Tsavorite (tsavorite): properties and uses of a stone of harmony and well-being

Tsavorite (also known as tsavorite, tsavorite, tsavolite) is a fairly rare green garnet that is mined in Africa. The name Tsavorite was invented by G. Platt, the owner of the world famous jewelry company Tiffany & Co.

The same company began advertising the amazing African green pomegranate. Thanks to this, although tsavorite is practically unknown in the CIS countries, jewelry with this stone has become quite widespread in Europe and the USA.

At first glance, Tsavorite can easily be confused with emerald, but in fact they have quite a lot of differences:

1. Tsavorite is 200 times rarer than emerald and is a less dense mineral. This means that it is easier to process.
2. Tsavorite is classified as a garnet in composition. It is a silicate of calcium and aluminum, and vanadium and chromium give the green color to the stone. So another name for tsavorite is “vanadium garnet”.
3. The color palette of green garnet is wider than that of emerald. You can find both tsavorites of soft green shades, the color of young grass, and rich green stones. Sometimes tsavorites are found with a blue-green tint.

History of tsavorite

Tsavorite is one of three precious minerals (plus tanzanites and Paraiba tourmalines) discovered in the second half of the 20th century.

His story is like a detective story:

• The first bright green, emerald-like stones were found in 1967 in Tanzania by Kenyan gemologist of Scottish origin, Cambell Bridge.
• However, it was prohibited to remove gems from there. Unlike neighboring Kenya. Here, in the Tsavo National Park, sparkling stones were also found. The park went down in the history of jewelry art along with the mineral. It was dubbed tsavorite, which is as close as possible to the local sound.
• Campbell Bridge and the Tiffany jewelry house are considered the godparents of the stone. It was the gemologist who charmed the company’s representatives with the gem. That meeting turned out to be fateful: after some seven years, the Tiffany brand made him a favorite. And the owner of the company, Henry Platt, came up with a name for the stone.
• Africans claim that a pebble has the ability to “hide” from people. Therefore, it is not a fact that you can see him a second time in the same place.

The English term is tsavorite, Russian variants: tsavorite, tsavorite, tsavolite.

History and deposits of the mineral

According to the official version, the gem was discovered in 1967 by Kenyan gemologist Campbell Bridges.

An interesting fact is that Campbell Bridges eventually paid with his life for his discovery. African tribes did not forgive scientists for mining gems on their lands and raided the researchers’ camps. During the next invasion, the discoverer was wounded, which is why he soon died.

In 1974, the stone was named tsavorit, hence the English spelling - tsavorite. The mineral got its name thanks to Henry Platt, head of Tiffany & Co. It comes from the name of the stone deposit.

Tiffany & Co played a significant role in the further history of the stone. She gave introductory lectures and presentations on the gem. Towards the end of the twentieth century, the breed became known throughout the world.

There are only 3 known countries on the planet where the breed can be found:

• Tanzania;
• Kenya;
• Uganda.

Uganda is not considered an official place for gem mining, despite the fact that there are deposits there. The rock is not mined in this country due to difficulties associated with the climate and terrain.

To watch a mineral lover’s vlog about a discovery in the mountains:

Physico-chemical characteristics

On the chemical scale, tsavorite is an oxide of calcium and aluminum. The rich green color is due to vanadium and chromium in the crystals.

The high hardness and density of the gem ensures the strength of the structure: defects such as cracking, chipping, and “lumpy” are rare.

To a mineralogist, tsavorite is a transparent, precious variety of grossular garnet.

Tsavorite and emerald

The similarity of color plus the name of the deposit and composition gave rise to other names for tsavorite - Kenyan, vanadium emerald.

But these are different stones:

• Emerald is a type of beryl, while tsavorite is a type of garnet.
• The color of tsavorite is richer than emerald - from delicate light green to thick dark green.
• Impurities can give green stone brownish, bluish or grayish tints.
• Tsavorite value scale: the brighter the shade, the better.

Green garnet is found 250–300 times less frequently than emerald.

Color palette

Tsavorite has no separately identified varieties. The main color of the stone is only one – green. However, the variety of shades of this color in tsavorite exceeds the number of colors in emerald. Each deposit is characterized by the extraction of a specific shade of stone:

• Tanzania is rich in examples of such tones as light green, grassy, ​​and deep green.
• Most Kenyan stones are dark green.
• Madagascar specimens are similar in shade to Kenyan specimens, but larger nuggets are found there.

A characteristic feature of tsavorite is its gray or brown tint due to the content of additional impurities. There are also yellowish-green or bluish-green specimens. The cost of an African emerald is, first of all, determined by the color saturation - the brighter, the more expensive.

Where is the mineral used?

Tsavorite is taken by jewelers; it is used only in the premium segment:

• Tsavorites are present in the jewelry of first-line jewelry and fashion houses: Chopard, Tiffany, Chaumet.
• The stone is in the Emotion collection (2013) by Faberge.
• Cutting is carried out by masters from Kenya, Tanzania, and Germany. Their mission is to preserve the outlines of the crystals as much as possible.
• Tsavorite is especially good in a white setting: platinum and white gold. Although it looks luxurious with silver.
• Its jewelry neighbors are diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and zircons.

Among the admirers of the Kenyan emerald was Grace Kelly, a Hollywood diva who became the Princess of Monaco in 1956.

Ring with tsavorite

To whom and how is the stone suitable?

This choice is the prerogative of wealthy, discerning people who feel like future celebrities.

The stone is framed with a white frame, usually silver. The jewelry turns out to be coldly sophisticated and this makes it even more attractive.

Even a few pieces with tsavorite do not create a feeling of loudness or overload with glitter.

Therefore, jewelry is good at any time of the day. During the day, the richness of color and shine appears in all its glory. They look aristocratic at an evening reception.

Green-eyed or gray-eyed ladies are best suited. If the eye color is different, buy a matching wardrobe to match the stones.

How to care

You need to care for tsavorites like other garnets:

1. Contacts of the stone with liquids are limited.
2. Direct sun is acceptable, but not for long, otherwise the stones will fade.
3. Contaminated products are immersed in lightly salted or soapy water for 10–12 minutes. If necessary, wipe with a soft brush and rinse with running water. Immediately dry with a soft cloth and polish with suede/velvet cloth.
4. An annual professional cleaning will be helpful.

Gold and silver jewelry used for magical or medicinal purposes should not be washed too diligently or often. This weakens the energy field.

Price

Russian online stores offer a wide range of products and stones (price/rub.):

• oval-cut stone (9.3x7.2 mm; 2.1 carats) – 162,500;
• untreated agglomerate (15x20x23 mm) – 3,600;
• silver ring – 4,900.

Jewelry with tsavorite

The world price of bright green tsavorites is from $10 thousand per carat.

Tsavorite is the most expensive variety of garnet. The cost of jewelry with large stones amounts to thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the material of the frame.

Jewelry with mineral

Tsavorite is considered an expensive gemstone. The cost is determined by many factors - color, rarity, difficult mining conditions. Various jewelry is made from Kenyan emerald, the cost of which starts from $200, reaching $2000. If the product uses large stones of 5 carats or more, such jewelry will cost $20-30 thousand.

In silver, as well as in combination with colorless stones, the nugget looks more advantageous. Gold is also used for the frame. The rarest specimens of gems become the property of museums or private collections.

Tsavorite earrings and pendant

How to identify a fake

The rarity and high cost of tsavorite provoke a wave of counterfeits. More often it is a special type of glass.

The properties of natural tsavorite help determine the origin of the sample:

• In nature, crystals of one or two carats are common. Five-carat tsavorites are rare and expensive.

The 325-carat faceted specimen is unique. Obtained from a tsavorite source weighing almost a thousand carats.

• Their transparency is heterogeneous.
• The unique feature of tsavorite is its glow, visible in sunlight.
• The stone is mined in one place, exclusively by hand. Therefore, there is no talk of “democratic” prices.
• Each stone is accompanied by a certificate indicating the deposit. It can only be Africa.

They have not yet learned how to grow tsavorites artificially. If the seller positions the sample as a synthetic stone, it is most likely an artificial aluminum garnet. The stone is also not refined either by thermal treatment or by injection of oils.

How to distinguish real tsavorite from a fake

On the shelves you can find synthetic analogues of stone. Signs that distinguish a natural mineral from an artificial one:

1. A genuine gem is never dull and does not contain inclusions. The cloudy shade of the stone indicates its unnatural nature.
2. The rock luminesces in the light, shining from within. Glass does not have this feature.
3. Small-sized gems are found in nature. If the stone is a specimen larger than 5 carats, the likelihood that it is artificial increases.
4. A real stone cannot be cheap, especially if it is dark green. Such crystals are considered especially rare and are sold only at auctions.

In addition to synthetic analogues and glass, uvarovites and demantoids are used to imitate tsavorite. They are less common, but only experts using special equipment can distinguish them from the original.

To avoid falling for marketing tricks, ask for documents for the gem before purchasing.

Magic properties

Tsavorite has only been used for half a century, but the magical properties of the mineral have been revealed:

• It absorbs negativity released towards the owner. Creates an impenetrable energy “cocoon” around him.
• Wearing a stone or jewelry sharpens intuition.
• The owner of the stone is confident in his own abilities.
• Tsavorite is a family, love, home talisman. Brings prosperity to the home, creates warmth and trust in relationships.

In a house where there is tsavorite, there are no scandals or quarrels.

• This protects the home from thieves and natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, fires).

Green is the color of money. It is natural that tsavorite talismans are bought by financiers, bankers and those who dream of getting rich.

• This is also an attribute of careerists and ambitious people. Businessmen and merchants consider him theirs.

Thanks to its color scheme, tsavorite is considered the stone of everyone who works on the earth: agrarians, farmers, gardeners, gardeners.

Tsavorite

Therapeutic effect

Traditional medicine honors the stone for its wide range of actions:

• normalization of blood pressure;
• neutralization of migraines, headaches;
• improving eye health, improving vision;
• debugging metabolism.

To improve your vision, you need to contemplate the pebble daily for 15–20 minutes.

Tsavorite is a savior for elderly and weather-sensitive people. Facilitates the human condition during magnetic storms, temperature or pressure changes, and other natural disasters.

The mineral is recommended for everyone who sits for hours at a computer, lives in stable tension, or gets tired after physical or nervous work.

Helps overcome stress. A pebble under your pillow will make you sleep soundly and calmly.

Medicinal properties

The healing properties of tsavorite are directly related to the color of the stone, and therefore are similar to the properties of other green minerals. Among the gem's tasks:

• producing a calming, relaxing effect on the nervous system, which is important for stress, insomnia, and emotional exhaustion;
• improvement of visual function;
• improvement of well-being when weather conditions change, changes in atmospheric pressure or magnetic storms;
• stabilization of blood pressure;
• relief from chronic migraines;
• decrease in body temperature during colds.

Stone jewelry

It is known that tsavorite treats eye diseases such as stye. You just need to apply the nugget to the site of inflammation. If you have insomnia or bad dreams, contemplation of the stone is recommended, and for a calming effect it is better to regularly carry the gem with you.

Tsavorite and Zodiac

Astrologers have found that the favorites of the stone are Cancers and Pisces. They will become more complacent and reduce the degree of criticism towards others.

Tsavorite is also suitable for representatives of the Earth triad:

• Dev will make you more energetic, protect you from spiteful critics, envious people, and the evil eye.
• Taurus will gain financial success and receive support in their personal lives.
• Capricorns who own the talisman will become kinder, calmer, even more phlegmatic.

The stone will not harm other signs of the Zodiac either.

Zodiac sign

It is believed that tsavorite is a stone that is best suited for people of the water element. Especially for those born under the signs of Cancer or Pisces. One of the distinctive features of these people is their tendency to have a negative attitude towards everything that happens. Tsavorite helps them restore balance in their souls.

The stone also gives increased attention to representatives of the earth element:

• Virgos, with the help of tsavorite, will be able to replenish their internal energy and learn to repel ill-wishers;
• for Taurus, the stone will become a talisman in love and family relationships, as well as financial well-being;
• Capricorns will be able to become more restrained and balanced towards others, and will learn to think positively.

But this does not mean that other signs cannot use the healing powers of this stone. Vanadium garnet will have a beneficial effect on everyone. Back to contents