Grossular var. Tsavorite

Item Description

For gems and gemstone industry needs, the very finest Tsavorite, with the purest green hues is still only found in Tsavo, Kenya (largely by Bridges Tsavorite mining, now run by the second generation, Bruce Bridges). For specimens and mineral collectors, however, the best specimens have all come from only a small area of workings in Tanzania's Merelani mining district and deep underground, the same place that tanzanites come from! Grossular is the famous garnet group species well known from places like Italy and Canada. Some can be greenish, and also some demantoid garnet can have nice green color. However, the king of all grossulars - and of all garnets - simply has to be the rare and intensely color saturated varietal known as Tsavorite. According to the definition on Wikipedia: Tsavorite is a variety of the garnet group species grossular, a calcium-aluminium garnet with the formula Ca3Al2Si3O12. Trace amounts of vanadium or chromium provide the green color. In contrast, Demantoid is a variety of andradite garnet, which is rich in calcium and iron. So we have green grossular, green demantoid, and green tsavorite - 3 garnet varieties in green hues. yet, Tsavorite blows away all competitors for the saturation and "hot" intensity of coloration. The best Tsavorite crystals come from only a few mines on earth, in Kenya and Tanzania. Taken together, you can see why Tsavorite specimens are so treasured, and understand the rarity and value of such crystals. When complete, they common probably the highest prices of all garnets. This is a stunning thumbnail specimen with a single dominant crystal accompanied by secondaries, on a bit of graphite matrix. The larger crystal is just over 1 cm at longest dimension. Together, the cluster is 1.6 cm across. It is simply stunning - mesmerizing. There is no other word. It is not huge but it is impactful. The color can literally be seen by the eye from across a room, it is so strong: almost radioactive play-doh green, but with sparkle. It is a master class thumbnail specimen from a fine private collection.