Tsavorite
A variety of Grossular
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About Tsavorite
Gooseberries
Formula:
Ca3Al2(SiO4)3
Name:
Named proposed by Tiffany and Co. president Sir Henry Platt after the Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, which lies near where tsavorite was originally found. It was first discovered by the Scottish-born Kenyan gemologist Campbell R. Bridges (1937 – 11 August 2009), in Lemshuko, 15 km away from Komolo, in north-east Tanzania (Bridges, 1974).
The original grossular was named "cinnamon stone" ("Kanelstein" in German) in 1803 by Abraham Gottlob Werner and renamed grossularite by Werner in 1808. Named for the colour of gooseberries (Ribes grossularium) as the original specimens were this colour.
The original grossular was named "cinnamon stone" ("Kanelstein" in German) in 1803 by Abraham Gottlob Werner and renamed grossularite by Werner in 1808. Named for the colour of gooseberries (Ribes grossularium) as the original specimens were this colour.
First Recorded Locality:
A trade name for a green Cr- and V-bearing variety of grossular.
Major occurrences are in Kenya and Tanzania.
Five chemical types were recognized for the Neoproterozoic Metamorphic Mozambique Belt material (Feynerol et al., 2013, 2017:
- vanadian grossular, V>Cr>Mn
- vanadian grossular, V>Mn>Cr
- Mn-bearing vanadian grossular, Mn>V>Cr
- Mn-bearing chromian grossular, Mn>Cr>V
- Cr- and Mn-bearing grossular, Cr>Mn>V
The types differ in terms of their UV-VIS-IR spectra. Fe2+-Ti4+ charge transfer is possible. Trace OH groups may be present.
See also: https://www.mindat.org/article.php/4216/Tsavorite
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Tsavorite.
Major occurrences are in Kenya and Tanzania.
Five chemical types were recognized for the Neoproterozoic Metamorphic Mozambique Belt material (Feynerol et al., 2013, 2017:
- vanadian grossular, V>Cr>Mn
- vanadian grossular, V>Mn>Cr
- Mn-bearing vanadian grossular, Mn>V>Cr
- Mn-bearing chromian grossular, Mn>Cr>V
- Cr- and Mn-bearing grossular, Cr>Mn>V
The types differ in terms of their UV-VIS-IR spectra. Fe2+-Ti4+ charge transfer is possible. Trace OH groups may be present.
See also: https://www.mindat.org/article.php/4216/Tsavorite
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Tsavorite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7836 (as Tsavorite)
1755 (as Grossular)
1755 (as Grossular)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7836:4 (as Tsavorite)
mindat:1:1:1755:4 (as Grossular)
mindat:1:1:1755:4 (as Grossular)
Similar Names
| Tavorite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | LiFe3+(PO4)(OH) |
Pronunciation of Tsavorite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Chemistry of Tsavorite
Mindat Formula:
Ca3Al2(SiO4)3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| SiO2 | 38.61 % |
| TiO2 | 0.40 % |
| Al2O3 | 19.64 % |
| Cr2O3 | 0.48 % |
| Fe2O3 | |
| Y2O3 | |
| V2O3 | 2.99 % |
| FeO | 0.07 % |
| MnO | 1.13 % |
| MgO | 0.68 % |
| CaO | 34.82 % |
| Total: | 98.82 % |
Sample references:
First Recorded Occurrence of Tsavorite
Synonyms of Tsavorite
Other Language Names for Tsavorite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 47 photos of Tsavorite associated with Graphite | C |
| 30 photos of Tsavorite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 15 photos of Tsavorite associated with Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
| 5 photos of Tsavorite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 4 photos of Tsavorite associated with 'Tanzanite' | (CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 3 photos of Tsavorite associated with Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
| 3 photos of Tsavorite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 2 photos of Tsavorite associated with Grossular | Ca3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 1 photo of Tsavorite associated with Goldmanite | Ca3V3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 1 photo of Tsavorite associated with Zoisite | (CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Tsavorite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7836.html
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References for Tsavorite
Reference List:
Kane, Robert E., Kampf, Anthony R., Krupp, Horst (1990) Well-Formed Tsavorite Gem Crystals from Tanzania. Gems & Gemology, 26 (2) 142-148 doi:10.5741/gems.26.2.142
Feneyrol, Julien, Giuliani, Gaston, Ohnenstetter, Daniel, Le Goff, Elisabeth, Malisa, Elias P.J., Saul, Mark, Saul, Eric, Saul, John, Pardieu, Vincent (2010) Lithostratigraphic and structural controls of ‘tsavorite’ deposits at Lemshuku, Merelani area, Tanzania. Comptes Rendus Geoscience, 342 (10). 778-785 doi:10.1016/j.crte.2010.06.003
Giuliani, Gaston, Fallick, Anthony E., Feneyrol, Julien, Ohnenstetter, Daniel, Pardieu, Vincent, Saul, Mark (2011) 18O/16O and V/Cr ratios in gem tsavorites from the Neoproterozoic Mozambique metamorphic belt: a clue towards their origins? Mineralium Deposita, 46 (7). 671-676 doi:10.1007/s00126-011-0355-6
Feneyrol, J., Ohnenstetter, D., Giuliani, G., Fallick, A. E., Rollion-Bard, C., Robert, J.-L., Malisa, E. P. (2012) Evidence of evaporites in the genesis of the vanadian grossular 'tsavorite' deposit in Namalulu, Tanzania. The Canadian Mineralogist, 50 (3) 745-769 doi:10.3749/canmin.50.3.745
Feneyrol, J.; Giuliani, G.; Ohnenstetter, D.; Fallick, A.E.; Martelat, J.E.; Monié, P.; Dubessy, J.; Rollion-Bard, C.; Le Goff, E.; Malisa, E.; et al. (2013) New aspects and perspectives on tsavorite deposits. Ore Geology Reviews, 53. doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2013.01.016
Feneyrol, Julien, Giuliani, Gaston, Ohnenstetter, Daniel, Rondeau, Benjamin, Fritsch, Emmanuel, Fallick, Anthony E., Ichang'i, Daniel, Omito, Edward, Rakotondrazafy, Michel, Ranatsenho, Madison, Lallier, Florent (2014) New typology and origin of tsavorite based on trace-element chemistry. European Journal of Mineralogy, 26 (2) 293-308 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2014/0026-2367
Feneyrol, Julien, Giuliani, Gaston, Demaiffe, Daniel, Ohnenstetter, Daniel, Fallick, Anthony E., Dubessy, Jean, Martelat, Jean-Emmanuel, Rakotondrazafy, Amos Fety Michel, Omito, Edward, Ichang'i, Daniel, Nyamai, Christopher, Wamunyu, Abigail Wambui (2017) Age and Origin of the Tsavorite and Tanzanite Mineralizing Fluids In the Neoproterozoic Mozambique Metamorphic Belt. The Canadian Mineralogist, 55 (4) 763-786 doi:10.3749/canmin.1600085
Martelat, Jean-Emmanuel, Paquette, Jean-Louis, Bosse, Valerie, Giuliani, Gaston, Monié, Patrick, Omito, Edward, Simonet, Cédric, Ohnenstetter, Daniel, Ichang'i, Daniel, Nyamai, Christopher, Wamunyu, Abigail (2017) Chronological Constraints On Tsavorite Mineralizations and Related Metamorphic Episodes In Southeast Kenya. The Canadian Mineralogist, 55 (5) 845-865 doi:10.3749/canmin.1700019
Localities for Tsavorite
Showing 34 localities.
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The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Merelani Hills, Lelatema Mountains, Simanjiro District, Manyara Region, Tanzania