The Untamed Beauty of Tsavorite Garnets

 When we talk about gems, we think of stones that have been known to mankind for centuries, set into crowns and adornments of royal families since ancient times. On the other hand, Tsavorite garnet is one of the most recent discoveries in the area of gemology. It is a semi-precious gemstone and belongs to the Grossular Garnet mineral family that is naturally bright green in color. This semi-precious gemstone is becoming increasingly sought-after among collectors, jewelry enthusiasts, and gem-lovers due to its amazing look, enormous rarity, and exceptional durability. It is also the modern birthstone for the month of January.

Though deep red garnets are the most well-known, they can be found in a number of colors, including orange, purple, and – most notably – green. Tsavorite are green garnets named after the Tsavo National Park in Kenya, near the Tanzanian border. Meanwhile, Tsavorite is also a practical stone for daily wear. Emerald, on the other hand, isn't particularly tough. Indeed, emerald is so brittle that it is not recommended to be set in a ring for daily wear as it can easily chip. Tsavorite, which has a hardness of 7.5 on the Mohs scale, does not have this issue. So, if you're drawn to green gems but are clumsy, a tsavorite garnet is a better choice than an emerald.

Tsavorite – History:

Tsavorite has become one of most popular gemstones due to its rich history, even though its beauty was enough to enchant anyone. Campbell Bridges, an environmentalist and animal conservationist, discovered the first green grossular deposit in Tanzania's isolated mountains in 1967 while exploring near Komolo hamlet in the Lelatema Hills. Later, he hired many Masai villagers to engineer and operate the mines. They followed the first deposit into Kenya, where they continue mining near Tsavo East National Park, which is named after the mineral tsavorite. Shortly after that, Tanzania's government embraced socialism, making commercial mining unfeasible. On the other hand, Bridges continued his hunt in Kenya, hoping to find more of the same stone. He was successful yet again in 1971, when he discovered traces of Natural Tsavorite Garnet and was granted permission this time. Except for a few mineral experts, the Tsavorite gemstone remained relatively unknown at that time. Tiffany and Co. started a marketing campaign around the Tsavorite Garnet gemstone in 1974, which increased its publication and recognition.

Tsavorite garnet prices have risen dramatically in the 50 years after its discovery, especially in recent years. When Campbell Bridges died in 2009, his son Bruce Bridges estimated that the gem's value would rise by 800 percent in the following seven years. A few small deposits of Tsavorite have been found in other locations such as in Madagascar, Pakistan, and Antarctica, but never on the scale of the East African mines. Tsavorite began to form millions of years ago beneath the sea in an ancient rock belt. This mesmerizing stone was created by tremendous temperatures and pressure as the earth's plates shifted and the continent developed. It's no wonder that this stone was quickly compared to the famous emerald due to its vibrant, pure green color that didn't require any treatment.  The amount of chromium or vanadium in the gemstone's chemical composition is responsible for its vivid green color. It showcases a fluorescent light cream-yellow color when exposed to ultraviolet light. When orienting the rough, tsavorite doesn’t have any effect due to pleochroism because it is a singularly refractive gem. As a result, the cutter can keep a higher yield, which is a clear benefit over doubly refractive stones, where the optimal hue is dictated by orientation, which can result in significant loss of weight. Tsavorite is a combination of all three - beauty, durability, and rarity. Let's look at it more closely.

Tsavorite – The Untamed Beauty:

Tsavorites are popular for their untamed beauty and brilliance. Although less popular than emeralds, these beautiful gemstones have a lot to offer. These rare gems are less expensive than emeralds, have fewer flaws, shine as much as diamond, have a naturally vibrant hue, and are durable enough for even the clumsiest of collectors. There are only a few gemstones that can claim to have all of these qualities. So you can see why the stone was termed "the untamed green garnet beauty" by famous gemologists Richard Hughes and Vincent Tardieu.

Apart from this, Tsavorite carries an interesting story behind its name. Modern mineralogical nomenclature demanded the naming of gemstones to be ended in "ite." Henry Platt, the former president of Tiffany & Co, who accompanied the diamonds' rise to prominence, suggested the name Tsavorite to honor the Tsavo National Game Park and the Tsavo River that runs through this area. Tzavolith is sometimes pronounced instead of Tsavorite; however they both refer to the same stone. The word "lith" is derived from the Greek word "stone."

Spiritual Benefits of Tsavorite:

The majority of Loose Natural Tsavorite Green Garnet gemstones originate from Kenya, with the Grossular varieties being the most energetically focused. It resembles wealth and abundance. Tsavorite Garnet is a gemstone that brings fortitude to those going through difficult times in life. Because it is linked to the heart chakra, it also has a variety of emotional advantages. It enhances good aspects of life, such as financial stability, creativity, artistic abilities, and physical health. Tsavorite boosts vitality and enthusiasm while cleaning the heart chakra. It has a strong visual appeal and hence attracts attention quickly. The Tsavorite Garnet gemstone, which is often used in rings and jewelry, can provide the above-mentioned benefits while also uplifting one's life.

Conclusion:

We should consider ourselves fortunate to live in an era when tsavorite was discovered and lovingly shared with the rest of the world. Don't be hesitant to add tsavorite to your gemstone collection or to make it your first investment. From a vast variety, you can find or design an ethically mined piece to enjoy and pass on to your loved ones.