Learn About Tsavorite
Tsavorites may look like emeralds, but in reality, they are roughly 200 times rarer than emeralds.
Tsavorite
- Garnet group of minerals
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
- Strength, Vitality, Positivity
Round
Oval
Pear
Round
Oval
PearOverview
The tsavorite is a fairly new gem, especially compared to other green jewels like the emerald and peridot. It was discovered in 1967 and was officially introduced to the jewelry industry in the year 1974.
Unlike some of the other garnet varieties that have existed for centuries, the tsavorite is still reasonably young. This is why the symbolism associated with this gem revolves around the intense green hue it's blessed with.
1. Key Origin
- Tsavorite can only be found in one place on earth – Africa
- Primary sources include mines present in Kenya's Taita and the Arusha region in Tanzania
- This gem is named after the Tsavo National Park
2. Associations
- Tsavorite is the trademark of nature, represents abundance and rebirth
- Tsavorite has also been associated with prosperity and the revival of inner self
- None of these symbolisms are backed by any scientific evidence, they certainly add to gemstone's overall appeal
Properties
Rated 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness
01Hardness & Strength
According to the Mohs scale of hardness, 1 signifies an extremely malleable mineral (talc) while 10 represents remarkable toughness (diamond). On this tool, the tsavorite has a rating of 7 to 7.5, which indicates considerable durability. So while it isn't exceptionally hard, it's not fragile either.
02Treatment
The glorious green color of the tsavorite happens to be devoid of any artificial treatments. So unlike many other popular gemstones that have to undergo different types of procedures to improve their color/appearance, tsavorites typically only need to be cut and polished.
Lab-created or man-made versions of this gem is not available either. The majority of the tsavorites available in the market today are completely untreated and unenhanced.
Know About Other Gems
Tsavorite
"Tsavorites may look like emeralds, but in reality, they are roughly 200 times rarer than emeralds.”
- Garnet group of minerals
- Green
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
- Strength, Vitality, Positivity
- Round
Oval
Pear
Know About Other Gems
Garnet
Don't garnets remind you of pomegranate seeds? Well, turns out their name actually comes from a Latin word that means pomegranate!
- Silicate
- Primarily red
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Capricorn Aquarius
- Love, Friendship, Passion
- January
Amethyst
Amethyst is love in a gem! St. Valentine too is believed to have worn an amethyst ring with Cupid’s image.
- Quartz
- Purple, Pale lilac, Deep reddish purple
- 7 Mohs
-
Aquarius Pisces
- Wisdom, Peace, Good fortune
- February
Opal
Ancient legends suggest opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. That probably explains why this gem is so magical!
- Hydrated Silica
- All colors
- 5 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Hope, Purity, Truth
- October
Aquamarine
From its hue to its name, everything about aquamarine swirls around water. No wonder the mermaids called it their own!
- Beryl
- Pale blue, Greenish blue, Pastel blue
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Aries Pisces
- Serenity, Clarity, Harmony
- March
Ruby
Did you know ruby and sapphire are cousins? They come from the same mineral family, which is corundum!
- Corundum
- Red
- 9 Mohs
-
Cancer Leo
- Love, Power, Passion
- July
Moonstone
Moonstone was declared the state gem of Florida in 1970 to honor NASA’s lunar landing and the Kennedy Space Center.
- Feldspar
- Colorless, White
- 6 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Gemini Cancer
- Good fortune, Luck
- June
Tanzanite
Though a new discovery, tanzanites could quickly become extinct! It's because they're mined in only one place on Earth.
- Zoisite
- Violet purple, Bluish violet
- 6 to 7 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Abundance, New beginnings
- December
Onyx
Many cultures believed onyx could absorb negativity. In fact, the more negativity it absorbed, the darker it became!
- Silicate
- Primarily black
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
- Courage, Power, Good fortune
Sapphire
The most obsessed-over sapphire in the world is the 12-carat stunner on Princess Diana’s legendary engagement ring.
- Corundum
- Every color but red
- 9 Mohs
-
Libra Virgo
- Truth, Sincerity, Loyalty
- September
Emerald
Cleopatra was crazy about emeralds! She even took over a few Greek mines, hoping to keep all the jewels for herself.
- Beryl
- Green, Bluish green, Deep green
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Taurus Gemini
- Good fortune, Balance, Growth
- May
Rhodolite
Rhodolite gets its name from the Greek word ‘rhodon’ which means ‘rose.’ Such an apt name for this pretty stone!
- Garnet group of minerals
- Rose pink - deep purple
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Positivity
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz isn't just a pretty gem. It's believed to attract love and bring in peace and tenderness to your life.
- Quartz
- Shades of pink
- 7 Mohs
- Love, Harmony
Peridot
Unlike most gemstones that come in different colors, peridot is found only in olive green. It's a special gem, for sure!
- Olivine
- Yellowish green, Deep dark olive, Yellow-green
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
-
Leo Virgo
- Prosperity, Good fortune
- August
Swiss Blue Topaz
Wear a topaz and it could make you invisible in times of emergency. Farfetched? Well, that's what the Ancient Greeks believed!
- Silicate
- Yellow, Orange, Brown
- 8 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Love, Loyalty
- November
Citrine
In the middle ages, citrine was also called the ‘merchant's stone’ as it was believed to bring success and prosperity.
- Quartz
- Yellow-orange, Pale yellow
- 7 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Positivity, Optimism
- November
Tourmaline
Self-love is the best kind of love and tourmaline is considered to be the best gem to help you in this journey.
- Silicate
- All colors
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Friendship, Compassion
- October
Morganite
Morganites were named after J.P. Morgan, who wasn't just a genius in all things finance, but a gem enthusiast too.
- Beryl
- Pale pink, Peach
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Romance, Love, Harmony
Turquoise
Would you believe us if we told you that the gorgeous turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in the world?
- Turquoise
- Blue, Greenish blue
- 5 to 6 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Positivity, Happiness
- December
The 4C’s
The below-mentioned factors help determine a tsavorite's true value:
- Color
- Carat
- Clarity
- Cuts
01Color
- An excellent quality tsavorite displays a rich green color that is intense without being too dark or cloudy.
- Vanadium is responsible for its eye-catching hue.
- Avoid stones pale in color or have a yellow undertone, opt for vibrant green tsavorites.
02Carat
- It's not easy to find this gem in large sizes, tsavorite's weigh upto 3 carats
- Quality should be given more preference than the carat weight
- A tsavorite that has a higher carat weight, but lower quality (because of treatment process)
03Clarity
- It's normal for the tsavorite to have flaws/inclusions
- Tsavorite being type 2 gemstone,have impurities and inclusions that look like tiny feathers and tiny pieces of crystal.
- Only opt for those stones that do not have any visible surface defects
04Cuts
- Tsavorite has a high refractive index, and cuts/shapes
- Best radiate its beauty and gleam include the oval, cushion, emerald-cut, and trillion.
- However, you must opt for the one that best suits your preference.
Quality & Grading
Based on color, clarity, cut, and carat weight, tsavorites can be graded into the following categories:
| Gem Quality | Color | Clarity | Brilliance | Rareness | Shop Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heirloom (AAAA) |  Bright Deep Green | Eye Clean | Very High | Top 1% |
Vintage Style Oval Tsavorite Ring with Diamond Accents$1289 |
| Best (AAA) |  Bright Medium Green | Slightly Included | High | Top 10% |
Oval Tsavorite Solitaire Pendant with Diamond$589 |
| Better (AA) |  Medium Green | Included | Medium | Top 33% |
Bypass Pear-Shaped Tsavorite Ring$809 |
| Good (A) |  Light Green | Heavily Included | Low | Top 75% |
Shell Style Oval Tsavorite and Diamond Pendant$189 |
Latest Pick from Tsavorite Jewelry
Rings
Earrings
Bracelets
Necklaces
GIA Certified Princess Diana Inspired Oval Tsavorite Ring with Floral Halo
$2409
GIA Certified Three Stone Oval Tsavorite Knife-Edge Ring with Milgrain
$2499
GIA Certified Claw-Set Oval Tsavorite Bypass Ring with Diamonds
$2299
Classic Oval Tsavorite Halo Ring with Diamond Accents
$1359
Encrusted Tsavorite and Diamond Infinity Knot Ring
$2689
Care Instructions
With a rating of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, the beautiful tsavorite can be considered relatively durable and safe for everyday wear. But do keep in mind that it's normal for most stones to have superficial flaws or inclusions, typically in gaseous, liquid, or solid form.
FAQs
1. Is tsavorite a rare gemstone?
It absolutely is! Tsavorite is significantly rarer than other green gemstones such as emeralds, as it is primarily found in limited regions in Africa. Additionally, it is discovered in much smaller quantities, making it a highly sought-after and rare gemstone.
2. How durable is tsavorite?
Tsavorite is reasonably durable with a rating of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This makes the gemstone perfect for everyday wear, especially if you take care of it properly.
3. What does tsavorite symbolize?
Tsavorite symbolizes vitality, strength and positivity. Although none of this is backed by scientific evidence, it has been believed that tsavorite has metaphysical properties, including healing and protection.
4. How is tsavorite different from emerald?
Emeralds are precious gemstones that are easily available, while tsavorites are semi-precious gemstones but are rare. Speaking of appearance, tsavorite has a bright green color, while emeralds may have lighter or darker and richer hues. While emeralds are very popular in the jewelry world, tsavorite is a relatively new stone.
5. Where does tsavorite get its color from?
Tsavorite gets its color from vanadium and sometimes chromium, which are present in its crystalline structure. These elements are responsible for the gemstone's bright and vivid green hue.
