GARNET(TSAVORITE)[GEM]
Listing descriptio
Tsavorite or tsavolite is
a variety of the garnet group
species grossular, a calcium-aluminium garnet with the formula Ca3Al2Si3O12.[2]Trace amounts
of vanadium or chromium provide the
green color.
In 1967, British gem prospector and geologist Campbell R. Bridges discovered a deposit of green grossular in the mountains
of north-east Tanzania[3] in a place
called Lemshuko, 15 km (9.3 mi) away from Komolo, the first village.
The specimens he found were of very intense color and of high transparency. The
find interested the gem trade, and attempts were made to export the stones, but
the Tanzanian government did not provide permits.
detailed description
Believing that the deposit was a part of a larger
geological structure extending possibly into Kenya, Bridges began prospecting in that nation. He was successful a
second time in 1971, when he found the mineral variety there, and was granted a
permit to mine the deposit. The gemstone was known only to mineral specialists
until 1974, when Tiffany and Co launched a
marketing campaign which brought broader recognition of the stone.[3]
Bridges was murdered in 2009 when a mob attacked him
and his son on their property in Tsavo East
National Park. It is believed that the attack was connected to a
three-year dispute over access and control of Bridges' gemstone mines.[4]
The name tsavorite was proposed by
Tiffany and Co president Sir Henry Platt in honor of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya.[3] Apart from the
source locality in Tanzania it is also
found in Toliara (Tuléar) Province, Madagascar. Small deposits of
gem grade material have been found in Pakistan and Queen Maud Land, Antarctica.
No other occurrences of gem material have been discovered.[5]
Rare in gem-quality over several carats (1 carat = 200 mg), tsavorite has been
found in larger sizes. In late 2006 a 925-carat (185.0 g) crystal was
discovered. It yielded an oval mixed-cut 325 carat (65 g) stone, one of the
largest, if not the largest faceted tsavorites in the world. A
crystal that yielded a 120.68-carat (24.136 g) oval mixed-cut gem was also
uncovered in early 2006.[6]
Tsavorite formed in a Neoproterozoic metamorphic
event which involved extensive folding and refolding of rock. This resulted in
a wide range of inclusions forming within most Tsavorite crystals. These
inclusions are strong identifying features in Tsavorite.
PRICE
$11454672.17/KG OR $5206669.17/IB
For more information:
mobile: +2348039721941
contact person: emeaba uche
e-mail: emeabau@yahoo.com
website: www.franchiseminerals.com

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