The facts
What tsavorite actually is
The species behind tsavorite is grossular garnet, Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃; it forms in the cubic system.
Vanadium with chromium is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.734–1.745 and a specific gravity of about 3.57–3.65, with none cleavage.
Where tsavorite comes from
Commercial material comes from Taita Hills and Tsavo, Kenya, Merelani and Lemshuko, Tanzania and Ruangwa, Tanzania.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
Is tsavorite treated?
None. Not heated, oiled or filled.
That makes disclosure simple: there is nothing to declare. It also means a seller offering a "treated" version of this material is offering something else.
What tsavorite is confused with
Watch for Emerald, Chrome diopside, Demantoid, Mint grossular and Green glass — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.734–1.745 and specific gravity 3.57–3.65 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What tsavorite is used for
The trades that buy tsavorite are jewellery and mineral collecting. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Hardness 7–7.5; cleavage none. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What tsavorite costs
Expect roughly $300–5,000/ct, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is tsavorite treated?
None. Not heated, oiled or filled.
Where does tsavorite come from?
Taita Hills and Tsavo, Kenya, Merelani and Lemshuko, Tanzania and Ruangwa, Tanzania. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is tsavorite hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does tsavorite cost?
Indicatively $300–5,000/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is tsavorite confused with?
Most often Emerald, Chrome diopside, Demantoid, Mint grossular and Green glass. A refractive index of 1.734–1.745 and a specific gravity near 3.57–3.65 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for tsavorite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about tsavorite