1.50 Ct. Tsavorite Garnet from East Africa

One beautiful transparent 1.50 carat oval shape green tsavorite garnet, measuring 8.89 by 5.87 by 3.63 millimeters, presents a technically refined example of East African gem material. The stone is cut in a mixed brilliant style, combining a brilliant facet pattern on the crown with a step influenced pavilion, a strategy chosen to maximize face up color saturation while maintaining efficient light return. The length to width ratio is approximately 1.52, yielding a balanced oval profile that sits elegantly in most ring or pendant settings. The overall depth calculates to approximately 49.2 percent relative to the average girdle diameter, a proportion that supports strong face up presence without excessive windowing or a deep, dark pavilion. Clarity is graded as very slightly included at eye level, indicating only minor internal features that do not detract from the gem when set or worn, and the polish is excellent, delivering crisp facet junctions and lively surface reflection. There has been no enhancement to this tsavorite, an important factor for collectors, and the material traces to East Africa, a region known for producing the most desirable, vividly green tsavorites.

From an optical and material science perspective, this tsavorite demonstrates characteristics that appeal to technically minded buyers. Tsavorite is an isometric garnet, so it lacks birefringence and pleochroism, producing a uniform color response as the stone is rotated, a property that simplifies setting decisions and color matching. The vivid green intensity observed here is a result of trace vanadium and chromium content, and is presented in a pure green that leans neither too yellow nor too blue, which is often described as ideal for tsavorite. The mixed brilliant cutting approach on this piece concentrates the brightest faceting angles on the crown to disperse light and create scintillation, while the pavilion geometry controls the light path to deepen face up color. The eye level clarity grade of very slightly included means that inclusions are small and typically limited to pinpoint or very fine crystals, common in natural tsavorite, and these do not compromise structural integrity since garnet is an isotropic crystal without natural cleavage planes. With a Mohs hardness in the range of 7 to 7.5, and a specific gravity typical of grossular garnet class, this gem combines reasonable abrasion resistance with a robustness that is well suited to regular wear when properly protected.

For a piece intended to become a generational heirloom, setting and craftsmanship are critical to preserve both the gemstone and its aesthetic value. A restrained bezel or low profile four prong setting placed within a protective shoulder will minimize edge contact and reduce the risk of chipping to the girdle, while a slightly elevated cathedral structure can allow light to engage the pavilion without exposing the stone to impact. Platinum and 18 karat gold alloys are recommended for long term durability and minimal maintenance, with platinum offering superior tensile strength and resistance to deformation, and 18 karat yellow or rose gold providing a warm contrast that enhances the vivid green. For customers seeking to emphasize brilliance, a halo of well matched melee diamonds cut to complementary proportions will increase apparent size and reflect additional white light into the tsavorite without masking its unique green. All bezel and prong work should incorporate tight tolerances and reinforced prong shoulders, and an internal setting seat that conforms closely to the girdle ellipse will prevent rotational movement and preserve facet alignment through generations.

Creating a true heirloom requires attention to provenance, documentation, and long term maintenance, areas where The Natural Gemstone Company provides guidance and support. Retain a gemological report that records carat weight, dimensions, cutting style, clarity observations as very slightly included at eye level, vivid color intensity, polish grade excellent, absence of enhancement, and East African origin. Archive high resolution images of the stone set and unset, and have the piece inspected and cleaned by a qualified jeweler every one to three years to recheck prong integrity and to professionally remove accumulated oils or debris. Given the stable chemical nature of tsavorite, routine ultrasonic cleaning is generally acceptable for intact, non fracture filled stones, but seek professional confirmation before using mechanical cleaning methods. If resizing or repurposing is anticipated for future generations, preserve a small margin in design that allows for controlled rehanding without excessive cutting, and document any alterations to maintain historical continuity. The combination of a naturally vivid, unenhanced East African tsavorite, precise mixed brilliant cutting, and considered setting choices makes this 1.50 carat oval an ideal candidate to pass down, both for its aesthetic longevity and for the recorded technical data that will assure future custodians of its origin and quality. The Natural Gemstone Company stands ready to advise on setting specifications, secure certification, and long term care so this tsavorite can be preserved and cherished for generations.