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Massive green zoisite
An ornamental material consisting of crystalline
aggregates of green zoisite with ruby inclusions, also recently
discovered in Tanzania.
Appearance The ground color is bright green,
forming r striking contrast with the isolated crystals of
ruby which are bright red (although nontransparent), some
tens of millimeters in size, and evenly distributed throughout
the mass The overall effect is very pleasing and this material
is sawn turned, sculpted, and polished mainly into items such
a~ ashtrays, boxes, and small carvings.
The use of diamond-tipped tools obviates the problem o, the
difference in hardness between zoisite and ruby.
Distinctive features The general
appearance is unmistakable. There is nothing else like it
in the mineral worlo Occurrence As already mentioned, this
material is founc in appreciable quantities in Tanzania, which
supplies botr the ornamental material and collectors' markets.
Value Given its strikingly beautiful appearance,
even t~ the uninitiated, and its reasonable hardness, it is
prized as an ornamental material. The price of items made
of massive green zoisite depends, of course, on the quality
of the workmanship.
Simulants and synthetics It has neither been
imitate,: nor produced synthetically.
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