Can Zoisite Go In Water? (ANSWERED)

Yes, zoisite can go in water without damage, so long as you do not soak the material for extended periods of time.

Let us explain, and you’ll learn more about zoisite in the process.

Can Zoisite Go In Water? (EXPLAINED)

Can Zoisite Go In Water? That depends on whether Zoisite can swim!

People who were kids in the 90’s remember Zoisite as being the name of a villainess from Sailor Moon.

(Zoisite was a male villain in the original Japanese, but we won’t get into that.)

Zoisite, like the other three generals s/he was teamed up with, was named after a green stone.

Zoisite actually comes in many colors though blue zoisite is commonly known as tanzanite.

The blue color is due to heat oxidizing the vanadium.

Pink and green zoisite is often known as ruby-zoisite or anyolite.

Solid pink zoisite is often known as thulite.

No matter the color, zoisite has a Mohs hardness scale of 6.5.

This is pretty hard, so it won’t be easily damaged by brief interactions with water.

The aluminum in the stone means that it is rust resistant as well.

How to Clean Your Zoisite

It is recommended that zoisite be cleaned with warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth.

Rinse well to remove all soapy residue.

Remember that while zoiscite is good and firm it is not indestructible.

It has ideal cleavage and so can scratch or even fracture easily if knocked around hard enough.

Zoisite should not be subject to harsh chemicals, acids or high heat.

Steam cleaning and ultrasonic cleaners are not recommended.

Even strong light is not recommended for zoisite. If you have zoisite jewelry, it may be best to keep it as evening wear.

Don’t get your ruby-zoisite mixed up with green fuchsite!

They look similar, but fuchsite only has a Mohs hardness scale of two or three and should not go in water.

You can tell them apart by a white or cream-colored spotting where the green and pink parts meet.

Long term soaks are not recommended as the exposure to water can damage the finish and cause cracks/fissures to develop over time, making the stone more prone to damage.

A Few Words on Clinozoisite

For the most part, clinozoisite is almost indistinguishable from zoisite.

Both are silicates that come in similar colors, though zoisite has more variety.

Both are translucent to transparent. Both leave white streaks on porcelain.

They have the same luster, same cleavage, same specific gravity, even the same chemical composition.

The main difference is the crystal system.

Zoisite is orthorhombic where clinozoisite is monoclinic.

Zoisite when viewed under a strong lens will be revealed to have a straight, rigid crystal structure.

A clinozoisite’s crystal structure will be slightly skewed. Its fracture is uneven, making it more of a collector’s stone than anything that could be used for jewelry or sculpture.

The History of Zoisite

The zoisite is named after Carniolan naturalist Sigmund Zois von Edelstein, (Fittingly, his surname means ‘noble stone’ in German.)

He knew some pieces in his mineral collection were odd, so he sent them to be examined by German geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1805.

These particular specimens were from The Saualpe, a low mountain range in Austria.

Tanzanite is exceedingly rare and as the name suggests can only be found in Tanzania.

The stone has only been popularly known since July of 1967 when a Goan tailor and hobbyist prospector found some blue gems on a ridge near Mirerani, not very far from Arusha, Tanzania.

The blue zoisite was named Tanzanite by the famous Tiffany & Co. jewelers and marketed as an exotic rarity.

The Symbolism of Zoisite

Zoisite is said to represent return.

This can be a return to health, to creativity, to memory or mindset.

If you ever find yourself wishing life just had a big reset button, believers recommend meditating over a piece of zoisite.

It may help you figure out what you need to do to bring things back to normal, or at least cope with a new normal.

It is said to be a good stone for people who feel like they’ve lost their focus.

Tanzanite has many of the same metaphysical properties of another popular blue gemstone, the sapphire.

It is a calming stone that promotes clear thinking and improves perception and intuition.

Because it takes intense heat to create a tanzanite, the stone is believed to be useful in helping its owner persevere the trials they need to go through in order to reach their full potential and be the person they’re supposed to be.

Ruby-Zoisite is the yin-yang symbol of stones, being two minerals of opposite colors mingling.

It represents the opposing but necessary forces of harmony.

It is the connection of positive and negative, heart and mind, male and female, past and present, life and death, dark and light, sound and silence.

It is a stone to meditate over when you need to reconcile two seemingly opposing forces to bring harmony into your life.

Thulite, like many pink stones, is connected to emotion and passions.

Thulite in particular is a stone symbolizing the expression of inner emotions.

Believers recommend that you meditate over in order to increase self-confidence and improve a person’s ability to speak or perform before others.

It is said to be a good stone for introverts and people who struggle with stage fright, as it is supposed to open a person up more to optimistic views without becoming self-destructive.

Conclusion

The Sailor Moon character Zoisite had one thing in common with the stone s/he was named after.

Zoisite liked to criticize others and talk tough, but would quickly retreat if wounded.

The mineral zoisite appears very hard but scratches and takes damage very easily.

Zoisite had a connection with cherry blossoms that would appear whenever s/he did an energy attack, teleported or levitated.

Perhaps Naoko Takeuchi was thinking of ruby-zoicite with pink spots on deep green when she named the character.

If you have this stone in any form, be gentle with it.