RUBY ZOISITE

This is a popular colourful stone ready to be set in jewellery.

Weight 21.2 cts

Size 22x 16x6.2 mm

Hardness 5.5 to 6.65[the ruby being hardest]

Ruby-Zoisite also known as anyolite, is the natural combination of RUBY and ZOISITE crystals in a single specimen. Zoisite, the same mineral as tanzanite, provides an earthy green and black color while ruby lends pink and red highlights. Ruby-zoisite is usually shaped as cabochons or carved into decorative shapes, including animals and religious icons.

Ruby-zoisite was first discovered in 1954 in Tanzania. The name anyolite goes back to the word for 'green" in the native language of the Massai.