Iolite:

I am Iolite, the gemstone of clear vision. Long ago, on a dangerous voyage through the polar sea, a lost Viking navigator held me in his hand. He gazed through me at the foggy sky and as he turned me around and pointed me toward the hidden sun my face brightened, giving him the bearing to return his crew home safely. Today, I still possess the power to guide lost sailors to the brilliance of the sun, so they may find their way home.

Qualities: The soft, almost liquid, violet-blue hue of Iolite is sometimes referred to, in error, as "water sapphire." Though not a Sapphire, Iolite derives its name from the Greek work ios meaning violet. Iolite's most distinctive characteristic is its pleochroic property, which is the display of different colors when viewed from different directions like a modern-day polarized filter used in sunglasses.

Care: As with all gemstones, protect your Iolite from scratches and sharp blows. Clean your Iolite jewelry by immersing it in lukewarm soapy water wand using a small, soft brush or a home ultrasonic, steam or jewelry cleaner.

Why Iolite? While today we are not limited by tradition, the symbolism of Iolite is treasured as a gemstone to celebrate one's twenty-first anniversary.