The name iolite is derived from Greek io meaning violet flower. It is also known as cordierite, dichroite, water sapphire, and lynx sapphire. These names are derived from the French mineralogist, Cordier; from its multi-coloring (wrongly) dichroitic; and from its similarity to sapphire. Iolite occurs in altered aluminous rocks and in some igneous rocks. It is known for its pleochroism of which the dark violet-blue color is the most attractive. A variety with profuse inclusions of hematite plates is reddish and known as bloodshot iolite. Bloodshot mostly comes from Sri Lanka.