TSAVORITE GARNET

Tsavorite garnets, specifically the vanadium-bearing green grossular variety, formed in graphitic gneisses through high-temperature metamorphic processes during the Pan-African orogeny, with documented geological ages of around 570 to 540 million years ago. While these minerals are incredibly ancient, the gem variety of the material was not formally observed until 1967. Discovered by Scottish-born Kenyan geologist Campbell R. Bridges, it was later named by Tiffany & Co. President Henry Platt in the year 1974. Platt chose to name the material in honor of Kenya’s Tsavo National Park, which lies near the Kenya-Tanzania border. Tiffany & Co. played a crucial role in bringing the gemstone to international recognition through a major marketing campaign that was aimed at creating praise for the material as a valuable gem competitor to another famed green mineral, called emerald. Tsavorite garnet, which is between 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale, is generally softer than emerald, which is between 7.5–8; however, tsavorite is significantly more durable and less prone to breaking or chipping than emerald, which often contains natural inclusions or fractures that weakens the structure, making tsavorites a more suitable choice for gem and jewelry production. Additionally, tsavorites are considered over 200x more rare than emerald, with only a few localities worldwide being discovered as a resource for the material. This is due to the extremely rare geological processes under which the gems host rock had initially been created. The vast majority of gem-grade tsavorite is found along the border of Kenya and Tanzania, where it was first discovered; however, minor deposits or occurrences have also been identified in Madagascar, Pakistan, and Queen Maud Land in Antarctica, though they have not produced significant amounts of the material.

GARNET

Garnets are a group of silicate minerals that have been used as gemstones and abrasives since the Bronze Age. All species of garnets possess similar physical characteristics and crystal formations, but differ in their chemical compositions. Garnet species are found in every color, with red to black shades being the most common; Whereas, a 1990 Madagascan discovery of color changing blue garnets are considered some of the rarest. The color shifting blue to green garnets gain this ability from elevated amounts of vanadium that is present within its composition.

The different species of garnet are andradite, pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular, and uvarovite. Garnets are most often found in the dodecahedral crystal habit, but are also commonly found in the trapezohedron habit as well as the hexoctahedral habit. Because the chemical composition of garnet varies from species to species, the atomic bonds in certain examples are stronger than in others. As a result, the garnet mineral group shows a Mohs hardness range of about 6 to 7.5.

GARNET HISTORY

The word garnet comes from the 14th-century Middle English word gernet, meaning 'dark red'. It is also associated with the Latin word granatus, from granum, which is translated to 'grain, or seed'. This could be in reference to the plant ‘pomum granatum’, or pomegranate, which is a plant whose fruits contain plentiful and vivid red seed covers, called arils. They are similar in shape, size, and color to common garnet crystals, alluding to the possibility of its early association and distinction. Red garnets were the most commonly used gemstones during the Antique Roman world, as well as in the Migration Period art and jewelry of the "barbarian" groups who took over the territories of the Western Roman Empire. The gems were often inlaid within finely crafted gold jewelry using the cloisonné technique, and a style simply called “garnet cloisonné” became increasingly popular. Innumerable shipments of gold, silver and red garnet gems and jewelry were imported and exported from Rome, Greece, and certain parts of the Middle East; additionally, recent findings such as the Staffordshire Hoard and the pendant of the Winfarthing Woman of Norfolk confirm an established gem trade route with South India and Tamraparni, which is now called Sri Lanka.

Pure crystals of garnet are still commonly used as gemstones today. In the United States it is known as the birthstone for January, and is the state mineral of Connecticut, as well as New York's state gemstone. Furthermore, a complex and included variety called “star garnet”, which is garnet with rutile asterisms, is the state gemstone of Idaho.

GARNET INDUSTRIAL USES

Garnet sand is an extremely good abrasive, and a common replacement for silica sand within industrial use for sand blasting. Alluvial garnet grains, which are rounder, tend to be much more suitable for such blasting treatments. Mixed with high-pressure water, garnet can also be used to cut steel and other materials when used in water jets. Unlike alluvial garnets, water jet applications often require garnets with much harder impact ratios, where crystallin faces of the garnet are more distinct in their structure, providing more friction and cutting power. Additionally, it is quite often used as an abrasive in sand paper for un-finished woodworking and cabinetry creation. Adding to the extensive list of common applications, it is also used in many multi-step water filtration systems. Today, the largest source of abrasive alluvial garnet is found within garnet-rich beach sand, which is extensively abundant on the Indian and Australian coasts, from where it is most commonly resourced. For the purpose of grinding aggregate and water jet applications, the United States is considered a primary exporter. Rock Garnet, which is often the term used for harder, more abrasive garnet, is first crushed in a mill, then wind-blown and magnetically separated before being applied to and used within its industrial function.

TSAVORITE GARNET METAPHYSICS

Metaphysically, tsavorite garnet is said to facilitate grounding, stabilizing, and protective frequencies of the Root Chakra, as well as providing energy of emotional-release, connection, and self-Love from the Heart Chakra. Additionally, tsavorite garnet is considered a stone of personal empowerment and motivation, calling on its user to press forward and into the unknown in search of their destiny driven ambitions and triumphs. Furthermore, it is said to aid the libido by facilitating healthy blood flow to the reproductive organs. Physically, garnet is said to aid the body with assimilation of calcium, magnesium, and iron; as well as assisting and maintaining white blood cell formation and facilitating proper functions of the heart and lungs.