Tsavorite

Tsavorite can be considered a "new" gemstone since it was unknown before its discovery in Kenya in the 1960s. It is a member of the garnet family group grossularite (a calcium-aluminum garnet Ca₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂) in which trace amounts of vanadium or chromium provide the green color.

The name "tsavorite" comes from the Tsavo area of Kenya where the gem was first found. It is also found in the bordering country of Tanzania and in Toliara (Tuléar) Province, Madagascar, but so far, no other occurances of gem material have been discovered.

This fine green gemstone is one of the most prized members of the garnet family, often rivaling fine sapphire and the like in price. The color ranges through the green hues, but the finest are equal in color to a fine quality emerald. Though far the less known of the two gems, the higher optical properties of tsavorite give it much greater brilliance and fire than emerald, making gems of similar clarity and color much more attractive than their beryl counterpart.

Rare in clean gems over 1 carat in weight, tsavorite has been found in sizes yielding up to 15 carat stones, but any gem of good color and clarity over 5 carats could be considered a "museum" quality gem, and would be highly prized by any collector.

References and external links

• Mineral Galleries
• Mindat.org
• Garnet Information at Mineral Miners