All About Tsavorite: The Gem Changing the Face of Watches and Jewelry

In the 21st century, there are the classic gemstones and there are the newcomers. You have almost certainly heard of diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds (the so-called “big four”), but you might not know much about more recent discoveries, such as Tsavorite. While Tsavorite may not be a household name, this strong and brilliant green gem is making waves in the world of watches and jewelry.

Let’s explore the history of Tsavorite to discover why it is taking over as the predominant green gemstone around the world. We will also dive into its popularity in jewelry and watches – plus, we’ll point you in the right direction if you are looking for an iconic Tsavorite piece of your own!

While jewelers have been creating pieces with sapphires and emeralds for centuries, Tsavorite is a relatively new face in the world of gemstones. It was discovered in the 1960s in East Africa and is a rare stone that has added a new dimension to the typical choices of green jewels. A variety of the mineral garnet, Tsavorite is renowned for its vivid colors and natural clarity.

The first Tsavorite deposits were found by a British geologist in the Tsavo National Park region, which straddles Kenya and Tanzania. The East African Rift system is the primary source of Tsavorite today. The stone is found in metamorphic rock and is typically discovered in small sizes, making large cuts of Tsavorite incredibly rare and exponentially valuable. This mining area is also less well-developed, meaning that each Tsavorite stone has a special journey to its ultimate owner. From the wild plains of Tanzania to its final resting place, set in fine jewelry in New York and Miami, Tsavorite is a breathtaking gem that embodies natural perfection.

Many other gemstones are treated to enhance their color and clarity – but with Tsavorite, that is not necessary. The gem is born from the earth already vibrant in hue and near-perfect in clarity, making it a perfect choice for those who value the utmost in natural beauty. The color of Tsavorite can range from a bright spring green to a deep forest green tone, making it ideal for jewelry and bedazzled creations of any variety.

Additionally, Tsavorite scores between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs scale of relative hardness. Diamonds, of course, are a perfect 10 – they are the hardest naturally occurring mineral. For reference, rubies and sapphires are next hardest, ranked at a 9. When using gemstones to create jewelry, it is crucial to consider hardness, but that is just one piece of the equation. When stones have high levels of clarity, like Tsavorite does, they are stronger and more difficult to break. As such, Tsavorite is considered a highly valuable stone as it can withstand everyday wear extremely well – much better, in fact, than the traditional green stone of choice, emerald.

This discussion of Tsavorite’s hardness and durability perfectly leads us into our discussion of Tsavorite as compared with other green gems. As many people know, the emerald has been the most coveted green gem for centuries. A staple of couture since antiquity (some of the oldest emerald mines date back to Cleopatra’s reign in Egypt) emeralds boast rich green coloring and ongoing cultural significance.

However, with the developments in today’s modern jewelry and watch world, there are a few considerations that are important to look at if you are considering purchasing a piece involving emeralds. While emeralds are ranked at 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, they do not have a particularly high rating when it comes to natural clarity.

Emeralds are a form of the mineral beryl – and like most beryl, they usually contain inclusions. These inclusions are sometimes referred to as “jardin” by emerald enthusiasts. While jardin is typically accepted by emerald lovers as part of their naturally occurring character, it also makes these stones more brittle and more prone to breakage. As such, emeralds are simply not as durable as Tsavorite, making them less well suited to jewelry that might knock into things through daily wear (think of engagement rings and watches).

Other green gemstones that can be used in jewelry and watches include peridot, green sapphire, aventurine, and malachite. Peridot is the birthstone associated with the month of August, but it ranks only 6.5 on the Mohs scale, making it susceptible to scratches. Aventurine similarly ranks at a 6.5, and malachite ranks at just 3.5, making it an easily damaged stone best reserved for earrings or small pendant necklaces. Green sapphire is appealing with its rank of 9 on the Mohs scale, but the color of green sapphires is much less vibrant than that of emeralds or, of course, Tsavorite.

Overall, it is clear why Tsavorite is taking off in popularity in the world of gemstones. Its vibrant hues, natural clarity, and strong hardness ranking make it perfect for jewelry and watches of all varieties. Wearers do not have to worry about damaging these stones, which can withstand virtually any of the trials and travails of everyday wear, even in high-touch pieces such as rings and watches. When you see a piece of Tsavorite and take in the vivid coloring and striking clarity for yourself, you will immediately understand how it has become one of the world’s most coveted minerals.

Also called the “Garden of Eden” green garnet, Tsavorite is a popular choice for all different kinds of jewelry. You will see Tsavorite pieces including earrings, necklaces, rings, and tennis bracelets from high-profile names like Tiffany & Co., Bergdorf Goodman, Jean Schlumberger, David Yurman, Suzanne Kalan, Boucheron and others.

These elite jewelers are not skimping on prices, either. For instance, Boucheron’s mixed gem “Masy the Chameleon” ring, which features a primarily Tsavorite-based design as well as some rubies and sapphires, recently sold on auction at Christie’s for over $75,000. A David Yurman pendant with pave Tsavorite stones was recently priced at over $5,000 as well.

Now, Tsavorite is making a striking debut on the watch scene with Avi & Co.’s new Hue Collection watch releases. Other watchmakers such as Bulgari, Jacob & Co., and Chopard have dipped a toe in the Tsavorite revolution, but Avi & Co. is diving headfirst into this vibrant and rare gemstone to create a true Tsavorite masterpiece.

Pause for a moment to take in the beauty of this eye-catching Avi & Co. green Tsavorite watch. There is simply nothing else like it on the market today. With 945 all-natural green Tsavorite stones, sourced from the gem’s original discovery location in Tanzania, the jewel count alone is enough to turn heads. But that’s not all there is to love about this Tsavorite beauty.

Crafted from 18K white gold, which perfectly complements the vibrant green rocks, the watch’s dial is completely iced out with 115 carats of natural Tsavorite. There are no dial markers to interrupt the pristine beauty of this piece. Instead, watch in awe as the flawless Tsavorite catches the light from every angle, a paragon of beauty on your own wrist.

The 44 mm case size makes this Tsavorite watch the perfect size for wearers of any gender. For this with smaller wrists, the watch will be an oversize statement piece. For those with larger wrists, the heft of the piece makes it a versatile option for quietly luxurious streetwear and formal evening wear alike. The only question left is… where will you be wearing your brand-new Avi & Co. Tsavorite watch?

In addition to the vibrant green color of this piece, you can also check out the Avi & Co. Hue Collection watches in blue, red, and pink, each with a unique, natural stone selection and nearly one thousand stones set in prized white or rose gold. Explore the Hue Collection today to discover more about this unparalleled line of watches.

You probably already know Avi & Co. as a premier reseller of vetted and verified Richard Mille, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe watches. But Avi & Co. also boasts three striking watch lines of its own. From the Iced Collection to the Frosted Collection and now the Hue Collection, Avi & Co. watches are shaking up the horological world as we know it.

The brand-new Hue Collection watch releases – available in green Tsavorite, red ruby, blue sapphire, and pink sapphire – are flying out our doors. So if you want to get your hands on one of these exclusive pieces, don’t wait another moment to schedule an appointment. Our three luxe showrooms are conveniently located in New York City, Miami, and Aspen – so no matter where you are located, stop by today to experience the beauty of the Hue Collection on your very own wrist.