For years Iolite has been relegated to an afterthought: a dark purple stone that you may purchase if you want a Tanzanite lookalike. That changed in 2010 when new deposits were discovered in Kenya that produce Iolite with a predominantly blue hue and a lighter tone. This more attractive gem material has been very popular and we have used it abundantly in jewelry. This pair of classic stud earrings is set with cushion cut Iolites of perfect blue-violet hue and a trio of Diamond sparklers above. The color is perfect: dark blue with flashes of violet and a steely grey undertone that makes them at one time both a neutral and a jewel tone.

Details: 14k white gold earrings with 2.43ctw cushion Iolite (untreated, Kenya) and .14ctw Diamond accents (SI GH).