Tsavorite Jewelry in Bangkok

Tsavorite is the green garnet of East Africa, a vivid, bright green stone that can rival emerald for color. It was only discovered in the late 1960s, and it is still mined in only a few places, near Kenya’s famous Tsavo National Park and across the border in Tanzania. It is harder and more durable than emerald, almost never treated, and full of sparkle. We set natural tsavorite in 925 sterling silver and solid gold at our studio on Sukhumvit 71, Bangkok.

This page covers what tsavorite is, how it was found, how it compares with other green gems, how to wear and care for it, what makes a good stone, where it comes from, how to see the stones at our shop, and how to order in Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand.

What tsavorite is

Tsavorite is a green variety of grossular, a calcium aluminum garnet. Pure grossular is colorless. Tsavorite gets its green from small amounts of vanadium and chromium, the same kind of elements that color emerald.

Tsavorite has a higher refractive index than emerald, so a well cut stone is brighter and livelier. It is also clean more often than emerald, which nearly always has visible inclusions.

Tsavorite is almost never treated. Unlike emerald, which is usually oiled, it does not need anything to improve its look, and its color is natural and stable. Every stone we set is natural, tsavorite included, and if a stone has had any treatment we tell you before you order.

Tsavorite facts at a glance

• Color: light mint green to vivid grass green and deep forest green
• Hardness: 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale
• Family: garnet (green grossular)
• Treatment: almost never treated
• Best for: rings, pendants, earrings and accent stones
• Care: warm soapy water and a soft brush
• Price: depends on the quality and carat you choose; we quote before you order

How tsavorite was found

The Scottish geologist Campbell Bridges found green grossular in northern Tanzania in 1967, and a few years later found a better deposit across the border in southern Kenya, near Tsavo National Park. In 1974 the jeweler Tiffany and Co. introduced the stone to the public and named it tsavorite after the park. It soon became one of the most loved new gems of the twentieth century.

Tsavorite and other green gems

Emerald is the classic green stone. It is 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale but brittle and almost always included, and most emeralds are oiled. Tsavorite has a similar color with more brilliance and better toughness, though it is rarely found in large sizes.

Chrome tourmaline is a deep green tourmaline colored by the same elements. It is often a little darker and less bright than tsavorite, and can come in larger clean stones.

Peridot is a yellowish green, softer at 6.5 to 7, and costs less. Tsavorite is a cooler, purer green.

Demantoid is the other famous green garnet. It has even more fire but is softer and much rarer.

Kornerupine is a rare green collector stone that shifts toward golden brown as you turn it. It is softer and quieter than tsavorite, a choice for someone who wants a green nobody else is wearing.

How to wear and care for tsavorite

At 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, with good toughness and no cleavage, tsavorite is fine for daily rings, earrings and pendants. Like any garnet, a hard knock on a facet edge can chip it, so take your ring off for the gym, sport and heavy work.

Clean it in warm soapy water with a soft brush, then rinse and dry. Because it is not oiled like emerald, it is easy to keep clean. Avoid sudden changes of temperature and store it apart from harder stones. If it ever needs a polish or a check of the setting, bring it to our shop. Maintenance is free on jewelry we made.

What makes a good tsavorite

Color comes first. The most valued stones are a vivid, pure green, bright but not so dark that the stone looks black. Light mint stones cost less and have a fresh, spring look.

Clarity is often good. Many tsavorites are clean to the eye, and the best stones show no visible inclusions at all.

Cut brings out the brilliance. A well cut tsavorite sparkles more than most green gems, so look for even color and light across the whole face.

Size matters a great deal. Most tsavorite is found in small crystals, so the majority of stones are under a carat. Fine stones over two carats are rare, and the price per carat rises steeply with size.

Where tsavorite comes from

Tsavorite comes from a narrow belt of rock running through southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, near Tsavo and the Merelani area. Smaller amounts come from Madagascar. Because the deposits are small and hard to mine, supply is always limited. If you want to know the origin of a particular stone, ask us: we offer certified stones, and an uncertified stone can be sent to a gem lab for a report at extra cost.

See tsavorite at our shop in Bangkok

Green stones are hard to judge from photos, and tsavorite is brighter and livelier than most, so its sparkle is worth seeing for yourself. Put tsavorite in your booking note, so we can prepare stones from light mint to deeper greens, mostly in the small sizes this gem tends to come in.

Walk in any time we are open, or book ahead so Yaron is there to help with the stone, the design and the metal, from 925 silver and gold plating to solid 9K, 14K or 18K gold.

Tsavorite is not oiled like emerald, so a loose stone is easy to keep clean while you think about a design. You need not order jewelry, though making a piece for you would make us very happy.

Not in Bangkok? Message us and we will send photos and prices of the tsavorite we have.

Tsavorite questions we get

Is your tsavorite natural?

Yes. Every gemstone we set is natural, tsavorite included, and tsavorite is almost never treated. If a stone has had any treatment we tell you before you order. We are a member of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association.

Is tsavorite a garnet?

Yes. Tsavorite is a green grossular garnet, colored by vanadium and chromium. It is part of the same family as red garnet.

Is tsavorite better than emerald?

It is different. Tsavorite is brighter, usually cleaner and not oiled, and it handles daily wear well. Emerald has its own soft, velvety green and a long history. Many people choose tsavorite for an everyday ring.

Why are large tsavorites rare?

Tsavorite usually forms in small crystals, so most stones are under a carat. Clean, bright stones over two carats are uncommon and cost much more per carat.

How much does tsavorite jewelry cost?

It depends on the quality and carat of the stone you choose, and on the metal. We give you the price before anything is made.

Can I buy just the stone?

Yes. You can take a tsavorite home on its own without ordering any jewelry. When you want a ring, earrings or a pendant, now or later, we will gladly mount it.

How long does a tsavorite piece take?

7 to 10 working days from your order, because the stones are already here in our shop, then 1 to 3 working days for delivery inside Thailand. We also ship abroad by FedEx.

Every tsavorite piece is made to order by our team in Bangkok in 925 sterling silver or solid gold, with a 3-year warranty, free maintenance and free shipping across Thailand.