Tsavorite
Tsavorite is a very rare gemstone, highly prized for its green color and transparency. Tsavorite jewelry is sought-after and almost rivals emerald jewelry. It is the birthstone of January natives. It is associated with the zodiac signs of Aries, Gemini, Virgo and Scorpio.
Tsavorite ©Gemmantia
What is tsavorite made of?
It's a glossy garnet composed of calcium aluminum silicate. Its high refractive index and strength (between 6.5 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale) make tsavorite stand out and earn it the title of "queen of garnets".
This semi-precious stone has the advantage of being less fragile thanemerald. The color of tsavorite can vary from light green to a more intense emerald green, and bluish reflections can sometimes be found in the semi-precious stone. Its color is due to traces of vanadium or chromium in its composition.
Where does tsavorite come from?
Tsavorite was discovered rather recently, in the 1960s. It was in Tsavo Park, between Tanzania and Kenya, that tsavorite was first found, a park which later gave its name to the green stone.
Today, it is found mainly in Tanzania and Kenya, and in very small quantities in Madagascar and Quebec.
What does tsavorite symbolize?
Tsavorite has many virtues and meanings. First of all, it is the stone of heroism, symbolizing bravery and tenacity. Wearing tsavorite jewelry is said to help build self-confidence and courage.
What's more, this green stone is similar to a stone of protection, protecting love relationships by giving them new meaning and strengthening them. It's also the stone of renewal and hope, helping to guide us towards new goals.
which metal to combine with tsavorite?
Tsavorite is most often associated withwhite gold or platinum, which bring out its transparent green color.
However, therose gold andyellow gold bring out the intensity of the fine stone, as well as its bluish reflections when present.
How to look after your tsavorite jewelry?
Unlikeemerald and mother-of-pearl, tsavorite is not a fragile stone. To maintain or restore the brilliance of your tsavorite jewelry, simply soak it in soapy water for several hours, then rinse with clean water.
You can also gently rub your jewelry with a baby toothbrush, for example, to remove any impurities that may have lodged around the stone.
