because of this, it may prove helpful when used in grounding and centering meditations in conjunction with grounding stones.

As this stone also has strong blue tones, it can be used on the throat chakra for communication problems and throat-related issues.

It has been theorized that iolite may have been a stone used as a compass by the Vikings during their maritime travels. Because of the pleochroism effect of the stone, it may have helped them find the sun on overcast days. But iolite isn't the only candidate for this phenomenon. See the sources section below to learn more about the fascinating optic possibilities of iolite and the fabled compass of the Vikings.

If you were to apply this principle to metaphysical use of iolite, then it may help in finding direction in your own life during stormy periods.

This information is experimental and not meant to replace the advice of your health professional.

Sources consulted:

• Melody. Love is in the Earth - A Kaleidoscope of Crystals. Earth-Love Publishing Group, 1995.
• Iolite, the gemstone variety of cordierite and The Mineral Cordierite. Amethyst Galleries, Inc., 1995-2011.
• Iolite - The Viking Compass. Nordskip Designs, 2000-2010.