Tsavorite Garnet

Tsavorite is East Africa's finest green garnet, a vivid grossular variety
that rivals emerald in colour but surpasses it in brilliance and durability.
Named after Kenya's Tsavo National Park, it represents one of the most
important garnet discoveries of the modern era.

The story of tsavorite's emergence:

• Year: 1967 (Tanzania); 1971 (Kenya)
• Discoverer: Campbell Bridges (Scottish geologist)
• Name: After Tsavo National Park, Kenya
• Species: Grossular garnet (green variety)
• Tragedy: Bridges was killed in 2009 defending his mine

Primary mining locations:

What makes tsavorite special:

• Colour: Green (vanadium and/or chromium chromophore)
• Saturation: Can rival finest emerald
• Clarity: Often cleaner than emerald
• Hardness: 7-7.5 (more durable than emerald)
• No treatment: Virtually always natural colour
• Single refraction: Higher brilliance than emerald
• Size limitation: Rare above 2-3 carats

Understanding tsavorite colours:

• Finest: Vivid, saturated green comparable to emerald
• Medium: Attractive green, good commercial material
• Light: Mint green; less valuable but appealing
• Yellowish-green: Lower grades; still attractive
• Chromophore effect: Vanadium vs chromium affects exact hue

Tsavorite in today's gem market:

• Value: Fine stones rival emerald prices
• Advantage: No treatment required or expected
• Appeal: Clean, brilliant alternative to emerald
• Collector interest: Strong for fine specimens
• Trade recognition: Well-established in gem trade