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Iolite Tumble

$5.00 NZD
$5.00 NZD
As the transparent variety iolite, it is often used as a gemstone. The name "iolite" comes from the Greek word for violet. It has also been called "water-sapphire" and "Vikings' Compass" because of its usefulness in determining the direction of the sun on overcast days, the Vikings having used it for this purpose. This works by determining the direction of polarization of the sky overhead. Light scattered by air molecules is polarized, and the direction of the polarization is at right angles to a line to the sun, even when the sun's disk itself is obscured by dense fog or lies just below the horizon.

 

Please Note: Dimensions are for shipping purposes.