Gem Library

BUYER’S OVERVIEW:
Ruby is considered to be a precious gemstone and one of the most expensive members of the corundum family. Zoisite is a green chrome rich mineral often found with black speckles of Amphobole. These two minerals act as a matrix for the gemmy ruby crystals and when combined together they produce a new specimen known as Anyolite. The lush green of the Zoisite and the deep purplish red of the Ruby are a stunning combination. While Ruby in Zoisite is limited in nature (currently single sourced from small deposits near the town of Longino in Tanzania), large, clean natural stones are available (for a price).

COLOR:
Ruby in Zoisite is predominantly green with opaque, deep purplish red Ruby inclusions often with surrounding black veins of Amphobole or mottling of the Zoisite matrix.

APPEARANCE:
Opaque

SIZE RANGE:
1 to 100 carats; large specimens are available.

TYPICAL CUTTING STYLES:
Opaque: beads, cabochons, and carvings

POSSIBLE ENHANCEMENTS & TREATMENTS:
Ruby in Zoisite has no known enhancements.

HARDNESS:
6 to 7 on the Mohs scale.

BEST USE OF THE GEMSTONE:
Ruby in Zoisite can be used in all types of jewelry

CARE & CLEANING:
It is best to never expose colored gemstones to cleaning solvents or chemicals of any kind.
Common cleaning methods include:
Ultrasonic: never
Steamer: never
Warm soapy water: safe
Reaction to Chemicals: can be damaged by acids.
Reaction to Heat: somewhat stable
Stability to Light: generally stable after prolonged exposure to sunlight or UV light.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GEMSTONE:
Ruby in Zoisite was first discovered in 1954 in a few small deposits south of the town of Longino in Tanzania, about 50 miles northwest of Mount Kilimanjaro. Ruby in Zoisite, also known as Anyolite, is the natural combination of Ruby and Zoisite crystals in a single specimen. The name Anyolite comes from the word for “green” in the native language of the Massai. This is a unique metamorphic gem that carries black hornblende inclusions and large, but mostly opaque, rubies. Cut and polished Ruby in Zoisite specimens vary by color according to the amount of Ruby they contain. Most specimens will display three colors – green, black and red.

DESIGNATION:
This gem has no traditions currently associated with it.

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