Hey there! Get ready to embark on a fascinating journey to explore one unique gemstone that is exclusively found in the captivating continent of Africa. Yes, you guessed it right, it’s a green gemstone that shines with an almost mystical light, bringing forth the raw beauty and allure of the African landscape. Intrigued yet? Let’s dive deeper into the story of this rare and beautiful green stone that solely calls Africa its home.

“What Green Stone Is Only Found In Africa?”

Do you consider yourself a gem enthusiast or perhaps a lover of unique, beautiful stones? If so, we’re going to journey through the heart of Africa, beneath its rich and vibrant landscapes to reveal a unique green stone found nowhere else on earth. Our topic for today is the verdant and captivating stone called Tsavorite.

Introduction to Tsavorite

Tsavorite is a fascinating green gemstone that astounds with its vibrant natural color and captivating sparkle. This precious green stone is a type of garnet that derives its name from Kenya’s Tsavo National Park where it was first recognized.

Tsavorite: Unveiling Its Uniqueness

Unlike the common perception of garnet as a red gem, tsavorite captures the eyes with its brilliant, deep green hue. In fact, it’s one of the most intense green gems on the planet and many gemologists compare its bright emerald-like color with the finest emeralds. The striking quality of tsavorite is that its color is all-natural; it doesn’t undergo any forms of heat treatment or enhancements like many other gemstones. The beauty you see is genuinely a creation by Mother Nature itself.

Discovery and History of Tsavorite

Your admiration for this amazing mineral wouldn’t be complete without knowing its unique history. Tsavorite has a relatively recent entry into the world of gemstones as it was discovered just a few decades ago.

The Serendipitous Discovery

Tsavorite was relatively unknown until the late 1960s. Noted gemologist and British geologist Campbell R. Bridges stumbled upon the green stone in Tanganyika’s Lelatema Mountains (which is now part of Tanzania). Later in 1971, Bridges discovered another deposit of Tsavorite in Kenya’s Tsavo National Park. In homage to the park, Tiffany & Co., the iconic American jewelers chose to call this dazzling green stone “Tsavorite”.

Where is Tsavorite Found?

Exclusive to Africa, tsavorite has become synonymous with the continent’s spirit and color. Its deposits are primarily present in Kenya and Tanzania.

Basic Geology defining the Occurrence

Tsavorite is found in graphitic gneisses, marbles or amphibolites. The gem forms under intense heat and pressure conditions with the presence of vanadium or chromium, which gives it its beautiful green color.

However, mining tsavorite is extremely difficult. Because of the narrow mining ‘strips’, a large amount of rock has to be moved to get to the gems, making tsavorite one of the most labor-intensive gemstones to mine. This difficulty in extraction combined with the gem’s rarity gives tsavorite its premium status in the gemstone market.

Characteristics of Tsavorite

The features of tsavorite are unparalleled, making this gem a much-loved choice for jewellers and gemstone enthusiasts globally.

Beauty in its Brilliance and Color

Tsavorite has a high refractive index, meaning it can bend light powerfully. This attribute along with its excellent clarity attributes to the gem’s impressive brilliance.

As for its color, unlike many gems which must be cut in specific ways to enhance the color, tsavorite’s green shade is consistently vibrant in all sizes and shapes. Its unenhanced beauty has been a reason for its increasing popularity in the gem world.

Durability and Hardness

Tsavorite ranks 7 to 7.5 on Mohs hardness scale, making it durable enough for all types of jewelry. It doesn’t possess cleavage (a tendency of crystals to split in certain directions), which increases its toughness and reduces the chances of cracking or chipping under impact.

Tsavorite in Jewelry

Once you know all about tsavorite, you’ll certainly fall in love with how stunningly this gem enhances jewelry pieces.

Tsavorite’s Versatility in Jewelry Designs

Tsavorite is exceptionally versatile and can be fashioned into a variety of jewelry pieces. Its rich green color lends an exquisite vibe to rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings alike. Be it a solitaire or a piece of intricate design, the charming green tsavorite never fails to amaze.

Tsavorite: A Sustainable and Ethical Choice

Tsavorite mining doesn’t involve large-scale open pit operations as seen in many other gemstone mining. It’s more of small scale, artisanal mining, making tsavorite a much more eco-friendly gemstone. It’s a major reason why socially conscious consumers prefer tsavorite over other stones.

Conclusion

In your quest for the uniquely African green stone, you’ve not just discovered tsavorite’s intense beauty but also appreciated the hardships in extracting them, their features, and desirability in jewelry. With each piece of Tsavorite, you own a bit of Africa, celebrating the continent’s depth, richness, and vibrancy. No wonder, tsavorite garnet, with its vivid green shade and African roots, has become a prized possession for gem collectors and jewelry connoisseurs, leaving a green imprint in the colorful spectrum of gemstones.