GREEN RADIANT TSAVORITE
Hardness: 7 - 7.5
Tsavorite or tsavolite is a variety of the garnet group
species grossular, a calcium aluminium garnet .Trace amounts of vanadium or
chromium provide the natural green radiant color.
Green grossular had been rare until 1967, when British gem
prospector and geologist Campbell R. Bridges came across a deposit of the
mineral in the mountains of north-east Tanzania. The specimens he found were of
very intense color and of high transparency.
Unlike many other
gemstones, the tsavorite is neither burnt nor oiled. This gemstone is not in
need of any such treatment. Like all the other garnets it is simply a piece of
pure, unadulterated Nature. Another positive characteristic is its robustness.
It has almost the same hardness as the (considerably more expensive) emerald, -
approximately 7.5 on the Mohs scale - but it is markedly less sensitive. That
is an important feature not only when it comes to the stone’s being set but
also in its being worn. A tsavorite is not so likely to crack or splinter as a
result of an incautious movement. It is well suited to the popular ‘invisible
setting’, in which the stones are set close by one another, a technique which
ought not to be used with the more sensitive emerald. Thanks to its great
brilliance, the tsavorite is, in this respect, a partner to match the classics:
diamond, ruby and sapphire.
Type 1 Gemstones
The following gemstones are typically inclusion free, even
minor inclusions detract from their value.
Diamond, Amethyst, Beryls(Aquamarine,Morganite), Citrine,
Smoky Quartz, topaz, Chrysoberyl, Kunzite, Tanzanite, green Tourmaline, and
Blue Zircon
IF Internally
flawless under extreme magnification (Very rare)
F Flawless
VVS Minute
inclusions under 10x; invisible to the unaided eye
VS Minor
inclusions under 10x; usually invisible to the unaided eye
SI1 Noticeable
inclusions under 10x; usually visible to the unaided eye
SI2 Noticeable
inclusions under 10x; usually quite visible to the unaided eye
I1 prominent-
moderate affect on appearance or durability
I2 prominent
- severe affect on appearance or durability
I3 prominent-
severe affect on beauty, transparency or durability
Type 2 Gemstones
Gemstones that normally have small inclusions that do not
detract from value.
Alexandrite, Andalusite, Iolite, Peridot, Rhodolite, Ruby,
Sapphire, Spinel, Tourmaline, Garnet, Amethyst, Red Zircon, Tsavorite; Blue,
Orange, Purple, Fluorite.Yellow and Parti-colored Tourmaline
F Flawless
VVS Minor
inclusions under 10x; usually invisible to the unaided eye
VS Noticeable
inclusions under 10x; often invisible to the unaided eye
SI1 Obvious
inclusions under 10x; visible to the unaided eye
SI2 Obvious
inclusions under 10x; very apparent to the unaided eye
I1 prominent
- moderate affect on appearance or durability
I2 prominent
- severe affect on appearance or durability
I3 prominent
- severe affect on beauty, transparency or durability
6 mm = 1/4 inch (Approx)