ES

Tsavorite

· 1 min read · Materials

Tsavorite is an intense green garnet (7-7.5 on Mohs) from Kenya and Tanzania, very brilliant and almost free of inclusions; an alternative to emerald.

Illustration: Tsavorite

Tsavorite is a green variety of garnet (grossular) discovered in the 1960s in Tanzania and Kenya. Its vivid green and brilliance make it a cleaner, more durable alternative to emerald.

Properties #

  • Composition: calcium aluminum silicate with vanadium or chromium.
  • Hardness: 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale.
  • Color: vivid green, from mint to forest green.
  • Origins: Kenya and Tanzania.
  • Treatments: not usually treated.

Uses in jewelry #

  • Everyday rings and pendants.
  • An alternative to emerald.
  • Vividly colored jewelry.

Pros and cons #

Advantages #

  • Very brilliant and clean.
  • Durable for everyday wear.
  • Not usually treated.

Limitations #

  • Large stones are rare and expensive.
  • Very limited origin.
  • Mistaken for other green gems.

Care and cleaning #

  • Clean with lukewarm water and mild soap.
  • Tolerates ultrasonic if no fractures.
  • Avoid hard knocks.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.