#lion of merelani

[gemville]

The Lion Of Merelani, The World's Largest Square-Cushion Cut Tsavorite Gemstone. It Features 177 Glimmering Facets

Photo Courtesy: Jeff Scovil, Courtesy Of Bridges Tsavorite

Source: smithsonianmag.com

[ardentguilt]

Tsavorite

Tsavorite is a member of the Grossular species of Garnets which are calcium aluminium garnets.

Trace amounts of Vanadium and/or Chromium are responsible for Tsavorite’s brilliant green color.

Tsavorite is considered to be the rarest of the garnet species and is only found in a few regions around the world such as Tanzania and Kenya however small amounts have also more recently been discovered in Madagascar, Pakistan and Queen Maud Land in Antarctica.

To date it has not been found anywhere else.

One of the most impressive cut Tsavorite stones is the Lion of Merelani which is in possession of the Smithsonian.

Tsavorite was initially discovered by a British gem prospector named Campbell R Bridges in 1967.

The name of the stone was given in honor of one of the regions it was found, Tsavo East National Park in Kenya.

The specimen pictured here originates from the original location the stone was first discovered in Tanzania.