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Tsavorite Garnet
| Hardness | 7-7.5 |
| Specific gravity | 3.61 |
| Refractive index | 1.738-1.745 |
| Crystal system | 等軸晶系 |
Vivid yellow-green through pure spring green to deep forest green. The most prized tones are saturated pure greens without brown or yellow undertones.
- nclusions
- nclusions
- Often very clean — eye-clean stones are common
- Singly refractive — no
- No dichroism
- 01Vivid pure green with excellent clarity in a singly refractive stone is the tsavorite signature
- 02Inert under LW UV separates it from chrome-rich emerald (which often shows red)
- 03Refractive index near 1.74 separates it from emerald (1.58) and chrome diopside (1.67)
- Mohs 7–7.5 — durable for daily wear
- Ultrasonic and steam are generally safe; avoid them on heavily included stones
- No special storage requirements
Roughly $300–$1,500 per carat for commercial smaller stones, $2,000–$5,000 per carat for fine 1–3 ct material, and $7,000–$15,000+ per carat for top vivid greens over 5 carats.
Note: No standard treatments — tsavorite is sold as-mined. Clean stones over 2 carats are the market sweet spot; over 5 carats prices climb steeply. The biggest pricing variable is color saturation: a vivid pure green versus a duller yellowish or brownish green can differ by 5–10×.
Tsavorite is grossular garnet (Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃) tinted vivid green by trace chromium and vanadium. Unlike emerald, which is typically heavily included and oiled, tsavorite usually grows clean and is sold untreated. Kenya (Tsavo West, Taita-Taveta County) and Tanzania (Merelani, Komolo) supply the vast majority of the world's stones, with smaller production from Madagascar's Behara region.
Origins
The story begins in 1967, when Scottish-born geologist Campbell Bridges identified the first deposit in Tanzania's Komolo area. Three years later he found a richer extension across the border in Kenya, near the Tsavo National Park. The two countries still supply almost all production; Madagascar's Behara deposit is the only meaningful third source. Stones over 5 carats are extraordinarily rare from any of these deposits.
History
Campbell Bridges partnered with Tiffany & Co. chairman Henry Platt to commercialize the new gem in 1974 under the name 'tsavorite,' derived from the Kenyan park. It followed Tiffany's earlier introduction of tanzanite (1968) as the second 'made in Africa' brand discovery of the 20th century. Bridges was tragically killed in 2009 defending his mining claim from intruders — a story that has only added to the stone's cult following.
Lore & symbolism
January's birthstone alongside other garnets. Tsavorite has come to symbolise prosperity, family bonds, and new beginnings — themes that play well in modern bridal and milestone jewelry.
Tools to confirm this stone
Tools that help confirm Tsavorite Garnet. Tap any item to jump to the matching section on the gem tools page.
- 最終確認日
- 2026年4月28日
- 参 考 文 献
- Gem Encyclopedia／ GIA (Gemological Institute of America)
- 宝石鑑別基準／ 中央宝石研究所 (CGL)
- Mineral & Gem Database／ Mindat.org / Gemdat.org
- 宝石学入門／ 全国宝石学協会
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