Iolite: Meaning, Healing Properties and more

September 6, 2024

Countries of origin: United States

Hardness on Mohs scale: 7

Rarity: Rare

Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Libra, Sagittarius

Birthstone Month: September

Chakra: Third eye

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Iolite meaning

Iolite, also known as the "Viking's Compass," is a gemstone with a rich history and a variety of meanings. Its name comes from the Greek word "ios," meaning violet, reflecting its beautiful purple-blue hue.

Here are some of the key meanings associated with iolite:

Vision and Intuition: Iolite is believed to enhance vision and intuition, helping you to see beyond the surface and gain deeper insights into yourself and the world around you.
Spiritual Connection: This gemstone is said to facilitate a connection to higher spiritual realms, promoting spiritual growth and enlightenment.
Guidance and Direction: Like the Vikings' compass, iolite is believed to offer guidance and direction in life, helping you to find your path and navigate challenges.
Creativity and Inspiration: Iolite is associated with creativity and inspiration, sparking imaginative ideas and encouraging self-expression.
Healing and Balance: This gemstone is believed to have healing properties, promoting physical and emotional well-being. It can help to balance the chakras and restore harmony to the body and mind.

Other meanings and associations associated with iolite include:

Responsibility and Accountability: Iolite is believed to encourage responsibility and accountability, helping you to take ownership of your actions and make informed decisions.
Independence and Self-Sufficiency: This gemstone is said to promote independence and self-sufficiency, empowering you to rely on your own resources and make your own way in the world.
Protection and Grounding: Iolite is believed to offer protection from negative energies and help to ground you in the present moment.

Ultimately, the meaning of iolite is personal and may vary depending on your individual experiences and beliefs. However, it is generally considered a powerful and versatile gemstone with a wide range of benefits.

What does iolite look like?

Iolite is a stunning gemstone known for its beautiful blue-violet hue. Its colour can vary from a soft, pastel blue to a deep, rich violet. One of its most unique characteristics is its pleochroism, which means it can appear in different colors depending on the angle from which it is viewed. This can make it seem to change color as you move it.

What is iolite used for?

Iolite has a variety of uses, both historically and today.

Historical uses:

Viking's Compass: As the name suggests, iolite was used by Vikings as a navigational tool. Its pleochroism allowed them to determine the position of the sun even on cloudy days.
Ornamentation: Iolite has been used in jewellery and other decorative items for centuries due to its beautiful colour and unique properties.

Modern uses:

Jewellery: Iolite remains a popular choice for jewellery, particularly in rings, pendants, and earrings. Its vibrant colours and affordability make it a desirable gemstone.
Metaphysical and Healing Properties: Many people believe that iolite has metaphysical and healing properties. It is often used in crystal healing practices and meditation to enhance intuition, spiritual growth, and emotional balance.
Industrial Applications: Iolite is also used in some industrial applications, such as in optical instruments and lasers.

Overall, iolite is a versatile gemstone with a rich history and a variety of modern uses.

Cleansing and charging iolite

All crystals should be cleansed when you first get them and then regularly after that. They should also be charged to keep them at their full power.

Two of the most common ways to cleanse crystals is with water and with sunlight.

Can iolite get wet?

Yes, iolite can get wet. It is a relatively durable gemstone and can withstand exposure to water. However, it's always a good practice to remove any jewellery, including iolite, before engaging in activities that involve prolonged exposure to water, such as swimming or showering.

To maintain the luster and beauty of your iolite jewelry, you can clean it with a soft cloth dampened with warm water. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.

Can iolite go in sunlight?

Yes, iolite can go in sunlight. It is a relatively durable gemstone that can withstand exposure to sunlight without significant damage. However, prolonged exposure to intense sunlight over a long period of time can cause the color of some iolite stones to fade slightly.

If you're concerned about preserving the colour of your iolite jewelry, it's a good idea to store it in a dark place when not wearing it.

For a more comprehensive guide check out this blog post: How to Cleanse and Charge Crystals

Iolite healing properties

Physical healing properties

Eyesight: Iolite is often associated with improving eyesight and vision. It is believed to help with conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Inflammation: Some believe that iolite can help reduce inflammation in the body, which can benefit those with conditions like arthritis or joint pain.
Immune System: Iolite is said to support the immune system, helping the body fight off infections and diseases.

Emotional and mental healing properties

Stress Reduction: Iolite is thought to help alleviate stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of calm and tranquility.
Emotional Balance: It's believed to help balance emotions, preventing mood swings and fostering emotional stability.
Clarity of Thought: Iolite is often associated with improving mental clarity and focus, helping individuals think more clearly and rationally.
Overcoming Fears: Some believe that iolite can help individuals overcome fears and phobias, providing courage and strength to face challenges.
Self-Confidence: Iolite is said to boost self-confidence and self-esteem, helping individuals believe in themselves and their abilities.
Intuition: It's believed to enhance intuition, allowing individuals to trust their gut feelings and make informed decisions.

Metaphysical healing properties

Intuition: Iolite is often used to enhance intuition and psychic abilities. It is believed to help individuals tap into their inner wisdom and gain deeper insights.
Spiritual Growth: Many believe that iolite can facilitate spiritual growth and enlightenment. It is said to help individuals connect with their higher selves and develop a sense of inner peace.
Balance and Harmony: Iolite is believed to help balance the chakras and promote harmony in the body and mind. It can aid in emotional healing and stress reduction.

Affirmations for iolite

Affirmations are a great tool to use alongside crystals. They can be used to set your intention and further personalise your journey of healing and growth. Firstly, decide which of the many properties of iolite you feel is needed in your life at this current time. Next, write down your affirmation as if it has already happening, in the present tense. Remember your affirmation must be positive, for example rather than "I don't want to get ill all of the time" instead use "I am well".

Here are some examples you can use:

Where do you put iolite in your home?

Iolite can be placed in various areas of your home to enhance its energy and benefits. Here are some popular locations:

Bedroom: Place iolite on your bedside table to promote restful sleep and reduce anxiety.
Living Room: Keep iolite in your living room to enhance harmony and communication among family and friends.
Meditation Space: If you have a dedicated meditation space, place iolite there to promote spiritual growth and intuition.
Home Office: Keep iolite on your desk to improve focus, clarity, and creativity.
Kitchen: Place iolite in your kitchen to promote abundance and prosperity.

Ultimately, the best location for iolite in your home is where you feel it resonates most with you. Trust your intuition and experiment with different placements to find the ideal spot.

What chakra is iolite good for?

Iolite is primarily associated with the third eye chakra.

The third eye chakra, located between the eyebrows, is responsible for intuition, spiritual awareness, and psychic abilities. Iolite is believed to enhance these qualities, helping individuals to tap into their inner wisdom and gain deeper insights into themselves and the world around them.

In addition to the third eye chakra, iolite is also believed to be beneficial for the throat chakra, which is associated with communication, self-expression, and creativity.

How to use iolite

Iolite can be used in an area of your house or placed within your energy field.

To be within your energy field a crystal can be:

Placed near you
In your pocket, wallet, purse or bag
Worn as jewellery or an accessory

The crystal’s energy will now be working to heal, improve your life.

Another option is to meditate with iolite. You can either place it on one of your chakras or hold it in your hands. This is especially powerful if you have a particular healing property you wish to receive.