Zoisite

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Refractive Index : 1.700-1.695

Optical Characteristic : DR, Biaxial positive, AGG

Specific Gravity : 3.35 (+.10 -.25)

Formula : Ca2AI3(SiO4)3(OH)

Crystal System : Orthorhombic

Variety/Species :

Tanzanite – Transparent blue to violet to bluish purple

Thulite – Translucent to opaque pink, often molted or streaked with gray or white, also called rosaline and uniolite

Ruby in Zoisite – Translucent to opaque rock like ornamental material with ruby crystals in green zoisite

Species/Group : Epidote Group

Birefringence : .008 to .013

Dispersion : .021

Hardness : 6 to 7

Toughness : Fair to poor

Ultrasonic : Uaually safe

Steam : Usually safe

UV Long : Inert

UV Short : Inert

Pleochroism : 3 Colors

Strength : Weak to strong

Pleochroism Colors : Tanzanite – strong blue, purplish red and greenish yellow

Brown – Strong green, purple and light blue

Yellowish green – Strong dark blue, yellow green and purple.

Heat : Fusible

Acids : Attacked by acids and/or chemicals

Light : Stable

Polish Luster : Vitreous

Fracture : Conchoidal to uneven

Fracture Luster : Vitreocs to dull

Clarity Type : N/A

Tones : N/A

Saturations : N/A

Cause of Color : Blue - Vanadium, Green – Chromium, Pink – Manganese

Enhancements : None

Cleavage : Perfect 1 direction

Color Range : Brown, yellowish green, brownish, greenish Pink, often with gray or white mottling or streaking(Thulite)Blue, violet, bluish purple (tanzanite)

Transparency : Transparent to Opague

Phenomena : Chatoyancy (rare)

Separations : Zoisite from-
Rhodonite – RI, color, appearance

Identifying Characteristics and information
Ruby in Zoisite – Rock-like translucent to opaque omamental stone with ruby gemstone crystals in green zoisite
No singular identifying characteristics. Use a combination of properties

Spectral Data
5950, 5280, 4550

Trade Names and Misnomers
Anyolite
Meru Sapphire(m)
Ruby in Zoisite
Tanzanite(S)
Thulite(S)
Zoisite

Tags: Anyolite, green zoisite, Meru Sapphire, rosaline, Ruby in Zoisite, Tanzanite, Thulite, uniolite, Zoisite