Iolite Jewelry: Enhance your beauty with this gem Iolite earned the name “water sapphire” for its rich purple and blue hues and stunning optical phenomenon of pleochroism. Iolite Historical Significance takes it back to the era of Vikings when they used it as a navigator when clouds hid the sun. The gem is lightly polarized and enables Vikings to determine the sun's position. People even adored its incredible powers in the form of amulets and talismans to protect themselves from negativity. Later, gradually, it fascinated people as a brilliant gemstone to be used in stunning jewelry pieces.