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Tsavorites

Harriet Kelsall describes the use of tsavorite in jewellery design as well as information about its properties and composition

Harriet Kelsall Portrait
Harriet Kelsall Portrait

Tzavourite Engagement Ring

Here at HKBespoke the love for green is great and is also evident in quite a lot of our consultations too. The vibrant green colour of Emerald is commonly asked for when green stones spring to mind. There are many alternatives, for example a tourmaline, a green sapphire, but the stone of the day…Tsavorite.

General Information

Tsavorite is famously known as the green garnet. The green garnet was originally discovered in east Africa back in the 60’s this particular stone when discovered was said to have completely transformed the industry during this decade. Around the same time that the Tsavorite was discovered the finding of equally beautiful gemstones were also discovered which to name a few were the rich raspberry red which can be seen in a rhodalite garnet, seen in my blog last week, the gorgeous orangey sunset tones which a Malaya garnet displays and the gorgeous purple blue luxurious colours which a tanzanite show. During the 60’s there was the great discovery of the gorgeous striking vibrant grossular green garnet which was founded in Tanzania in the late 60’s. Although east Africa was famously known for producing these gemstones they are also evident in the Kenyan border in the Taita Taveta district in the early 70’s. It was three years on from this point that the green garnet was then known as a Tsavorite which came from this nation park in Kenya, it was Tiffany and Co who introduced such a beauty into the gemstone industry.

Background Information

The true beauty about a Tsavorite is clearly the vibrancy in colour it displays and also has a great reflection to the most popular gemstone, emerald, but with the advantage of having the hardness of a garnet which makes it the ideal stone to be used in all types of jewellery. In the industry there are many different types of the green garnet, to name a couple are Demantoid and Uvaravite however, Tsavorite is the most famously known in the gem trade. When choosing a good quality Tsavorite the colour is very important to consider as it will reflect the overall value the gemstone holds. The very vivid deep green of the Tsavorite is rated under a type 2 by the GIA which means that gemstones found during this group will be regarded as naturally included, due to the beautiful colour and character this stone displays it’s not essential that the Tsavorite is loupe clean.

Occurrence

As above the source of Tsavorite is found along the East African bush where the mines currently produce in the more grassy areas, which run across the border of Kenya and Tanzania. This particular part of East Africa, many millions of year ago, was covered by ocean. During this time many layers of organic sediment have been distributed which lead to the form of shale. This land was then exposed to a very high temperature which changed the ocean floor into many new minerals. This development gave birth to a huge variety of stunning minerals produced in East Africa to date.

Mining large Tsavorite is very rare above 5cts and it’s very rare to find any larger than 2cts. As an average it will take approximately one ton of bearing rock to extract under 5cts of fine 1ct pieces, if any of these rough stones are over the 3ct mark these will usually be of very fine quality resulting in a very valuable stone.

Metaphysical Properties

Tsavorite helps us to understand our inner selves. It facilitates wisdom, helping the wearer to find and rule their own destiny. It strengthens psychic communication with the higher planes, and enhances channeling and visions.