Origin: Longido District, Arusha Region, Tanzania

Description: Ruby in Zoisite is a natural combination stone made up of red ruby crystals hosted in green zoisite, often with black hornblende mixed through the material. In lapidary rough, it is valued for its strong color contrast and solid cutting potential. The mix of deep green, pinkish to red ruby, and darker mineral streaks gives each piece a bold, natural pattern that works well for cabochons, carvings, slabs, and other ornamental stonework.

This material formed through metamorphism, where aluminum-rich and calcium-rich rocks were changed by heat and pressure deep in the crust. The ruby is the red variety of corundum, colored by trace chromium, while the surrounding zoisite formed under the same regional metamorphic conditions. Tanzania is the best-known source for this material, and the Longido area has become especially famous for producing ruby-in-zoisite rough used in both lapidary work and mineral collecting.

Ruby in Zoisite is often chosen by people who like stones said to combine energy with balance. Ruby is commonly associated with passion, strength, and motivation, while zoisite is linked with growth, grounding, and recovery. Together, they are often seen as a stone for forward movement, vitality, and staying steady during change.

Chemical Composition: Ruby: Al2O3
Zoisite: Ca2Al3(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

Grade: Lapidary
Appearance: Opaque
Mineral: Many

Approximate Size of 1 pc: 9cm x 8cm x 5cm
Approximate Weight of 1 pc: 350g

Rough is rough. We do our best to grade and describe pieces in the lot, but ultimately, they all differ.