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name:
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Tsavorite Garnet
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| gemstone variety:
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Garnet
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| trade name 1:
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Tsavorite Garnet
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| trade name 2:
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Tsavolite
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| trade name 3:
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| basic colour:
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green
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Colour :
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light to dark green
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Quality :
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the more desirable colour is a vivid emerald-green
colour. The intensity should be an optimum, not a maximum.
Facetted Tsavorite should have no disturbing inclusions and
balanced proportions in the cut
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History :
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In 1968 this fantastic emerald-green Grossular garnet
was discovered in East Africa by the Scottish geologist
C.R.Bridges. The name Tsavorite (that means the stone from
the Tsavo Park) was given by Tiffany & Co. in New York
in 1974. In comparison to emerald, the production of
Tsavorite is very low in quantity (less than 1,000 carats a
year). One main reason for this are the difficulties in
mining: the region is also home to snakes, lions and other
wild animals!
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Curiosities / Saga :
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Countrys of Origin :
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Northern Tanzania, southern Kenya in the Tsavo
National Park
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Birthstone :
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January - Garnet
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Hardness :
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7.5
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Treatment :
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none
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Size :
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mostly smaller stone of less than 1.00 carats.
Tsavorites weighing 2.00 carats and more are very rare in
gem quality
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Specific gravity :
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3.60 - 3.68
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Chemical Composition Formula :
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Ca3 Al2 (SiO4)3 + Cr2O3, V2O3
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Chemical Composition Name :
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chrome and vanadium bearing calcium- aluminium-
silicate
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Crystal system :
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cubic
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Light refraction :
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1.739 to 1.744
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Double refraction :
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single refractive
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