Tsavorite Garnet
Everything you need to know
3.02ct Tsavorite Garnet Ring designed by The Sapphire Merchant
Table of Contents
- What is a Tsavorite Garnet?
- The Discovery and Naming of Tsavorite Garnet
- The Geography and Rarity Of Tsavorite Garnet
- Common Inclusions in Tsavorite Garnet
- Tsavorite Garnet: January's Birthstone
- Tsavorite Garnet Price Guide
- Tsavorite Garnets for Sale
"Tsavorite is everything that emerald is supposed to be, without the problems." ~ Henry B. Platt, former president of Tiffany & Co.
1. What is a Tsavorite Garnet?
Here at The Sapphire Merchant, we adore Tsavorite Garnet, and this love is reflected in our ever-growing Tsavorite gemstone collection. As one of Earth's rarest and most extraordinary precious gemstones, Tsavorite Garnet has earned its place in the hearts of gem collectors and jewellery connoisseurs for its visual beauty, durability and rarity. A member of the grossular garnet group, Tsavorite is famous for its bright bluish-green to yellowish-green colour that rivals the finest emeralds. Over the past decade, Tsavorite garnet has experienced a meteoric rise, with prices rivalling fine sapphires, rubies and emeralds. One of the most perfect precious gemstones available today, this blog will teach you everything you need to know about your favourite green Garnet.
Merelani Mint Garnet
A Merelani Mint Garnet is a variety of green Grossular garnet, distinguished by its soft, minty-green hue. Though it is lighter than traditional Tsavorite, it is nonetheless still classified as a Tsavorite Garnet by GIA. What sets Merelani Mint Garnet apart is its delicate pastel tone, often described as a blend of fresh spring green with a hint of icy brilliance. Unlike Tsavorite, which typically displays a deeper forest green thanks to chromium or vanadium content, Merelani Mint owes its refreshing hue to a more subtle presence of vanadium, with very low iron content, allowing the colour to remain light and luminous.
The Science of Tsavorite Garnet
Tsavorite garnet is a mineral composed primarily of calcium, aluminium, and silicate and forms in the cubic (isometric) crystal system. Tsavorite's structure is tightly bound, lending it both brilliance and durability. Like an Emerald, its vivid green hue is attributed to trace amounts of vanadium or chromium, though its chemical composition and crystal formation differ. Tsavorite's natural intensity of colour, with its high refractive index and clarity, makes it one of Earth's most treasured green gemstones.
Chemical Composition: Calcium Aluminium Silicate Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
Crystal System: Cubic
Refractive Index: 1.73 to 1.75
Specific Gravity: 3.40 to 3.80
Double Refraction: None (Singly refractive)
Mohs Hardness: 7.25
Lustre: Vitreous
Tsavorite Garnet Rough Crystal - sometimes reffered to as a 'potatoe' by miners
2. The Discovery and Naming of Tsavorite Garnet
Tsavorite garnet was first discovered in 1968 by the late Campbell R. Bridges, a British gem prospector and geologist, in the mountains of Simanjiro District of north-east Tanzania. This singular deposit of Tsavorite garnets with exceptional colour and clarity created excitement throughout the gemstone community; however, the Tanzanian government would not issue a permit to export the new find. Convinced that the geological formation extended beyond the original deposit and into neighbouring Kenya, Campbell Bridges expanded his exploration efforts across the border. His instincts proved correct, and by 1971, he had successfully located Tsavorite on the Kenyan side and secured official mining rights to begin extracting the vivid green garnet from this new deposit.
Campbell knew he had discovered something special and worked tirelessly to raise the profile of Tsavorite alongside Tanzanite, both unique gemstones of East African origin. These efforts were greatly aided by Harry B. Platt, the president of Tiffany & Co., who was instrumental in branding both coloured gemstones and creating a demand in the North American market for them. It was Platt who selected the name Tsavorite, inspired by the Tsavo National Park in Kenya, where it was discovered. He also renamed Tanzanite from its original 'blue zoisite'. Platt famously said, "Tsavorite is everything that emerald is supposed to be—without the problems." This speaks volumes about Platts's thoughts regarding Tsavorite's vibrant green colour, remarkable brilliance, and superior durability compared to emerald, which often suffers from heavy inclusions and brittleness. Platt was so taken by the gem that Tiffany & Co. launched Tsavorite into the world in 1974, giving it the prestige it holds today.
Buying Tsavorite Garnets at the Chanthaburi Gems Market in Thailand
Buying Tsavorite Garnets at the Chanthaburi Gems Market in Thailand
Inspecting a Tsavorite Garnet at the Chanthaburi Gems Market in Thailand
3. The Geography and Rarity of Tsavorite Garnet
What makes Tsavorite Garnet so unique in the world of coloured gemstones? Mined only in a small region of Eastern Africa, specifically in Kenya and Tanzania, Tsavorite garnets are extremely rare and difficult to find in larger carat sizes. Unlike many gemstones that are obtainable from multiple origins, such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds, Tsavorite's geological origins are confined to a tiny area of Tanzania and Kenya, the Merelani Hills, near Arusha. The harsh conditions under which these garnets form often cause damage to the crystal structure, breaking down the crystal sizing. This means that only a small portion of mined Tsavorite Garnets are suitable for cutting into gemstones of notable size. It's rare to find Tsavorite Garnets larger than 2 carats in weight. The majority of Tsavorite crystals are tiny, often under 0.5 carats in weight. These small crystals are typically found in veins or pockets within the earth. The discovery of larger, gem-quality Tsavorites is truly a special event for miners who are working on the front line to unearth these beautiful garnets. Larger Tsavorite Garnet rough material is exceptionally rare, and finding larger crystals is often a miner's career highlight.
Tsavo National Park in Kenya
4. Common Inclusions in Tsavorite Garnet
Fingerprint Inclusion in Tsavorite Garnet
This inclusion is a healed fracture, or more poetically named, a "fingerprint" inclusion, a natural signature often found in Tsavorite garnets. This inclusion is born from the crystal's journey of growth and resilience. A fissure or crack appeared within the gem at some stage during formation. Over time, mineral-rich fluids seep into the opening, dissolving the sharp edges and beginning a delicate internal repair process. As the crystal heals, these fluids redeposit dissolved minerals along the fracture walls. The result? A pattern of fluid-filled, angular cavities, each a tiny negative crystal, aligning in a way that resembles the whorls and loops of a human fingerprint.
Needle Inclusions in Tsavorite Garnet
Inclusions are a natural hallmark of Tsavorite garnet, and among the most frequently encountered are fine needle-like structures, typically composed of minerals such as rutile or actinolite. These slender threads are not imperfections but evidence of another mineral growing in harmony within the garnet crystal as it formed. In contrast, other internal features, such as the soft, misty clouds seen in some specimens, are often the result of tiny garnet crystals of a different variety or even trapped gases that crystallise into geometric forms during a slow cooling process. These inclusions tell a story of the gem's formation, temperature shifts, and chemical environment deep within the Earth.
Parallel Growth Tubes in Tsavorite Garnet
Tsavorite garnets can often contain parallel growth tubes, which form in alignment with the crystal's internal architecture. These fine, linear structures typically run parallel to the C-axis of the crystal, reflecting the orderly rhythm of its growth deep within the Earth. Their formation occurs as the Garnet crystallises under intense heat and pressure, where subtle variations in chemistry or fluid flow can create elongated channels or hollow tubes. While these inclusions are microscopic, they show the disciplined structure of the gem's isometric crystal system. In some cases, light entering the gem may interact with these internal features, producing soft silkiness or even a gentle sheen. Far from detracting from the beauty of Tsavorite, these growth tubes offer a rare glimpse into the stone's natural history, markings of time, temperature, and tectonic energy woven into the Tsavorite's inner world.
5. Tsavorite Garnet: January's Birthstone
Garnet is both the traditional and modern birthstone for January, however, most people are familiar with the red hue that garnets typically exhibit and this is what comes to mind when they think about a garnet birthstone. Tsavorite Garnet offers a unique alternative for those born in January, providing a fresh option for birthstone jewellery. Those born in January can now enjoy the vivid green of Tsavorite, a gemstone that symbolises strength, passion, and vitality. For anyone seeking a personalised piece of jewellery that reflects their birthstone, The Sapphire Merchant can assist you in sourcing the perfect Tsavorite garnet. With an eye for heirloom-quality gemstones, we are passionate about helping you find the ideal gemstone that can be crafted into a meaningful and unique piece of jewellery that will be cherished for generations to come.
Tsavorite Garnet or Emerald?
Tsavorite garnets are renowned for their vivid green colour and are a worthy rival to the finest emeralds. Going head to head with Emerald, Tsavorite holds its own against the heavyweight of the gemstone world. Tsavorite garnet is rated 7.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, slightly less hard than an Emerald's 7.50. Emeralds have imperfect cleavage and poor toughness, whereas Tsavorite's have no cleavage and good toughness, making them more durable, resilient and less prone to chipping than Emeralds, which are notoriously brittle. Emeralds dry over time, giving them dullness in colour and should be regularly oiled, whereas Tsavorite Garnet maintains a brilliant sparkle without maintenance. Much like Emerald's, when it comes to quality, there are significant variations from gemstone to gemstone. Only a small fraction, less than 1%, of Tsavorite Garnets mined are considered exceptional, with intense, vivid green hues and perfect clarity. While most Tsavorites contain some inclusions due to the conditions under which they were formed, top-quality stones are known for their minimal inclusions. Clean Tsavorites, which feature few or no visible inclusions, are highly coveted and challenging to find, making them especially valuable in the market. Emeralds are almost impossible to find with perfect clarity. As the esteemed Harry B. Platt expressed, if you want the Emerald aesthetic with a more durable gemstone, that is technically rarer, then look no further than a Tsavorite Garnet.
Tsavorite Garnet Ring
We discovered this exceptional Tsavorite Garnet during a 2024 sourcing trip to Bangkok, Thailand, the global heart of the coloured gemstone trade. Its impressive 3.02 carat weight, remarkable clarity, and superb cut and polish immediately caught our attention. Tsavorite's of this calibre are a rare find, and it was clear this one belonged in our curated collection of natural treasures. The centrepiece of an extraordinary ring, this Tsavorite is encircled by 204 D Colour VVS diamonds, meticulously set in 18k white gold. The pear-shaped diamond halo adds a radiant frame, amplifying the gemstone’s vivid green brilliance. This bespoke design is a creation of The Sapphire Merchant, brought to life by our master jeweller with the utmost precision and care.
6. Tsavorite Garnet Price Guide
The interplay of colour, clarity, carat size and craftsmanship determines the value of Tsavorite Garnet. The most coveted Tsavorites are a vivid, richly saturated green, reminiscent of emerald, yet with a fiery brilliance that garnet is synonymous with. These deep greens, particularly those with an openness of colour, command the highest prices. Clarity is equally important. As with all coloured gemstones, eye-clean specimens (those with minimal visible inclusions) are significantly more valuable. Larger carat sizes are extremely rare and highly prized, particularly in high-clarity stones. Tsavorite is never heated or treated, a rarity in the world of coloured gems.
Here is our Tsavorite Garnet price guide. Many nuanced factors influence the value of each stone, including colour intensity, clarity and cut precision. For example, a flawless 3ct Tsavorite with a vivid forest green hue will differ significantly in value from a 3ct Tsavorite, which is paler in colour and has some light inclusions. Our guide is intended to be just that, a guide.
7. Tsavorite Garnet's For Sale
Tsavorite garnet is a gemstone of exceptional colour, brilliance, and rarity. Whether you are drawn to its vivid green hues, its durability, or the thrilling idea of owning a rare gemstone from one of the most remote corners of the earth, Tsavorite garnet offers a wealth of reasons to invest. For those looking to create custom jewellery that reflects personal significance or to acquire a gemstone that will become a treasured heirloom, the Tsavorite garnet is a perfect choice.
At The Sapphire Merchant, we specialise in sourcing the finest gemstones for those who appreciate the beauty and rarity of these natural wonders. Allow us the priveledge of guiding you through the process of selecting the perfect Tsavorite garnet for your custom jewellery piece, and experience the joy of owning a gemstone that embodies the spirit of Africa's rich landscapes and centuries of geological history.
Tsavorite Garnet
Explore our collection of natural Tsavorite garnets, meticulously curated to ensure exceptional quality and brilliance. Dreaming of a Tsavorite engagement ring or custom jewellery piece? Our Tsavorites offer the ideal foundation for your vision. Choose your Tsavorite and design your jewellery piece with The Sapphire Merchant.