I Love Iolite

Iolite is a completely sublime gemstone.

It is one of those stones that is called ‘dichroite’ or displays ‘pleochroism’, because it shows twos shades depending on the light angles hitting it. The chemical composition (in case you are interested) is magnesium aluminium silicate (Mg2 Al 4   Si5  O18).

The alternative name for Iolite is ‘water sapphire’, because of the colour of the tone of the stone, which is at its best, is the most beautiful violet. In fact, the name Iolite, comes from the greek word ‘ios’ which means violet.

The stone was allegedly used by Vikings as a type of compass – a polarizing filter that allowed the Viking sailors to determine the position of the Sun, so they could navigate more accurately.

I have just recently bought some I gemstones (4mm) and also bought some Iolite beads from my winnings in the House of Gems competition. I havent used the gemstones yet – I am still pondering what to do with them, but I have used a few of the Iiolite beads.

Biggs Jasper and Iolite Tribal Necklace

I used the Iolite beads with the piece of Biggs jasper to create a  tribal necklace. The violet of the Iolite went particularly well with the beige and browns of the Biggs Jasper – don’t you think?

Biggs Jasper and Iolite Tribal Necklace

To make the necklace, I created a sterling silver setting for the Biggs Jasper cabochon and attached hammered sterling silver spoon-shaped rods. I used these to attach a leather necklet which I created from greek leather and I wrapped the iolite beads using fine silver wire to the necklet. The necklace looks very tribal and unusual and the colours of the Biggs Jasper cabochon and the Iolite go really well together.

And here is a look at the beautiful Iolite gemstones that I have for another project:

Iolite gemstones

I think I might make them the centre piece for another homage type necklace.

Tribal Jewellery

As anyone who reads this blog knows, I am very much into ancient cultures and mythology. So I have decided to start a new range of jewellery created by Lynwood Jewellery called our Tribal Jewellery range.

The range will be mainly necklaces with some bracelets (I’m currently working on a bracelet at the minute). I want to work in earthy colours and have chosen stones such as dusty pink rhodonite and the beautiful brown hues of brecciated jasper, to incorporate into the range.

I am also, of course, using silver for central pieces such as hearts and chains, but I am augmenting this with greek leather and suede thongs to complete the piece.

The bracelet I am working on at the moment has a silver heart accented with a silver and leather chain. The next piece will use a mixture of turquoise and brecciated Jasper stones as the necklace and a rare Biggs Jasper pendant will complete the tribal feel.

The overall effect is to give the wearer a very distinctive and individual piece of jewellery, that uses tones and colours that touch on the whole tribal trend being seen in jewellery  minute.

You can see some of our tribal pieces on our website here.

Here is a look at that Biggs Jasper piece before I set it:

Our latest rhodonite tribal necklace:

Rhodonite tribal necklace