The Largest Tsavorite Crystal in the World
Tsavorite, the world’s rarest garnet; A stunningly beautiful green gemstone that rivals any other green gem.
Tsavorite is a variety of the garnet group species grossular, a calcium-aluminium garnet with the formula Ca₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂. Trace amounts of vanadium or chromium provide the green color.
Tsavorite was discovered by British geologist Campbell R. Bridges in 1967 and named by Harry Platt of Tiffany & Company (New York) who immediately recognized its potential due to its gemological pedigree and named it after the Tsavo Game Reserve in Kenya, the area of its discovery.
Tsavorite has earned its place as one of the world’s finest colored gemstones. Its high refractive index and dispersion levels translate into wonderful brilliance and it is far less include than its cousin, Emerald. Its stunning, pure green hues, durability, purity and rareness have attracted gem collectors and jewelry lovers alike.
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| The Largest Tsavorite in the World |
Tsavorite is among the most expensive of all garnets, with prices similar to those fetched by fine demantoid (the other green garnet). Tsavorite is roughly 200 times more rare than emerald, and is available for a fraction of the price.
The Largest Tsavorite in the World
The largest in the world tsavorite was found at the border of the original block B tanzanite mining area (Block B extension), at a depth of 160 meters. The area is locally known as Karo.
The uncut stone weighed 185 grams and was examined by Dr. H. Hanni of SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute during a recent trip to Arusha. The stone was preformed and facetted at the Multicolour Gems office in Chantaburi and certified by Dr. A. Peretti at the GRS Gemresearch Swisslab in Bangkok.
The impressive size and saturated color combined with remarkable clarity and transparency put this stone in a class of its own. According to Dr. A. Peretti's report, -- "One Magnificent Gemstone".
Even tsavorites over 2 cts. in size are considered to be rare so an amazing stone like this will certainly end up with a collector or in a museum. The stone is step cut with good proportions and superior transparency and measures 42.11 x 36.46 x 28.34 mm.
The GIA color was graded as G 4/5 - G 4/6 (medium tone, strong to vivid saturation) using the GIA 324 color comparison set. Although difficult to verify, our research indicates that at 325.13 carats, this stone is the probably the largest and definitely the largest clean tsavorite in the world.
In a smaller size, material like this would be much lighter in color but
in such a large size, the tone darkens to that illusive jello green
that every connoisseur of tsavorite asks for -- not too light and not
too dark.