HEXAGONAL RUBY CRYSTAL IN ZOISITE. ...

Description

HEXAGONAL RUBY CRYSTAL IN ZOISITE
Tanzania
This large ruby crystal in zoisite matrix is peppered with black horneblend. When zoisite is blue and of gem quality, it is referred to as tanzanite. When the ruby and zoisite is translucent to opaque (not of gem quality) - such as the specimen offered here - such material is typically used for beads and carvings. Ruby is extremely hard and must be cut with a diamond blade. The ruby in zoisite combination is among the more striking natural pairings of the mineral world - there is nothing else like it. A further embellishment - and one witnessed here - is a ruby that is chatoyant (a three-dimensional reflectance effect caused by the fibrous structure of the matrix). This is a select representation of an articulated hexagonal ruby in zoisite measuring 3 ½ x 4 x 4 inches and weighs 4.5 pounds.

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