Question 1

Is tsavorite more valuable than emerald?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the stones being compared. Fine emerald in larger sizes generally commands higher prices, but good tsavorite is valued well above most other garnets and can rival mid-range emerald per carat. Tsavorite offers more brilliance and is usually untreated, while emerald is commonly clarity-enhanced. Buyers often choose between them on appearance, durability and budget rather than rarity alone.

Question 2

Is tsavorite treated?

Accepted Answer

Tsavorite is generally not treated. It is not normally heated, oiled or filled, which is one of its advantages over many green gemstones. A laboratory report is still recommended for significant stones to confirm natural grossular garnet and rule out imitations such as glass or other green materials, which can look similar in small sizes.

Question 3

What is the difference between tsavorite and demantoid garnet?

Accepted Answer

Both are green garnets, but tsavorite is grossular (calcium aluminium garnet) and demantoid is andradite (calcium iron garnet). Demantoid has higher dispersion and a softer hardness of about 6.5 to 7, while tsavorite is slightly harder and more durable. Demantoid from Russia may show horsetail inclusions, which do not occur in tsavorite. A gemmologist can separate them with standard testing.

Question 4

Why are large tsavorites hard to find?

Accepted Answer

Tsavorite crystals form in metamorphic rocks under conditions that rarely allow large, clean crystals to grow. Most rough yields small finished stones, and fractures further limit the size of clean material. As a result, the majority of tsavorite is under one carat, and well-coloured clean stones above a few carats appear on the market only occasionally.

Tsavorite Garnet