SOLD – 9ct yellow gold Iolite, Freshwater pearls and Garnet drop earrings

These bezel-set, articulated drop earrings feature a classic, elegant design with great movement. The pearls are lustrous seed pearls.

WHAT IS IOLITE? Also known as water Sapphire. Iolite is the gem-quality variety of cordierite, named from the Greek “ios” (violet). Its hallmark is strong pleochroism: rotate the gem and violet-blue can shift to grey-blue or yellowish tones, so cutters orient rough to show the best face-up colour. Fine iolite can rival sapphire or tanzanite in hue. It’s often transparent and relatively clean, most commonly faceted (also cabochons, beads and carvings). Fashioned stones are typically 1–10 carats; fine gems above 5 carats are rare. With Mohs hardness 7–7.5 but distinct cleavage, durability is only fair—protective settings, earrings and pendants are ideal.