Introduction: Tsavorite is a variety of the grossular garnet species of the garnet family.
Colors: intense green to yellowish-green
Clarity: Tsavorite garnets are of clarity Type II. Gems in this type typically grow with some minor inclusions in nature that may be eye visible but usually are well hidden or require magnification.
Stone Sizes: While large tsavorites have been faceted, generally gems are less than 10 carats.
Localities: Kenya, Tanzania
Treatments: None
Gemology:
-Refractive Index: 1.740 (+0.020,-0.010)
-Birefringence: None (singly refractive)
-Optic Character: Singly refractive
-Dispersion: 0.028
-Specific Gravity: 3.61 (+0.12, -0.04)
-Hardness: 7-7.5
-Toughness: Fair to good
-Chemical Composition: Ca3Al2(SiO4)3
-Cause of Color: vanadium with traces of chromium
-Absorption Spectra: Not distinctive
-Fluorescence: None
-Cleavage: None
-Phenomena: None
Name: Tsavorite is named after Tsavo National Park in Kenya
Dates: All species of garnets can be used as the birthstone for January. Garnets are also the gem of choice for second anniversaries.
Care: Ultrasonics are usually safe but risky with liquid inclusions. Steam cleaners should never be used. The safest method for cleaning is with warm soapy water. Abrupt temperature changes will likely cause fracturing.
To see available tsavorite garnets, click here.