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Ca₂Al₃(SiO₄)₃(OH)
Ruby-zoisite
Anyolite from Longido: green zoisite, black hornblende, and ruby that grew inside the same rock.
- Formula
- Ca₂Al₃(SiO₄)₃(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5–7
- Crystal system
- orthorhombic
- Colour
- green, red
- Element
- fire
- Chakra (tradition)
- heart
- Zodiac
- Aries, Leo
- Month
- —
- Where the earth keeps it
- Tanzania
What it actually is
Ruby-zoisite is Ca₂Al₃(SiO₄)₃(OH) before it is a story. The lattice is orthorhombic, Mohs 6.5–7, and the eye meets green, red.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Tanzania. Anyolite from Longido: green zoisite, black hornblende, and ruby that grew inside the same rock.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Ruby-zoisite to fire and to the heart centre. The old site stood it near: Aries, Leo.
How not to turn it to ash
A hard stone survives a daily ring, yet two diamonds in one box will scratch each other. Warm water and a soft cloth are enough.