Tsavorite is an intense green grossular garnet originally discovered by Campbell Bridges in 1961. According to Bridges, he was making his way up a steep gully in Zimbabwe when an old rogue buffalo sharged out of the bush. He jumped into the gully to escape and made his way along it avoiding the buffalo. When he was finally neared the top of the hill, he was faced with a scattering of bright green crystals. Larger deposits were discovered several years later in Tanzania and Kenya near Tsavo National Park. When first introduced to Tsavorite, Harry Platt, former President of Tiffany & Company was asked to comment on it as a gemstone, He said, “Tsavorite is everything that a fine gemstone should be, and then some.” It is one of the few gemstones that can work as a possible substitute for emerald. The color is not quite as bright, but it is a beautiful green and is more durable than emerald.
