Anyolite is a

metamorphic rock Metamorphic rocks arise from the transformation of existing rock to new types of rock in a process called metamorphism. The original rock (protolith) is subjected to temperatures greater than and, often, elevated pressure of or more, causin ...

composed of intergrown green

zoisite Zoisite, first known as saualpite, after its type locality, is a calcium aluminium hydroxy sorosilicate belonging to the epidote group of minerals. Its chemical formula is Ca2 Al3( Si O4)(Si2O7)O(O H). Zoisite occurs as prismatic, orthorhombi ...

, black/dark green

pargasite Pargasite is a complex inosilicate mineral of the amphibole group with formula NaCa2(Mg4Al)(Si6Al2)O22(OH)2. It was first described for an occurrence in Pargas, Finland in 1814 and named for the locality. It occurs in high temperature regional ...

and

ruby A ruby is a pinkish red to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum ( aluminium oxide). Ruby is one of the most popular traditional jewelry gems and is very durable. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sa ...

. It has been found in the

Arusha Region Arusha City is a Tanzanian city and the regional capital of the Arusha Region, with a population of 416,442 plus 323,198 in the surrounding Arusha District Council (2012 census). Located below Mount Meru (Tanzania), Mount Meru on the eastern e ...

Tanzania Tanzania (; ), officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( sw, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and ...

and in Austria. It is sometimes incorrectly advertised as a variety of the

mineral In geology and mineralogy, a mineral or mineral species is, broadly speaking, a solid chemical compound with a fairly well-defined chemical composition and a specific crystal structure that occurs naturally in pure form.John P. Rafferty, ed. ( ...

zoisite. The term ''anyolite'' is, however, not an officially accepted term for a metamorphic rock. Its name derives from the

Maasai Maasai may refer to: * Maasai people *Maasai language * Maasai mythology * MAASAI (band) See also * Masai (disambiguation) * Massai Massai (also known as: Masai, Massey, Massi, Mah–sii, Massa, Wasse, Wassil or by the nickname "Big Foot" Mas ...

word ''anyoli'', meaning "green". Anyolite is also referred to as ruby in zoisite, ruby zoisite, ruby-zoisite or Tanganyika artstone. The contrasting colours make anyolite a popular material for sculptures and other decorative objects. It was first discovered at the

Mundarara Mine } Mundarara is an administrative ward in the Longido District of the Arusha Region of Tanzania Tanzania (; ), officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( sw, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa within the Afri ...

, near

Longido Longido is a small town and ward in Arusha Region in Tanzania. It is the administrative seat for Longido District. Most of the inhabitants are Maasai, but there are other East African tribes as well. Longido is at the foot of Mount Longido, wh ...

, Tanzania in 1954. In 2010 it was suggested that a 2 kilogram stone known as the ''Gem of Tanzania'' owned by the defunct company

Wrekin Construction The Wrekin is a hill in east Shropshire, England. It is located some five miles (8 km) west of Telford, on the border between the unitary authorities of Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin. Rising above the Shropshire Plain to a height of 4 ...

and fraudulently valued at £11 million was actually a lump of anyolite worth about £100, although it was eventually sold for £8000. It is reported that the stone originally came from a mine near

Arusha Arusha City is a Tanzanian city and the regional capital of the Arusha Region, with a population of 416,442 plus 323,198 in the surrounding Arusha District Council (2012 census). Located below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern bran ...

References

External links

* Metamorphic rocks Gemstones {{petrology-stub