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)