Ruby zoisite, or anyolite, is a rock rather than one mineral: green zoisite, red ruby and black amphibole grown together. We do not carry it. Green aventurine and kiwi jasper are the greens we do.
Rock (mixed minerals)
Ruby Zoisite
Rubí zoisita
- Palette
- Green Red Black
- Mined in
- Tanzania, Austria, Kenya
- Hardness
- Mohs 6.0–7.0 ?
- See-through
- opaque
- Known since
- 1805
- Named for
- Sigmund Zois, a naturalist, plus ruby for its red crystals
- Also sold as
- anyolite, ruby in zoisite, ruby-zoisite, Tanganyika artstone
- Intention
- Love
- Looking for
- Love Goals and motivation
- Water
- Fine with water and mild soap
- Dye or finish
- Ruby-zoisite is occasionally oiled to improve appearance.
Not in our pieces now
SAUALPITE
Before it was called zoisite, the mineral was known as saualpite, after the Saualpe in Carinthia, where Sigmund Zois's specimens came from.
TANGANYIKA ARTSTONE
Anyolite, the green-and-ruby rock sold as ruby zoisite, is also called 'Tanganyika artstone.'
PARGASITE
Ruby zoisite is a three-part rock: green zoisite, black or dark green pargasite, and red ruby.
What it is
An opaque, bright green stone with blotches of pink-red ruby and black flecks, so each bead has its own pattern. It is a rock, not one mineral: green zoisite, ruby crystals and black pargasite (an amphibole) grown together. Beads are usually tumbled smooth or carved.
What gives it its color
Ruby-zoisite is a rock in which the red comes from ruby (corundum) crystals and the green from zoisite, with dark patches of pargasite.
Where it comes from
Ruby-zoisite (anyolite) was first found at the Mundarara mine near Longido in Tanzania, and material also comes from other parts of Tanzania's Arusha region, from Kenya and from Austria.
In history
Ruby zoisite, also sold as anyolite, was first found in 1954 at the Mundarara Mine near Longido, Tanzania, and its name comes from the Maasai word anyoli, 'green'. The zoisite in it was recognized as a new mineral in 1797, when Sigmund Zois examined a specimen from a mineral dealer.
What's said about it
In crystal lore, green zoisite is the heart stone for getting moving. People keep it for love and relationships, and for the push to start something they have been putting off.
The name anyolite comes from a Maasai word for green. It is worn as a necklace, carried in a shirt pocket or held in the hand.
How people wear or keep it: As a necklace over the heart, in a shirt pocket, or held in either hand.
In crystal practice
In the crystal tradition, ruby zoisite is paired with the heart chakra, so practitioners rest it there during meditation or lie down with it in place for a few quiet minutes. Day to day, the same tradition suggests keeping it close: as a necklace over the heart, in a shirt pocket, held in either hand. People reach for it when they want love, goals and motivation, and many set an intention when they put it on. Most practitioners cleanse a new stone first (running water only if the stone can take it, otherwise smoke or moonlight) and set it aside now and then to rest.
These are beliefs people have held and still hold about the stone, reported as such. Nothing here is a promise or a medical claim. We sell stones as jewelry, not for these effects.
Associations
The chakra and star sign this stone is usually matched with. These are popular traditions, not facts about the stone.
ChakraHeart
ZodiacAquarius, Aries
Also calledanyolite, ruby in zoisite, ruby-zoisite
Care
- Hard enough for daily wear (the zoisite is Mohs 6 to 7, the ruby 9), but zoisite splits along one flat direction, so avoid hard knocks.
- Wipe with a soft damp cloth and dry it.
- Skip ultrasonic cleaners and sudden temperature changes.
- The black pargasite flecks are a little softer than the rest, so store it apart from harder stones to keep the polish.
- Remove before heavy work, since a sharp blow can chip the edges.
How to tell what you have
- Ruby-zoisite is a rock: red ruby crystals set in green zoisite, often with dark flecks.
- Zoisite is Mohs 6 to 7, so a bead sold under this name may be dyed or a related green stone; check for dye pooled at the drill hole.
Questions people ask at our table
What is ruby zoisite?
A metamorphic rock, also called anyolite, made of green zoisite, red ruby and black pargasite. Sellers sometimes call it a variety of zoisite, but it is a mix, and anyolite is a trade term rather than an official mineral name.
Is the ruby real?
The pink-red patches are ruby, the red form of corundum, grown into the rock. The contrasting colors make it a popular stone for carving and decorative pieces.
Is the color natural or dyed?
The green, red and black are the rock's own minerals. A very bright, even color with no black flecks is worth asking the seller about.
How is it related to tanzanite?
Both are zoisite. Tanzanite is the blue, clear gem form; this is the green, opaque rock form, and both come from Tanzania.
Where does it come from?
Mainly the Arusha Region of Tanzania, with further finds in Austria and Kenya.
Not in our pieces right now
Stones we do carry that are close to it are listed under related stones.
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