A crystal can become not only a decoration, but also a powerful amulet for those to whom it matches their zodiac sign. It is also used in lithotherapy to treat a whole range of nervous diseases. More on this and more below.
From the history of stone
It is believed that the title of discoverer of the crystal belongs to Campbell Bridges. In the mid-twentieth century, this geologist discovered bright green gems in the clay wall of a ravine in which he was hiding from an angry buffalo that suddenly attacked him.
The crystal received its name thanks to the head of Tiffany Henry Platt.
Henry Platt, head of the Tiffany jewelry house, immediately became interested in the young geologist's find. It is believed that it was he who gave the name tsavorite to the mineral discovered by Bridges. Other name options were also proposed, but Platt's proposal was ultimately recognized as the most successful.
Subsequently, Henry Platt established the extraction of the gem, as well as the production of jewelry with it. A beautiful crystal, reminiscent of the depth of color of an emerald, quickly gained popularity in salons in the USA and Europe.
Prices for tsavorite products
The average cost of jewelry with tsavorites is in the range of 200-2000 dollars. Large-sized stones are very rare, and for this reason their price is very high - from 20,000 to 30,000 dollars. The most popular jewelry today are tsavorites set in silver, which look very impressive in daylight.
Where is tsavorite mined?
The development of green garnet (tsavorite is sometimes called that) in the place where it was found - in Tanzania - is complicated by the fact that Tsavo has the status of a national park, and the government does not want to give permission for industrial mining.
Geologists managed to discover grossular deposits of the mineral in other African countries:
- Madagascar;
- Kenya;
- Uganda;
- other regions of Tanzania.
For cutting, the mineral is usually sent to Germany. Today, the largest supplier of the gem to the world market is Kenya, which is why it is sometimes called the Kenyan emerald.
Physico-chemical properties of tsavorite
Tsavorite is a grossularite, which in turn is a type of garnet mineral. It has a bright green color due to the admixture of vanadium in hydrous calcium aluminosilicate. The color of the stone can vary from dark green to bright green with a yellowish or grayish tint.
Externally, tsavorite is similar to emerald due to its color and pure glass luster, for which it is sometimes called the “African emerald.” The stone can be transparent or translucent. Its density is 3.61 g/cm3, and the Mohs hardness is 7-7.5.
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Gem color range
Since tsavorite is a rare stone, it is not divided into varieties. However, the color palette of Kenyan emerald is quite variable. Moreover, its shades are even richer than those of a “true” green gem.
The most expensive samples are deep green. But there are others too.
Tsavorite can be either light green or rich malachite. It all depends on the impurities that enter the crystal lattice of the stone during its formation in the bowels of the Earth.
A pure mineral, devoid of any foreign inclusions, is brown or dark gray. Such a crystal has no jewelry value, only scientific value. The most expensive varieties are rich green, but in general, the darker the shade, the more valuable the stone is.
Tsavorite is a green variety of garnet.
Gemstones got their name in ancient times, and it came from the warm countries of the East - pomegranate trees grow there, the fruits of which are filled with red juicy seeds. The stone was named for its resemblance to them. Shimmering garnet crystals fill the rock exactly like the seeds of a fruit.
But, as it turned out, garnets come in other colors.
The pomegranate palette is varied. Read about this in the article “Garnet is a chameleon among gems”
Tsavorite stone is a famous variety of the well-known garnet. Only tsavorite is not red, like the grains of a delicious oriental fruit, but emerald green, like an exotic kiwi.
But why does tsavorite green? Its color is given by ions of rare earth metals - chromium and vanadium, which certainly accompany tsavorite placers.
In the garnet family, green tsavorite is not alone. This color is characteristic of its “relatives” - grossular, demantoid, uvarovite.
When searching on Runet sites, you can find the spelling tsavolit .
In foreign sources, the name of the stone is written in two ways: Tsavorite or T savolite. In addition, tsavorite is often called Kenyan emerald .
Interesting facts about tsavorite
Tsavorite is a recently discovered mineral that has not yet been fully studied. This gives it a special charm of mystery. The most interesting facts about the gem are the following:
- According to geologists, tsavorite is one of the rarest stones on planet Earth, along with sultanite. Its deposits are estimated to be 300 times smaller in volume than emerald deposits.
- Finding tsavorite without special equipment is very difficult; a researcher may simply not notice the crystal among the rock.
- Tsavorite is very ancient. Its crystals formed when East Africa was still under the sea - billions of years ago.
Beauty, rarity, antiquity and difficulty of discovery are four reasons why tsavorite is considered one of the most expensive gems on planet Earth.
History and origin of the name
In 1967, a 20-year-old Scottish connoisseur of beautiful stones, Campbell Bridge, went to Tanzania to look for gems. In the mountains in the northeast of this African country, he came across a buffalo. While running away from him, he came across a previously unknown gem. Three years later, the same Campbell found similar stones in Kenya in the Taita region.
The stone lay in his personal collection for six years, until the enterprising Scot, who moved with his family to Kenya, met Henry Platt, the owner of the world famous Tiffany company. By this time, Bridge was already a fairly wealthy man, having arranged supplies from Africa of another rarity - tanzanite. It was discovered just a year before the discovery of tsavorite, but soon gained incredible popularity among collectors and lovers of unique jewelry.
During a conversation with Platt in 1973, Bridge spoke about his unusual find. Seeing the gem, Platt was literally fascinated by its emerald green. He named the stone “Tsavorite” in honor of the Tsavo National Park located near the discovery site.
In 1974, the stone was presented to the general public and became one of Tiffany's calling cards.
The discoverer himself, together with his son Bruce, continued to work with precious minerals, which aroused the envy of local residents. Working conditions in the mines were not easy. Miners had to manually dig clay for long periods of time in sweltering heat to find rare tanzanites and tsavorites. The depth of the mine often exceeded 100-200 meters, and all this was dug by hand so as not to miss the “pocket” of gems.
Kenyans often ambushed and raided geologists who, in their opinion, were plundering the country. In 2009, Campbell Bridge was attacked by a gang of 20 Kenyans. He was seriously injured and died in hospital at the age of 71. Four of the killers received a total of 160 years in prison.
In addition to the name “tsavorite”, it is known in another transcription “tsavorite”. It is sometimes called "tsavolite" or "tzavorite".
Applications and care
The main area of application for Kenyan emerald is jewelry. When cutting, a jeweler must maximize the richness of tsavorite shades, its properties and unique texture. The gem goes well with all precious metals - gold, silver, platinum.
Tsavorite is used to make bracelets, earrings, rings, and pendants. Not only Tiffany has a line of jewelry with Kenyan stone, but also another major jewelry house - Faberge. Many Hollywood stars, musicians and businessmen are fans of the gem. Among them was actress Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, mother of the now reigning Prince Albert II.
In addition to jewelry, tsavorite is also used in the magic of precious stones, as well as in lithotherapy to treat diseases. Kenyan emeralds are not used in industry or crafts.
Tsavorite is a stone that is quite durable and resistant to external influences. Caring for it does not require any special effort. It is enough to protect the stone from falling, and also wash it at least twice a year with a soap solution and a soft cloth.
How to care for tsavorite
Tsavorite has sufficient hardness and strength.
But still, they handle it with care, protecting it from prolonged exposure to sunlight and high humidity. It is recommended to remove products containing this stone when working with household chemicals. Clean tsavorites with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, rinse under running water, dry and polish with a soft cloth.
Healing properties
The energetic properties of the tsavorite stone have been studied in sufficient detail, despite the fact that the crystal was discovered relatively recently.
- Kenyan emerald helps against eye pain and swollen eyelids. It is enough to apply the stone to the organ of vision.
- Meditating on the mineral before bed helps cope with insomnia and also get rid of nightmares.
- People who suffer from instability of the nervous system, constant emotional breakdowns, and hysterics can also recommend Kenyan emerald. His pure, calming energy is able to pacify any emotional impulses when they are inappropriate.
- The gem also reduces a person’s susceptibility to magnetic and solar storms, changes in atmospheric pressure, and sudden changes in weather, which makes it very useful for weather-sensitive people.
- Kenyan emerald helps overcome fever.
The properties of tsavorite stone are a good help in treating diseases, but we should not forget about traditional medicine. The magic of noble stones works best in combination with medicines.
Compatibility with other stones in jewelry
The supernatural abilities of tsavorite can be enhanced if it is adjacent to certain crystals:
- with diamonds, the talisman will enable the owner to defend the principles of life in the most difficult situations;
- with emeralds – will improve mental well-being after stress;
- with citrines - will give an optimistic outlook on life and positive thinking;
- with grenades - will present the ability to receive money from all legal sources.
The Kenyan mineral cannot be worn together with heliotrope, ruby, jasper, chalcedony, bloodstone, and carnelian. And a combination with hyacinth, ruby, dark topaz, aventurine, amethyst, chrysoprase, peridot will be neutral.
The magical power of tsavorite
Although medieval alchemists and ancient magicians did not know about tsavorite grossular, its magical properties were still studied in detail. Psychics paid attention to the Kenyan emerald almost immediately after it was discovered.
The green talisman will help you find harmony in the family.
The calming aura of tsavorite affects family and friendly relationships, making a person calmer and more tolerant of family and friends. The gem is also capable of attracting cash flows. If you set the mineral in silver, it becomes a powerful amulet against evil spirits, thieves, and natural disasters.
The action of tsavorite is based on the fact that it absorbs negative energy. Therefore, if a gem is used as a talisman, it needs to be cleaned from time to time. The best solution for this is lightly salted water, in which the crystal is placed for several hours. After this, the water is poured as far as possible from human habitation.
Stone care
In order for a talisman to serve for a long time, it must be looked after.
Important information
The green mineral cannot be kept in the sun for a long time, as it can change its color. Therefore, it is better not to take tsavorite jewelry with you on vacation to the sea. Also, do not expose the gem to household chemicals and abrasives. When you come home, you must take off your jewelry.
It is better to store them in boxes separately from other crystals. After all, it is unknown what effect the minerals will have on each other. And once every 2-3 months, tsavorite needs to be recharged. To do this, during the full moon it must be placed on the windowsill. From the moonlight, the gemstone will be nourished with positive energy and will be able to further help its owner.
How to avoid becoming a victim of deceivers
Tsavorite is an expensive and beautiful stone, so it is counterfeited very often. It is very simple to distinguish a primitive fake made of glass or plastic: just squeeze the mineral in your fist or press it to the skin. The genuine stone will remain cold, the fake one will heat up.
Genuine, but cheaper stones can also be passed off as Kenyan emerald. The only way to combat this is to buy jewelry only in large certified stores, carefully studying the documentation.
Authenticity is especially important if the mineral is planned to be used as a magical amulet or healing mineral. You won't get the desired effect from a fake.
Glass and plastic are simply dead from an energy point of view, and cheaper stones can have completely different properties, sometimes opposite to those needed by a person buying a Kenyan emerald.
How to distinguish real tsavorite from a fake
Tsavorite is a rare mineral; they have not yet learned how to create it artificially, and since the demand for the stone is growing, imitations of natural tsavorite made from jewelry glass or synthetic aluminum garnet appear on the market every now and then.
Only a density specialist can distinguish them when viewed under high magnification. In addition, in appearance, tsavorites are very similar to uvarovites, demantoids and emeralds. The first two, as cheaper stones, can also be used to imitate tsavorite.
Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?
The properties of the tsavorite stone may vary depending on the zodiac sign to which the wearer belongs. Kenyan emerald has no contraindications, but you still need to know certain nuances.
When choosing an amulet, you can take into account not only zodiac compatibility, but also the kinship of characters.
The crystal is most suitable for Pisces and Cancers. He is able to save such carriers from excessive fuss and bring peace and tranquility into their lives. “Water” signs will get sick less often and will be able to improve their health and personal life.
All other signs can use the Kenyan emerald, but it may take time to connect with it.
However, the efforts spent on achieving harmony with the mineral pay off handsomely - the owner receives a powerful amulet with which he can confidently go through life without fear of trouble. Did you like the article? These stones may also interest you: fluorite, shungite, jade. Enjoy reading!
Astrological compatibility
Astrologers claim that tsavorite is suitable for all zodiac signs.
(“+++” – the stone fits perfectly, “+” – can be worn, “-” – is strictly contraindicated):
| Zodiac sign | Compatibility |
| Aries | + |
| Taurus | + |
| Twins | + |
| Cancer | +++ |
| a lion | + |
| Virgo | + |
| Scales | + |
| Scorpion | + |
| Sagittarius | + |
| Capricorn | + |
| Aquarius | + |
| Fish | +++ |
Also read: Fire opal - the magical properties of a unique stone
But more than others - Cancers and Pisces, which belong to the water element. Each person is given a chance to enlist the support of this mineral:
- Gemini will look at the world differently and will be able to see how beautiful it is.
- Aries will find harmony in relationships, become more responsible, which will lead to taking a leading position in anything.
- For Taurus, the talisman prepares peace, unhurriedness, while allowing them to be successful.
- The Leo amulet will protect you from everything bad, be it human anger or a nightmare.
- Libra will be able to handle all grandiose plans, the completion of which will always be successful.
- Virgos are guaranteed daily protection from any troubles.
- Sagittarius is given the opportunity to plan for the future, setting the right priorities in the present.
- Scorpios will become calmer, learn to dream, and become interested in the world around them.
- For Aquarius, the gem will help improve health - improve vision, improve digestion.
- Capricorns will become resistant to mood changes, improve their overall well-being, and maintain a youthful outlook.
- Pisces will find spiritual harmony, switch their thinking to a positive one, finding something in common with people.
- Cancers tend to go over past events in their heads, which makes it difficult to let go of the past. The Kenyan emerald can fix this.
In order to feel the power of a stone, it is not necessary to own a large specimen. A one-carat stone is enough. In addition, it is worth remembering that commercialism and anger deprive a person of the chance to receive the support of a talisman - the gem does not work for the benefit of such people.
Is this stone right for you?
