Iolite primarily comes from India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Brazil, and Norway. It is a relatively rare bluish-purple gemstone. The name “Iolite” originates from the Greek word “ion,” meaning “violet,” referring to its beautiful color, which resembles the violet flower.

In legend, Iolite is also known as the “Viking’s Compass” because it was said to help Viking navigators find their way at sea. This comes from the stone’s pleochroism, allowing sailors to locate the sun even on cloudy days or when the sun was low. Although this method of navigation is debated, the stone’s guiding energy has been passed down to modern crystal healing, where Iolite is used to help navigate one’s spiritual and mental journey.