Tsavorite’s History And Value

By Author: Kanu Priya Rathore
Total Articles: 50
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Tsavorite is one of the rarest varieties of the gemstone called garnet. Garnets are a family of gemstones that have similar physical properties but different chemical compositions.

Red garnets are the most famous. Infact, the word garnet found its origin in the 14th century Middle English word “gernet” meaning dark red. But over time, several other types and colors of garnets were discovered. Some major types of commercially viable garnets include cinnamon colored hessonite, decadent red pyrope, Purplish-pink rhodolite, burgundy almandine and midnight black melanite.

Tsavorite is a type of green grossular garnet which means it contains calcium and aluminum. Its chemical formula Ca3Al2Si3O12 can give you a sense of its complex make-up. Traces of vanadium and chromium are responsible for tsavorite’s vivid green color. It is counted among emerald, green sapphires, peridot and alexandrite, as one of the finest green gemstones in the world.

Campbell Bridges, a Scottish-born Kenyan gemologist discovered tsavorite in 1961. Campbell had ...
... been working with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and was trying to locate beryl deposits as beryllium was thought to be the best material for lining atomic reactors at the time. Instead, he stumbled upon some green crystals which turned out to be tsavorite. Tsavorite’s value was not recognized at once. In fact it was 6 years later when Campbell came across the gemstone for the second time: by the foothills of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
The green gemstone slowly came into the limelight as its pedigree was explored and its commercial potential became evident. It was named tsavorite after the Tsavo National Park, one of Africa's largest nature reserves, located in Kenya. The name is not only a link to the gemstone’s origins but also a homage to the vast African wilderness.

Tsavorite’s history with mankind may be brief, but the gemstone takes billions of years to form. Additionally, it is found exclusively in the continent of Africa. This rarity, combined with the unique green color and the remarkable brilliance of the gemstone engender very high demand. Consequently, tsavorite is one of the most expensive varieties of garnet.

Tsavorites with lower, lighter color grades are relatively more common. The deeply saturated, bright green tsavorites however, are difficult to come by. The gemstone is generally found in small sizes. A tsavorite weighing around 2 carats is considered extremely valuable. While prices can vary depending on other factors as well, one carat of high quality tsavorite can cost up to $8,000.

The largest and most expensive tsavorite on record is a clean, highly saturated vibrant green tsavorite weighing over 300 carats. It was discovered in east Africa, inspected by Dr. H. Hanni of The Swiss Gemological Institute and certified by Dr. A. Peretti at the Gem Research Swiss lab in Bangkok. It is valued around $2 million USD.

On the Mohs Scale of hardness tsavorite scores somewhere between 6.5 to 7.5. This indicates that tsavorite is pretty durable. Its high refractive index also adds luster to the gemstone, making it suitable for being set in jewelry. Tsavorites pair remarkably well with diamonds and designers often use this duo to create high end, state of the art jewelry. Gold and Platinum are usually the preferred choice of metals for tsavorite jewelry.

Tsavorite rings, bracelets, earrings and pendants are extremely popular, but some connoisseurs recognise that tsavorite’s value will continue to increase and choose to buy loose gemstones primarily as future investments.

It must be noted that high quality tsavorite is more affordable than high quality emerald and the two are very similar in appearance. Tsavorite can therefore be purchased for less, presenting an excellent alternative to emerald.

Kim Garth graduated with Honors in English literature. She is an author, an artist and a gem enthusiast. When she isn’t reading fiction or scribbling about rubies and sapphires, Kim makes severe (and embarrassing) efforts to impress the clique of stray cats in her neighborhood.