Tsavorite Gemstone: information and Buying Guides

December 15, 2023

So, have you heard about Tsavorite Gemstone? This gem is a real showstopper in the world of gemstones, and let me tell you, it's quite the find. Often referred to as the King of Green Gemstones, Tsavorite is part of the vibrant Garnet family, but it's not your everyday garnet. What makes it stand out? It's all about that stunning green color - think of the richest, most vivid green you can imagine. And guess what? This gem is a bit of a newcomer, only discovered about half a century ago, but it has already made a big splash. It's not just its beauty that's fascinating; the story of how it was found is something straight out of an adventure novel.

Join us as we explore the allure of Tsavorite Gemstone, a gem that stands out not just for its stunning appearance but also for the captivating story behind its discovery and the unique place it holds in the gemstone kingdom.

Introduction to Tsavorite: The King of Green Gemstones

Also known as the King of Green Gemstones, the Tsavorite is a member of the colorful Garnet Family of Gemstones. Tsavorite. This isn't just any gemstone; it's the King of Green Gemstones. Part of the Garnet family, Tsavorite stands out with its rich, enchanting green that can give even emeralds a run for their money. But it's not just about the color. There's a whole story behind this gem that's as colorful as the stone itself.

You see, Tsavorite is relatively new to the scene. It was discovered just over half a century ago, but it quickly became a star in the gemstone universe. Why? Well, it's not every day that a gemstone comes along that combines such vibrant beauty with a fascinating backstory. The discovery of Tsavorite is a tale of adventure, serendipity, and a bit of geological magic. It's a stone that tells a story of millions of years, from its formation deep in the earth to the moment it was first uncovered by human hands.

And let's not forget, Tsavorite rarity adds to its allure. This gem isn't found just anywhere; it has a very specific home, which makes it all the more special. Plus, it's part of a family that's known for its diversity and colorfulness – the Garnet family. But within that family, Tsavorite shines with its own unique light.

Tsavorite Gemstone Pricing and Rarity

It is also one of the most popular and expensive varieties of green garnets – its sister-stone being the green Demantoid Garnet – whose price is determined by carat size; example, stones up to one carat are common, therefore cheaper, whereas pieces over 2 carats, being rare, the price jumps dramatically and those with that deep green emerald-like color will fetch the highest prices.

Geological and Historical Significance

In terms of age or comparison with many other gemstones, the Tsavorite is a NEW or YOUNG stone – only 52 years this year since its discovery by Scottish geologist Campbell Bridges first in Tanzania and later in Kenya in 1967 – but in geological terms or gem history it is a very OLD stone whose formation began millions of years ago, even before dinosaurs walked the earth, when the continents were being compressed into what we know today.

Tsavorite Gemstone Formation and Scarcity

That movement, according to geologists, combined with high temperatures and tremendous pressure so damaged the early formation of the Tsavorite that today only fragments, usually no larger than 5 carats, have been discovered. And, to compound the problem of scarcity, the Tsavorite garnet has been found in only one place in the world on the bush-land border of Kenya and Tanzania in Africa.

Tsavorite Gemstone Color

Tsavorite color is green, all shades of green from bright yellowish-green to deep green or bluish-green to various shades of green – grass green, natural green, vivid green, emerald green – with the most desirable color being a fresh, vivid, brilliant emerald green that can easily rival that of the Emerald, which accounts for Tsavorite often being mistakenly identified as an Emerald. As well as color, though, there are distinct differences between these 2 beautiful gemstones:

1. The Tsavorite is a natural stone, never treated or heated in any way whereas the Emerald is routinely oiled and sometimes glass filled.
2. Tsavorite is more durable than an Emerald that chips easily.
3. Tsavorite being rare – 200 times rarer than an Emerald – and scarce – having one only location – is more valuable than an Emerald yet sells for about 1/4 the cost of the Emerald.
4. Having a higher refractive index, a Tsavorite has a greater brilliance than an Emerald.
5. A Tsavorite sparkles while the Emerald is dull needing polishing.
6. The Tsavorite is more robust than the Emerald meaning it won’t easily splinter or crack when being set or worn.
7. A Tsavorite is a Garnet; an Emerald is a Beryl, so no connection at all. In terms of hardness – the Mohs Scale – they are both about the same: Emerald 7.5-8; Tsavorite 7-7.5 but the Tsavorite being the more durable of the two is the better choice for a ring, even an engagement ring because of its value and scarcity.

True Story of the Tsavorite Discovery

As I said above, the year was 1967 when Campbell Bridges was prospecting in Zimbabwe where he saw a range of hills with geological characteristics he had never before seen. So intent was he in his examination or observation of those hills that he forgot to look down or at the surrounding area. where, on one side, there was a steep ravine.

What happened next was sheer chance or the subject of a good film: a large Cape Buffalo charged out of the bush forcing Bridges to leap into the ravine to save his life. The ravine, fortunately, was too steep for the buffalo to follow so Bridges started walking along the bottom of the ravine, while the buffalo followed him on the top ridge. Continuing his prospecting he eventually arrived at the range of hills with the unique geology that had so preoccupied him he didn’t see the buffalo.

There, he saw a flashing green glint, the likes of which he had never seen before. He removed a sample and thus was the first known discovery of Tsavorite so named for Tsavo National Park in Kenya. This was Bridges’ choice for the beautiful green garnet to honor Kenya for taking him in, being good to him, and allowing him to make his home there.

Tsavorite in Culture and Jewelry

Would you not agree with me that this is the stuff of novels and movies that could easily rival any of the Indiana Jones movies? If yes, and you have a bent for writing and/or a dream of becoming a scriptwriter, the discovery of the Tsavorite Garnet could be your ticket to fame and fortune, and it’s all true.

January Birthstone

Garnet is the birthstone for January; the zodiacal stone for Aquarius, and the second wedding anniversary stone. That gorgeous green color of the Tsavorite could also easily make it the zodiacal stone for Cancer or a substitute for the Emerald, May’s birthstone given its color likeness to the Emerald.

Also, where January’s birthstone is concerned, the Tsavorite, also being a garnet, would be another birthstone choice because no one ever said it had to be the red variety of garnet. Or, if you’re creative why not put the two together in a piece uniquely yours?

Myths and Beliefs

With Tsavorite being a YOUNG stone, only 52 years old making it, in geological terms, a mere infant, we cannot really expect there to be many myths associated with it. That assumption, however, might well be wrong for there are those who claim the Tsavorite does indeed have certain powers, i.e. providing the wearer with strength, vitality, and a positive rather than negative disposition or attitude. Additionally, there is the belief that the Tsavorite has the power to aid, support, or improve one’s immune system; respiration, metabolism, and detoxification. And, in the Hindu traditional belief systems, the Tsavorite is associated with Anahata, the heart chakra, that relates to love, compassion, decision making, and psychic healing.

That the Tsavorite is a Garnet, we can also include myths and beliefs associated with the Garnet:

1. It is the perfect stone if one wants to succeed in business.
2. It encourages compassion and self-confidence.
3. Has the ability to heal the blood and improve circulation.
4. Has long been thought of as ‘a traveler’s stone’ and myth has it that the biblical Noah (Noah’s Ark) used a garnet lantern to help navigate the Ark during the night.

The Tsavorite belongs to the Garnet Family of Gemstones and like the Green Garnet it is sometimes mistakenly identified as an emerald because its color is similar to that of an emerald though with a greater brilliance than the emerald. It is also more robust than the emerald, measuring 7.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, meaning it will not easily splinter or crack when being set or worn.

Like the Zultanite, the Tsavorite is a NEW gemstone having been discovered less than 50 years ago first in Tanzania and later in Kenya and it is also a YOUNG stone despite its lengthy geological history. The story of its discovery is better than any Hollywood script and therefore, in my opinion, would make an extremely entertaining movie so, to all of you out there who like to write who have aspirations of being a scriptwriter, the discovery of the Tsavorite could be your ticket to fame and fortune.

Also Read: Tsavorite vs Emerald: A Gemstone Showdown

If you haven’t seen it, I urge you to visit LL Private Jewellers for an unforgettable eye candy experience and while you’re there you could validate the old legends that claimed the Tsavorite garnet can NEVER be hidden but is rather visible even through clothing.