IOLITE STONE / KAKA-NEELI
Iolite stone is a substitute for blue sapphire (Neelam), and those who cannot wear Neelam due to a lack of money can feel free to wear this gem and get benefits. It is also called Kakaneeli in Hindi. Its power is considered to be equivalent to that of the blue sapphire. India, the U.S.A., and Brazil are the three leading producers of iolite.
Physical properties/chemical composition
The hardness of iolite lies between 7 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale. The chemical composition of iolite is magnesium iron aluminum cyclosilicate (Mg 2 Al 4 Si 5 O 18). It has a refractive index of 1.542–1.578 and a density of 2.58–2.66.