Tsavorite
Tsavorite is a silicate mineral recognized among collectors for its crystal form and distribution.
About Tsavoriteextended article
Tsavorite is the vivid green gem variety of grossular garnet, coloured by traces of vanadium and chromium. Discovered in East Africa in the late 1960s, it was named after Tsavo in Kenya and introduced to the trade by Tiffany & Co. Its bright green rivals emerald, with the advantage of greater durability and brilliance.
Properties
Like all garnets it is isometric, singly refractive, hard (7–7.5) and cleavage-free. Tsavorite is typically cleaner than emerald and has a higher refractive index, giving cut stones lively brilliance, though large clean crystals are rare so most faceted stones are small.
Occurrence
It forms in metamorphic rocks straddling the Kenya–Tanzania border. It is a member of the garnet group, alongside the green andradite variety demantoid.
About Tsavorite
Tsavorite is classified as a silicate mineral in the garnet group (grossular variety) and has the chemical formula Ca3Al2(SiO4)3. It crystallizes in the isometric system and holds a steady position among silicate species. Its combination of structural character and global distribution make it a recognized species in both systematic and aesthetic collections.
Identification & care
Crystals commonly develop as dodecahedral and trapezohedral crystals. Its color is typically vivid green and emerald-green. The luster is vitreous to adamantine, the streak is white, and specimens are typically transparent. The fracture is conchoidal, which is one of its key identifying features.
Collector context
How it forms
The geological setting for Tsavorite is typically metamorphic — cr- and v-bearing calc-silicate rocks and granulites. It is commonly found in association with grossular, diopside, tremolite, graphite, pyrrhotite.
Why collectors care
Tsavorite is a frequently-sought species in serious collections because its habit is recognizable, its color often strong, and its best examples unmistakable even at a distance. Chinese material has driven much of the recent visual shift in the species — sharper crystals, deeper colors, cleaner matrix.
What affects value
Value in Tsavorite is assessed, in typical order of weight, against: (1) locality provenance; (2) size relative to the species norm; (3) crystal form and termination sharpness; (4) color saturation and zoning; (5) transparency and internal clarity; (6) matrix quality and aesthetic balance; (7) condition (absence of damage, chips, or repair). Cleaning quality and verified locality documentation act as multipliers across the above.
Naming history
The name Tsavorite has a specific etymological and historical context — see Mindat's reference entry for provenance details. We have retained naming data at the record level; published prose is paraphrased from factual fields rather than copied from source.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tsavorite?
Tsavorite is a silicate mineral recognized among collectors for its crystal form and distribution.
What is the chemical formula of Tsavorite?
The chemical formula of Tsavorite is Ca3Al2(SiO4)3.
What crystal system does Tsavorite belong to?
Tsavorite crystallises in the Isometric crystal system.
Where is Tsavorite found?
Notable localities for Tsavorite include Merelani Hills, Tsavo.
Is Tsavorite rare?
As a collector mineral, Tsavorite is generally considered rare.
References & databases
Mindat.org is the world’s largest open mineralogy database. Our descriptions are written independently and fact-checked.