We present thermodynamic and spectroscopic measurements for an orthopyroxene ${\mathrm{CoGeO}}_3$ with magnetic ${\mathrm{Co}}^{2+}$ ions that form quasi-one-dimensional ladders. We show that noncollinear magnetic order below $T_N=32$ K can be stabilized by a strong local easy-axis anisotropy of $j_{\text{eff}}=1/2$ moments, which is induced by ligand octahedra distortions. Extraction of a magnetic Hamiltonian from inelastic neutron scattering measurements supports this interpretation and allows us to establish an effective magnetic model. The resulting exchange Hamiltonian justifies ${\mathrm{CoGeO}}_3$ as a realization of an Ising spin ladder compound.

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• Density functional theory
• Inelastic neutron scattering
• Ising model
• Specific heat measurements
• Spin ladders
• Spin wave theory