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Tsavorite are green garnets offering what emerald promises and diamond never fulfills.
I think it is fair to say that tsavorite belongs to the most attractive gems of all. If you love green, it may well be the most attractive gem. Period.
In 13 years I cannot remember one single return of a tsavorite. Collectors of tsavorite are happy with every new piece they are fortunate enough to acquire, and will never give it back. First-time buyer are regularly blown away - and will also not give it back. If I forget somebody out there who has returned one of our tsavorites, remind me and I'll get you credit.
To the nomenclature: Green grossular is the family name, tsavorite is a darker green variety connected to the Tsavo Park in Kenya but found elsewhere, too. Merelani is a brighter green grossular, perhaps moving into yellowish green then ‘mint’, but equally brilliant gem found in Merelani, Tanzania.
You will find gem reports that simply state ‘green grossular garnet’ with no locality attached but the gem labs are still working on a common wording.
They all are siblings to hessonite, the other famous grossular garnet, but they are as different as siblings can be.
A few facts: Officially tsavorite was discovered only in the 60ies, but they must have been around for as long as we have, and probabaly Cleopatra had some mixed up in her emeralds. They are small though, one carat is good luck, two carats is a fat cat, and over four carats pushes the bank. Luckily, they need not to be big to show off. Even a pair of tsavorites with 0.05 carat, or 5 points, can be made into remarkably visible studs.
With no new significant discoveries, tsavorite may well become one of those varieties that will cause early hair-loss in the trade, but perhaps Madagascar or Mozambique will jump in and find us some more of these better-than-diamond-and-emerald marvels.
