About Zoisite

Shop zoisite HERE

Shop tanzanite (the blue-violet gemstone variety of zoisite) HERE

Shop thulite HERE

Shop ruby-in-zoisite HERE

Keep reading to discover more about zoisite

  • Mineralogy and geology*
  • Metaphysical, Spiritual and Healing** Properties***
  • Common Associations

Mineralogy and Geology of Zoisite

Mineral formula: Ca2Al3[Si2O7][SiO4]O(OH) ; dimorph of clinozoisite

Crystal system: orthorhombic

Crystal habit: Prismatic crystals, columnar to compact, massive

Cleavage: perfect on {010} imperfect on {100}

Fracture: irregular / uneven, conchoidal

Color: colorless, purple, greyish-white, white, gray, yellowish-brown, yellow, pink, green

Luster: vitreous, pearly, dull when fine-grained

Diaphaneity: transparent, translucent

Moh’s scale hardness: 6 - 7

Streak: white

Specific gravity: 3.15 – 3.36

Named after: Originally named saualpite for the locality Saualpe in Carinthia, Austria, where it occurs in eclogites. The name zoisite was introduced by A.G. Werner in 1805 to honor Sigmund Zois, Baron von Edelstein (1747-1819), Austrian scholar who financed mineral-collecting expeditions.

Type locality: Prickler Halt, Ladinger Spitze - Speikkogel area, Eberstein, Sankt Veit an der Glan District, Carinthia, Austria

Geological occurrence: Medium-grade regionally metamorphosed rocks, eclogites, blueschist facies metamorphic rocks.

The mineral zoisite occurs in many forms and color.
Tanzanite - a transparent blue to blue-violet zoisite (colored by vanadium) used as a gem stone. For the fascinating history of tanzanite, click HERE.

Thulite is an opaque pink zoisite (containing trivalent manganese), also used in jewelry as a pink cabochon and in sculptures.

Zoisite also occurs intergrown with ruby, "ruby in zoisite" (also known as anyolite. It is a rock composed of green zoisite, red corundum crystals (ruby) and occasionally black crystals of the amphibole pargasite. Anyolite is used to produce cabochons, tumbled stones, ornamental objects and sculptures, or sold as specimens.

Zoisite and clinozoisite share the identical chemical composition but have a different crystal structure (dimorphs). Zoisite is the orthorhombic form while clinozoisite is the monoclinic form (and therefore classified in the epidote group). The physical properties of these two distinct minerals are extremely similar and are therefore virtually indistinguishable from each other when in massive form. 

There is no industrial use of zoisite. Most deposits of zoisite are relatively small.

Zoisite has been documented in hundreds of localities. A few of those locales of special interest to mineral collectors include the Arusha district of Tanzania (tanzanite), Kenya (anyolite), Gandegg in Switzerland, Norway (thulite) and the northern areas of Pakistan. In the United States, thulite deposits are found in Taos County, New Mexico, northeastern Washington state and numerous locales in California. 

Spiritual, Metaphysical and Healing Properties

Zoisite supports dissipation of negativity and for transmutation of the negative energies to more positive levels. It also supports the dispelling of laziness and idleness. It allows for direct connection, via mental processes, to the higher vibrational levels to facilitate advancement in all areas of life.

Common Associations

  • Chakra – depends on color and type; pink zoisite relates to the heart chakra
  • Numerology - vibrates to the number 4
  • Zodiac – Gemini
  • Birthstone – none traditional
  • Wedding Anniversary – none traditional

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* Mineralogical information is from mindat.org

** Always consult with your medical professional for any physical or long-term healing issues.

*** Metaphysical properties come from: 

Love Is in the Earth (1995) Melody, Earth-Love Publishing House, 726 pp.

The Crystal Bible, A Definitive Guide to Crystals (2003) Judy Hall, Walking Stick Press, 399 pp.

Crystal Muse (2017) Heather Askinosie and Timmi Jandro, Hay House, 285 pp.

Crystal Gridwork (2018) Kiera Fogg, Weiser Books, 128 pp.