The facts
What bloodshot Iolite actually is
Mineralogically, bloodshot Iolite is cordierite — Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈ with hematite inclusions, crystallising in the orthorhombic system.
The colour is caused by violet-blue cordierite host with red-orange reflective hematite platelets giving an aventurescent flash. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.542–1.551, and the specific gravity sits near 2.57–2.70; cleavage is fair {100}.
Where bloodshot Iolite comes from
The recognised sources are Ihosy, Madagascar, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu and Odisha, India and Tanzania.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How bloodshot Iolite is treated
Untreated; the hematite inclusions are the attraction. A genuine niche material, frequently confused with the far commoner plain iolite in online listings.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What bloodshot Iolite is confused with
The usual confusions are Iolite, Sunstone, Aventurine and Goldstone glass.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.542–1.551 and specific gravity 2.57–2.70 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What bloodshot Iolite is used for
Bloodshot Iolite is bought by mineral collecting, jewellery and decorative objects — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen, by the carat or by the piece.
Durability and care
Hardness 7–7.5; cleavage fair {100}. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What bloodshot Iolite costs
Indicative pricing for bloodshot Iolite is $20–200/ct.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is bloodshot Iolite treated, and how?
Untreated; the hematite inclusions are the attraction. A genuine niche material, frequently confused with the far commoner plain iolite in online listings.
Where does bloodshot Iolite come from?
Ihosy, Madagascar, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu and Odisha, India and Tanzania. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is bloodshot Iolite hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does bloodshot Iolite cost?
Indicatively $20–200/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is bloodshot Iolite confused with?
Most often Iolite, Sunstone, Aventurine and Goldstone glass. A refractive index of 1.542–1.551 and a specific gravity near 2.57–2.70 separate it quickly.
What is bloodshot Iolite used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting and decorative objects. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for bloodshot iolite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about bloodshot iolite