Tsavorite is a green, grossular garnet first discovered in the mountains of northeast Tanzania, and later in Kenya . It has a fresh, vivid green color, good wearing qualities, great brilliance and relatively reasonable prices. Unlike many other gemstones, Tsavorite is neither heated nor oiled. This gemstone does not need any treatment – it is beautiful in its pure, natural form. The color range of the Tsavorite runs from a light green, to an intense cool green, to a deep forest green. Cut Tsavorite of more than two carats is a rare and precious thing.
Merelani Mint garnets are named after their mining locality, the Merelani Hills of Tanzania. Like Tsavorites, they are also categorized as grossular garnets. In fact, Merelani Mint Green Garnet is just a light green cousin of Tsavorite. Its pastel green color is becoming more and more popular among collectors and jewelry designers. Unfortunately, just as in the case of Tsavorite, fine quality Merelani Mint garnets are getting very difficult to find in sizes above 2 carats, even gems 1+ carat are becoming quite expensive.
