A Deep Dive Into The Value Of Tsavorite

Tsavorite is a relatively new gemstone compared to most gemstones only being discovered in the 1960s. Despite mankind's only recent discovery of Tsavorite, it is one of the oldest gemstones that formed billions of years ago before the dinosaurs even walked the planet. 

What is Tsavorite? 

Tsavorite belongs to the garnet family of gemstones and more specifically is a variety of grossular garnet with a vivid green colour. Grossular garnets are silicates of calcium, containing aluminium. 

While a little similar to the prized demantoid garnet in its green hue, demantoid is an andradite type of garnet, silicates of calcium, containing iron instead of aluminium. 

How was Tsavorite discovered? 

The story of Tsavorite is an incredible journey with a tragic ending for the man who discovered it. 

British geologist Campbell Bridges discovered tsavorite in 1967 near Komolo & it was 6 years earlier that he originally discovered some green garnet in Zimbabwe. He tested the garnets and found them to be grossular garnets. 

Campbell took some cut green grossular stones to show Henry B. Platt, president of Tiffany and Co., who had named Tanzanite in honour of its country of origin. Platt was very impressed and excited by these beautiful green garnets, and so he asked him if Tiffany would be interested in promoting this gemstone in the same way that it had promoted Tanzanite.

In early 1974, Henry Platt decided that this beautiful green garnet needed to be given a trade name that, in keeping with scientific mineralogical nomenclature, had to end in an ‘ite’. Eventually, it was named after the nearby Tsavo National Park, hence the name, Tsavorite.

So taken with Tsavorite, Henry Platt decided to carry out a small promotion by featuring ads in the New Yorker magazine and newspaper articles to announce its arrival to the jewellery-buying public. “Tsavorite has all those fine qualities that one expects of a gemstone, and then some,” he said. “It is truly beautiful.”

Tanzania's mines were nationalised and the Komolo green garnet mine was handed over to a local co-op. In search of a more stable investment environment, Campbell left Tanzania and moved to Kenya.

After years of success in mining in Kenya, years in which Campbell Bridges established close relationships with the locals, he ran afoul of a group mining illegally on his property. When he confronted them, he was stabbed and killed. His tragic death in 2009 came as a shock to everyone. 

Why are the quantities of Tsavorite so limited? 

Tsavorite garnets are primarily found in East Africa, specifically in Kenya and Tanzania. The finest quality Tsavorites, with the purest green hues, are typically sourced from near the Tsavo National Park in Kenya. While other deposits exist in Tanzania and Madagascar, they generally produce smaller gems. And it is that there are so few countries and mines where this stone can be found that significantly limits available quantities. 

While this limited availability by its nature drives up value for Tsavorite, the value of any given gemstone will always be determined by the 4Cs of quality which we will now explore. 

Tsavorite Cuts 

The cut of a Tsavorite Garnet directly influences its brilliance and sparkle. A well-cut Tsavorite maximizes its color and luster, enhancing its overall beauty. For example, a shallow cut on a dark gem or a deeper cut on a light gem will enhance the vibrancy of a stone. 

Tsavorite is quite brittle and often in smaller sizes therefore expertise in cutting is essential. In particular, inclusions can be weak points in the stone to be avoided. 

Although you can find Tsavorite cut into many shapes, ovals tend to be popular. With this shape, the stones appear larger and extra brilliant because it incorporates many facets that mirror the round brilliant cut. 

Tsavorite has a high refractive index, making them sparkle with almost any cut. 

Square cushion and round shapes are not easy to come by from the gem's rough form and result in considerable weight loss when cutting. This means these shapes usually command a premium. 

Tsavorite carat

Fine stones over 2 carats are rare and over 3 carats they become exceedingly rare in the fine qualities.

The majority of Tsavorites found in the market are below 1 carat. Many jewellers only have stones in small sizes, making these larger stones highly sought after. 

The price per carat increases exponentially with size, especially for stones that exhibit excellent color and clarity.

On average, it takes over 1 ton of gem bearing rock just to extract less than 5 carats of fine 1 carat pieces. Most extracted tsavorite rough is not big, so when cutting, it’s important to balance the weight and proportion of the stone in order to maximize its size. 

When considering the annual extraction of tsavorite, rough stones at two carats or greater account for less than 5% of total Tsavorite production. 

While larger stones are more valuable, the most significant value however boils down to excellent colour and clarity. 

Tsavorite colour 

Color is the most critical factor in determining the quality and value of Tsavorite Garnet. This gemstone is renowned for its vivid green hues, that are intense & vibrant, which rival even the finest emeralds.

Though vibrant greens are preferred, you can find tsavorite gems in a range of hues from pale to dark.

Pale gems with yellow undertones or overly dark murky stones are the least preferred. 

A very slight bluish overtone colour in Tsavorite is highly desirable, and would be considered a ‘mint’ gem by many experts. Especially an overtone of blue rather than yellow commands higher prices.

The majority of Tsavorite deposits are colored by Vanadium. However there is a mine in Kuranze that also contains chromium. This gives the stones from this deposit exceptional color, often with a trace of blue in the green like the finest Muzo Colombian Emerald. These kuranze Tsavorites are considered a cut above the rest. 

In terms of depth of colour as long as it is not overly dark (like any other gemstone) you have a good stone. Stones with a deeply saturated pure green & evenly distributed color will command the highest prices.

Tsavorite clarity 

Clarity refers to the presence of inclusions within the gemstone. 

Tsavorite Garnet is prized for its excellent transparency and minimal inclusions compared to other green gemstones like emeralds. 

Although relatively transparent gemstones, due to their geology, some inclusions are common. They are prone to having needle-like impurities, tiny feathers, liquid filled cavities and crystals included in their mass. 

Subtle inclusions that do not affect the stone’s brilliance are generally acceptable, but heavily included stones with visible flaws significantly decrease in value.

Most Tsavorites are eye-clean however meaning they are free from visible inclusions when viewed with the naked eye and are highly valued.

Tsavorite's transparencies mean inclusions are better able to be seen by the naked eye which helps you to avoid gems with surface defects and inclusions.

Like all garnets, tsavorites have a high refractive index, which in practice means they sparkle. This brilliance sets tsavorites apart from their rival in class, emeralds. 

What are the typical Tsavorite treatments? 

Further adding to the value of Tsavorite in the eyes of buyers & consumers is the attractive nature in which it never receives any treatments and is entirely natural. Tsavorite is considered one of the most authentic stones in today's jewelry market. 

Are there synthetic Tsavorites? 

Tsavorite has never been synthesized because the geological conditions in which it is formed are too complex to replicate in a laboratory. 

A number of tsavorite imitations do exist and buyers should be aware. The most common is green glass. Synthetic spinel is also sometimes sold as tsavorite. These tsavorite look-alikes hold very little value and should obviously be avoided. 

What about Tsavorite prices? 

Tsavorite prices have shown a steady upward trend for the past 2 decades. Tsavorite has generally tripled in price per carat in the past 20 years. 

Only a few stones are being produced every month and are being snatched up for extremely high prices because demand for Tsavorite has exploded in China and very high prices are being paid for stones. Some top quality large stones are going for well in excess of $20,000 per carat. 

So what is the value of tsavorite? 

Tsavorite is still a fraction of the price of an equivalent-quality emerald, even though it has superior qualities. Despite the rarity of tsavorite increasing the value for the gem, the relatively recent discovery and availability in limited quantities have not given it the necessary exposure that emerald has enjoyed over the past several thousand years.

Nonetheless, as just mentioned for high quality large stones you should expect to pay a fortune (well in excess of £100K). It is also worth remembering that when Tsavorite mines are depleted, which could happen very soon, those same Tsavorite stones will likely go up in value considerably.