Tsavorite
Tsavorite rivals emerald for colour while being tougher and rarely treated. Supply is limited and parcels are small.
In short
Tsavorite is a rare, untreated green garnet mined in small East African workings and sold by colour grade.
- Formula
- Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ (V, Cr)
- Density
- 3.6 g/cm³
- Hardness
- 7–7.5 Mohs
- Priced in
- Per carat
What it is
Tsavorite is a green grossular garnet coloured by vanadium and chromium. It is found almost only in the metamorphic belt of East Africa. It is valued for its brilliance and because its colour is natural, without treatment.
Supplied as
- Rough
- Calibrated lots
Who buys it
- Fine jewellery
- Collector stones
What we check before we sell
- 01Colour grading
- 02Treatment disclosure
- 03Origin and export documentation
From raw to refined
How tsavorite becomesa cut tsavorite.
Follow tsavorite through 6 stages, from the moment it leaves the ground to the finished piece. Keep scrolling: each step has its own photograph or film.
Prospect · Rukwa, Tanzania
Searching the gem belt
Tsavorite is found almost only in the metamorphic belt that runs through Kenya and Tanzania. Small operators prospect and dig narrow pits and shafts.
Next commodity
Tourmaline