Gleaming in green

Heard of Tiffany8217;s Tsavorite? Tsavorite, a young gemstone was first discovered in Tanzania in 1967 by the Scottish geologist Campbell R Bridges.

Young and robust, Tsavorite is a relatively young gemstone

Heard of Tiffany8217;s Tsavorite? Tsavorite, a young gemstone was first discovered in Tanzania in 1967 by the Scottish geologist Campbell R Bridges. Way back in 1974 Tiffany 038; Company began an extensive campaign to acquaint the American market with this exceptional and exquisitely brilliant gem. In honour of the Tsavo National Park owing to its profusion of game and the Tsavo River that flows through it Henry Platt, the former president of Tiffany 038; Company christened this young one of Garnet family as Tsavorite. Numerous companies globally soon followed to let stone lovers romance Tsavorite.

Tsavorite is a green grossularite and belongs to the multihued garnet family. East Africa may pride itself in offering the world its singular deposits of Tsavorite. It is found only in Kenya and Tanzania. Vanadium from the host rock and at times traces of chromium lends Tsavorite its brilliant green. Tsavorite is a radiant green with the array including a spring-like light green to a resolute blue green and a deep-forest green. The beaming blue-green is the most admired and prized in its league. This robust marvel of nature displays superior brilliance and amazing transparency, thanks to its high index of refraction. The beauty of the gem is further enhanced due to the fewer number of inclusions in it. Designers enjoy a liberal hand at styling stunning jewellery pieces of various sensibilities since the gemstone shapes include round, ovals, squares, cushions, trillions as well as emerald cuts. Another score for the gem comes from its hardness which being high allows the 8216;invisible8217; setting style unlike emeralds that crack being brittle. Tsavorites are mostly available less than three carats. Even the smaller sizes of Tsavorites are unusually brilliant and inclusions fail to deter the sparkle. Tsavorites above 20 carats in fine quality are collector8217;s pieces. The largest fine quality Tsavorite is nearly flawless at 16.67 carats, is an emerald cut and is a part of Richard Webster8217;s Collection. Just after 36 years of its discovery, Tsavorite is a much successful gem in delighting jewellery aficionados.

Tsavorite garnet has never been synthesized. It isn8217;t heated, optic on treated or oiled. It8217;s one of the few 100 percent natural gemstones in the market today. Please do request for a GIA certification accompanying your gemstone as one can8217;t rule out imitations like green glass or YAG. Clean it with tepid, soapy water and avoid heat and acids. Tsavorite looks best in daylight hence very flauntable for all winter brunches, picnics and outdoor fairs. With winters almost there, let8217;s raise our glasses to Tsavorite this time!

The writer is a city-based researcher specialising in jewellery art and can be contacted at sameeraahaan02gmail.com