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General information

This fantastic brilliant green grossular garnet was discovered in Tanzania in 1968. In the early 70’s, tsavorite was also found in the Tsavo National Park in Kenya and in 1974, Tiffany & Co coined the name tsavorite. Shortly after, Tiffany & Co introduced the gem stone (tsavorite) to the world market.

Tsavorite is regarded as a highly valuable gem with production limited to East Africa . Tsavorite garnet has magnificent bright and sparkling properties. Its superb vivid green color attracts anyone’s eye, from the novice to the expert. Tsavorite is considered a rival for emerald because, as it is a garnet, it is a stone which is not “treatable”. The color of tsavorite is as it presents itself. There are no ways of enhancing tsavorite through artificial means like emerald. Tsavorite also has a relatively high refractive index.

Interestingly enough, there is an occasional pocket of tsavorite which comes out of the tanzanite mines. These green grossular garnets are generally bigger and cleaner than the tsavorites from Kenya . These tsavorites are also slightly paler and their hues are green mint which is why they are also referred to as “Mererani Mints”. These gems are very lively and their color seems to be unmatched within the gem world.

Our tsavorite

Tsavorite is one of our favorite gems. Mark and Eric Saul had the opportunity to mine tsavorite and they seized it. Swala Gem Traders' tsavorite mine is two hours south of Arusha, in a place called Lemshuko (the closest village is called Komolo and the deposit is sometimes referred to as the "Komolo tsavorite deposit"). Tsavorite, whose name derives from "Tsavo" (a famous location is southern Kenya) was actually discovered in Lemshuko. The Lemshuko tsavorite deposit is also considered as one of the nicest. This beautiful garnet is only mined in Kenya and Tanzania (although smaller gem quality tsavorite has been found in places such as Madagascar). Mining obviously gives Swala Gem Traders the opportunity to have access to tsavorite in all sizes and qualities. As wholesalers, we also buy tsavorite from other sources. Unsurprisingly, you will find that we offer amazing tsavorites.

Tsavorite's Chemistry: Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)³
System: Cubic
Hardness: 7 - 7.5
Density: 3.61
Ref. Index: 1.735
Pleochroism: Monochroic

Tsavorite on our Website:
Our Lemshuko tsavorite mine

Tsavorite on the internet:
Tsavorite Garnet on the ICA website
Le grenat tsavorite sur le site de l'ICA
View tsavorite information at www.mindat.org
Tsavorite by Wikipedia (in English)
Tsavorite by Wikipedia (in French)
Allaboutgemstones' tsavorite page

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