Tsavorite Garnet (Africa)

[Sparkalicious]

Pandora and Harriet are driving me nuts with their gorgeous Tsavorites ... I MUST have one.

This one is on hold, not by me,

but visually it appeals to me.

Since I''m just learning about this gem, I would appreciate your opinions and advice. Is this or one like it a good one?

Click here to see.

 

[urseberry]

I''m no expert, but I do see a large window on that stone. Notice how the textured backing is visible under the table? I like the shape of that particular one, though, and in general, tsavorites are such a lovely color. Good luck with your search!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 3/9/2008 9:32:54 PM
Author: urseberry
I''m no expert, but I do see a large window on that stone. Notice how the textured backing is visible under the table? I like the shape of that particular one, though, and in general, tsavorites are such a lovely color. Good luck with your search!

Thanks for responding urseberry ... I know NOTHING about tsavorites so any advice you can offer is more than welcome and I appreciate it!

I think I see the large window to which you are referring ... this would likely explain the phenomenal price?

 

[Linda W]

There is a large window right in the middle of the stone. That means you can see right through the stone. You don''t want a stone like that.

Linda

 

[Sparkalicious]

Thank you, Linda!

I''ve learned something new today ... say no to windows.

Does this mean that I should NOT be able to see through a tsavorite?
I can''t think of the term but I know it''s not "opaque" but the stone shouldn''t be transparent like this one, right? I guess if it is transparent or if you can see all the way out of the bottom of it that it is not well cut?

 

[marcy]

Here is a great little article that gives you some info and tips to help determine if the stone is well cut or not. The stone should be transparent but you should not see through it because that means you are loosing light. I love tsavorites.

 

[Sparkalicious]

FANTASTIC! Thanks a lot, Marcy!

**eta - I get it now!

 

[marcy]

Great. I''ll even pull up that article sometimes when I am debating whether to order a gemstone online just to compare the images. Have fun shopping.

 

[bar01]

Tsavorite''s are great!

I just bought a small matched pair for a piece I am working on. I should be receiving them in the next week or two after the certs are complete. It was a better alternative choice to emerald for me. According to some sites:

"Many experts believe tsavorite will be the next demantoid, extinct and ultra- rare. It is often called the Rolls-Royce of greens at Cadillac prices. From a collectors perspective, tsavorite is 200 times more rare than emerald, it is cleaner, more brilliant and not oiled or treated in any way. At 1/4 - 1/2 the price of emerald, tsavorite offers excellent value when we consider its rarity. Today there are only a few mines operating in Kenya and Tanzania. Any stone above three carats is considered to be large and exceedingly rare. Sporadic production probably means higher prices and prices have been rising steadily. Collectors should look for bright attractive highly saturated greens, and avoid over dark stones"

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 3/9/2008 11:25:00 PM
Author: marcyc
Great. I''ll even pull up that article sometimes when I am debating whether to order a gemstone online just to compare the images. Have fun shopping.

Good idea ... I will do the same.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 3/10/2008 12:00:27 AM
Author: Bertrand
Tsavorite''s are great!

I just bought a small matched pair for a piece I am working on. I should be receiving them in the next week or two after the certs are complete. It was a better alternative choice to emerald for me. According to some sites:

''Many experts believe tsavorite will be the next demantoid, extinct and ultra- rare. It is often called the Rolls-Royce of greens at Cadillac prices. From a collectors perspective, tsavorite is 200 times more rare than emerald, it is cleaner, more brilliant and not oiled or treated in any way. At 1/4 - 1/2 the price of emerald, tsavorite offers excellent value when we consider its rarity. Today there are only a few mines operating in Kenya and Tanzania. Any stone above three carats is considered to be large and exceedingly rare. Sporadic production probably means higher prices and prices have been rising steadily. Collectors should look for bright attractive highly saturated greens, and avoid over dark stones''

Wow! Thanks Bertrand!

That''s great info ... unfortunately, I think you''ve enabled me even further especially now that I have a better idea of what to look for.

 

[Pandora II]

I like the colour on the stone you posted - but agree about the window.

On my stone, I haven''t been able to find a single inclusion even with a x10 loupe, it is completely transparent, but I can see anything through it at all - if that makes sense.

Every part of the stone sparkles - see on that picture how the edges are... the middle section will just look flat, whereas I get big flashes of green through the middle of mine as well as from the side facets.

The only great one I know at the moment is a 1.31ct oval (inventory no: 348 at Palagems) - it''s around the $2.3k mark. The price is good for a stone that good - I bought a 1.22ct oval that was almost as good, and it was fantastic when I saw it in real life.

 

[Catmom]

Oooo, Sparkalicious, I know what you mean about Tsavorites! I just caved and bought a 1.27 ct emerald cut one that I can''t wait to get my hands on. I love the color of the one you posted. Too bad about the window, though. Things I''ve learned from here are to not only say no to windows but also say no to extinction in a colored stone. I hope you are able to find a gorgeous one!

 

[Missrocks]

Tsavorite is one of my favorite green stones too. My personal favorites are the intense "grass" green stones with a medium tone. This bluish green color is also quite lovely! Good luck with your search.

PS. I think the phenomenal price is explained by a combination of the lower saturation level (intensity) and the window. Most of the tsavorites I have seen are a bit more saturated in color but also quite a bit more expensive.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 3/10/2008 10:50:53 AM
Author: Pandora II
I like the colour on the stone you posted - but agree about the window.

On my stone, I haven''t been able to find a single inclusion even with a x10 loupe, it is completely transparent, but I can see anything through it at all - if that makes sense.

Every part of the stone sparkles - see on that picture how the edges are... the middle section will just look flat, whereas I get big flashes of green through the middle of mine as well as from the side facets.

The only great one I know at the moment is a 1.31ct oval (inventory no: 348 at Palagems) - it''s around the $2.3k mark. The price is good for a stone that good - I bought a 1.22ct oval that was almost as good, and it was fantastic when I saw it in real life.

Ohh Pandora! It''s gorgeous.
Thanks for referring me to Palagems and for all the great information. You guys are just the BEST!
The descriptions are very helpful in trying to get this all sorted in my mind.
I was more looking for a squarish type shape - cushion??, I think but am not positive yet.
I will be sure to report back if I decide on anything.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 3/10/2008 12:35:49 PM
Author: Catmom
Oooo, Sparkalicious, I know what you mean about Tsavorites! I just caved and bought a 1.27 ct emerald cut one that I can''t wait to get my hands on. I love the color of the one you posted. Too bad about the window, though. Things I''ve learned from here are to not only say no to windows but also say no to extinction in a colored stone. I hope you are able to find a gorgeous one!

CATMOM -- You didn''t!

Hey ... now I can''t wait to see it either. Whatsoever are you going to do with it??

Thanks for your well wishes ... I will be keeping my eyes peeled for your gorgeous new gem.
If it looks anything like your avatar pic ring, I will be speechless ... I love that ring!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 3/10/2008 1:06:30 PM
Author: Missrocks
Tsavorite is one of my favorite green stones too. My personal favorites are the intense ''grass'' green stones with a medium tone. This bluish green color is also quite lovely! Good luck with your search.

PS. I think the phenomenal price is explained by a combination of the lower saturation level (intensity) and the window. Most of the tsavorites I have seen are a bit more saturated in color but also quite a bit more expensive.

Thanks for chiming in, Missrocks! Some more great info! I appreciate it. I figured it was a case of too good to be true. I notice that it is no longer on hold so maybe someone else was interested and read this thread? Oops.

It is a pretty stone but I really would like to get something more "perfect".

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Catmom]

Date: 3/10/2008 4:24:29 PM
Author: Sparkalicious

Date: 3/10/2008 12:35:49 PM
Author: Catmom
Oooo, Sparkalicious, I know what you mean about Tsavorites! I just caved and bought a 1.27 ct emerald cut one that I can''t wait to get my hands on. I love the color of the one you posted. Too bad about the window, though. Things I''ve learned from here are to not only say no to windows but also say no to extinction in a colored stone. I hope you are able to find a gorgeous one!

CATMOM -- You didn''t!

Hey ... now I can''t wait to see it either. Whatsoever are you going to do with it??

Thanks for your well wishes ... I will be keeping my eyes peeled for your gorgeous new gem.
If it looks anything like your avatar pic ring, I will be speechless ... I love that ring!

Awww, thanks Sparkalicious!! It''s set in a RH ring. It''s an antique style Parade Designs setting which I just love. I can''t wait to get it......maybe, fingers crossed........tomorrow!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Fingers crossed over here too! You do have your camera all warmed up and ready to go, right?

 

[Pandora II]

I looked for a square cushion before xmas and there was nothing around at all - only ovals.

It''s a case of hunting around. I''m told there isn''t much available right now of the good stuff, and prices are going up. I''d be interested to hear from anyone who saw anything at Tucson...

Do you have a set budget? Are you after a great stone, or something pretty?

You could put a search out with one of the PS vendors.

 

[movie zombie]

Date: 3/10/2008 10:50:53 AM
Author: Pandora II
I like the colour on the stone you posted - but agree about the window.

On my stone, I haven''t been able to find a single inclusion even with a x10 loupe, it is completely transparent, but I can see anything through it at all - if that makes sense.

Every part of the stone sparkles - see on that picture how the edges are... the middle section will just look flat, whereas I get big flashes of green through the middle of mine as well as from the side facets.

The only great one I know at the moment is a 1.31ct oval (inventory no: 348 at Palagems) - it''s around the $2.3k mark. The price is good for a stone that good - I bought a 1.22ct oval that was almost as good, and it was fantastic when I saw it in real life.

and that price would be about right for a quality tsavorite of that size. of course, there is a bit of a price hike in buying from palagems but you''re also paying for their ''eye'' in seeing and finding a quality stone. i prefer a quality tsav over emerald.....but quality tsav is already high....and will probably go higher.

movie zombie

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 3/10/2008 7:52:45 PM
Author: Pandora II
I looked for a square cushion before xmas and there was nothing around at all - only ovals.

It''s a case of hunting around. I''m told there isn''t much available right now of the good stuff, and prices are going up. I''d be interested to hear from anyone who saw anything at Tucson...

Do you have a set budget? Are you after a great stone, or something pretty?

You could put a search out with one of the PS vendors.

Interesting .. I wonder why only ovals? Is it something about the stone that looks better as an oval?? I wouldn''t think so but just curious if anyone knows if its something other than coincidence.

I don''t have a set budget. I really am after a "great" stone and not just something pretty but given that this is the case, I may have to wait to purchase it.

I think I will ask my jeweler to try and source it and see what she comes up with ...

You wouldn''t happen to know anything about gold citrine, would you? Is it less expensive? A nice gem?? I saw a really gorgeous one and have been weighing that against a Tsavorite.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 3/10/2008 9:13:16 PM
Author: movie zombie
and that price would be about right for a quality tsavorite of that size. of course, there is a bit of a price hike in buying from palagems but you''re also paying for their ''eye'' in seeing and finding a quality stone. i prefer a quality tsav over emerald.....but quality tsav is already high....and will probably go higher.

movie zombie

I had no idea that tsav was so spendy ... I really would like to get a lovely one now before the prices go up, however, if they are so high, I might not be able to. Hmmpf!

Given what others have shared and what I have seen, I really tend to lean towards tsav over emerald as well.

Any reason as to why it appears emeralds enjoy greater popularity?

 

[Harriet]

To me, emeralds and tsavorites are just different beasts.

 

[Sparkalicious]

How so, Harriet? Would you mind elaborating? I''m interested.

 

[bar01]

A fun web page to look at some green''s

 

[Harriet]

Date: 3/11/2008 1:06:41 AM
Author: Sparkalicious
How so, Harriet? Would you mind elaborating? I''m interested.

Emeralds, to me at least, are velvety. Tsavorites, in comparison, are more brilliant. I can''t choose between the two, which is why I have both. Bad, right?

 

[movie zombie]

high quality tsav is still not as expensive as really high quality emerald and they are two entire different looks of green.

beauty is in the eye of the beholder and there is something for every budget: just don''t expect that $1000 or less is going to buy a really high grade quality one carat plus tsav when those go for more than $1k per carat....... remember: everything remains the same in the world of color as it was in the diamond world. the expectation that color stones will be less expensive and are easier to buy is a fallacy. i actually find it harder to shop for a quality color stone.

golden citrine:
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588017/Citrine.html
http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/citrine.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrine

movie zombie

 

[Sparkalicious]

Oooo Bertrand! That is fun. Thanks for the website! I''ve saved it to my favorites so that I can spend some time checking it out.

Harriet, thank you! Bad? You? -- Never!

This is a FANTASTIC explanation. I never really thought about gems in a "texturized" sense, so to speak, however, your explanation really helped me to "get" the difference between the two. Given this, I believe, that I am likely drawn to tsavorites due to their brilliance as well.

Can I be bad too? Might there be emeralds in my future as well?

My goodness, Movie Zombie. You are a wealth of knowledge! I''m glad I asked. I''m learning so much! Thanks for the links on golden citrine. I am going to check them out.
I do believe you are right ... It is difficult to find quality color stones and not really altogether that much less expensive than diamonds at all. Boo!

 

[Catmom]

Oooo, Spark, you really have to get a tsavorite, they are amazing and the color is so yummy! I hope you find yours soon!