Tsavorite Garnet Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Tsavorite (sometimes called tsavolite) is the emerald green-colored variety of grossular garnet. First discovered in Tanzania in 1967, the gem became popular via a marketing campaign by Tiffany & Co. in the 1970s. With emerald-like color, tsavorite is one of the most popular and expensive varieties of garnet. This gemstone can be faceted into many designs and can be used in rings, pendants, necklaces, and earrings.
Tsavorite Value
Clean, quality tsavorite, rough or faceted, is not difficult to find. However, pieces over two carats are rare, and the price per carat jumps at that size. Stones up to one carat are common.
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Tsavorite Information
| Data | Value |
| Name | Tsavorite |
| Is a Variety of | Grossular |
| Crystallography | Isometric. |
| Refractive Index | 1.72–1.744 |
| Colors | Yellow green, green, deep green |
| Luster | Greasy to vitreous. |
| Polish Luster | Vitreous. |
| Fracture | Conchoidal, uneven |
| Hardness | 7–7.5 |
| Specific Gravity | 3.55–3.73 |
| Birefringence | None. |
| Cleavage | None |
| Dispersion | 0.028 |
| Luminescence | Usually none in ultraviolet light (UV). Some specimens may fluoresce weakly golden yellow under shortwave (SW) or longwave (LW) UV, yellowish green or pink under SW UV, or orangish under LW UV. All massive material glows orange in X-rays, as do many faceted gems. |
| Wearability | Good |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent. |
| Absorption Spectrum | A trace of almandine garnet may produce a faint iron spectrum. A trace of Cr may produce a chrome spectrum in green grossular varieties. Massive grossular may show a weak line at 4610 or a band at 6300. Green, massive grossular from Pakistan shows a line at 6970 (weak) with weak lines in the orange, plus a strong band at 6300 and diffuse lines at 6050 and 5050. |
| Birthstone | January. |
| Formula | Ca3Al2Si3O12 + V, Cr |
| Pleochroism | None. |
| Optics | Isotropic. May show anomalous birefringence. |
| Etymology | Named after Tsavo National Park, Kenya. |
| Occurrence | Grossular garnets occur in metamorphosed, impure calcareous rocks, especially contact zones; also in schists and serpentines. |
| Inclusions | Fluids, asbestos fibers, rows of negative crystals. |
Comments
Tsavorite receives its prized green color from traces of vanadium (principally) and chromium. Although these gemstones have color that rivals emeralds, they have a higher dispersion and greater brilliance than emeralds and can match their hardness, usually without inclusions. Tsavorites generally do not require protective jewelry settings.
Tsavorite from Lualenyi, Kenya has N = 1.743 and specific gravity of 3.61 (mean). Inert in UV light, it contains a trace of chromium and a significant amount of vanadium.
Synthetics
Tsavorite has not been synthesized. However, green glass as well as green yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG), a synthetic garnet, have been used as simulants.
Enhancements
These gemstones do not normally receive any treatments or enhancements, which makes them very desirable to collectors and enthusiasts of natural gems.
Sources
Commercial sources in Tanzania, Kenya, and Madagascar. Small deposits have been found in Pakistan and Queen Maud Land, Antarctica.
Sizes
Clean gems over one carat are rare. However, in 2006, a tsavorite crystal weighing 925 cts (185 g) was discovered in Tanzania. It yielded an oval, brilliant step-cut 325-ct gem. This is likely the largest clean specimen ever discovered.
Care
Gems with fluid inclusions should not be cleaned with mechanical systems or exposed to extreme heat. The use of warm water, detergent, and a soft brush is the recommended cleaning method for all garnets. Consult our gem care guide and jewelry cleaning guide for more information.
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