The discovery of one of the most brilliant green gemstones in the world involved a charging buffalo, an adventurous geologist, a burning fascination with the stone and a relentless search that took him to a remote corner of Tanzania.
Campbell Bridges was walking in rural pre-independence Zimbabwe, then known as Rhodesia, when an angry buffalo attacked, forcing him to jump into a gully to save his life. The distressed geologist noticed a brilliant green glint in a rock outcrop in the gully while scampering for safety.
He never thought of grabbing a sample during the life-and-death drama. He simply left the area as quickly as he could after the buffalo wander
ed away on failing to reach him. The brilliant Tsavorite, however, had seared a lasting image in his imagination. Bridges was soon transferred to another area and never was able to go back to search for the glittering gemstone.
That was in 1961. At that time, the gemstone did not exist in record books and was known by local tribes by various names.
Seven years later, he became the first man to record the discovery of gemstone-quality Tsavorite, this time in the charming East African nation of Tanzania -- one of only two countries where fine Tsavorite is being mined.
But what exactly is Tsavorite?
It is possibly the youngest green gemstone in the world and is as hard as one of the oldest, emerald. The precious stones were formed deep in the earth's crust hundreds of millions of years ago. Its rareness of occurrence is possibly one of the reason for its relatively recent discovery.
Campbell Bridges was walking in rural pre-independence Zimbabwe, then known as Rhodesia, when an angry buffalo attacked, forcing him to jump into a gully to save his life. The distressed geologist noticed a brilliant green glint in a rock outcrop in the gully while scampering for safety.
He never thought of grabbing a sample during the life-and-death drama. He simply left the area as quickly as he could after the buffalo wander
ed away on failing to reach him. The brilliant Tsavorite, however, had seared a lasting image in his imagination. Bridges was soon transferred to another area and never was able to go back to search for the glittering gemstone.That was in 1961. At that time, the gemstone did not exist in record books and was known by local tribes by various names.
Seven years later, he became the first man to record the discovery of gemstone-quality Tsavorite, this time in the charming East African nation of Tanzania -- one of only two countries where fine Tsavorite is being mined.
But what exactly is Tsavorite?
It is possibly the youngest green gemstone in the world and is as hard as one of the oldest, emerald. The precious stones were formed deep in the earth's crust hundreds of millions of years ago. Its rareness of occurrence is possibly one of the reason for its relatively recent discovery.
Tsavorite was formed when tremendous pressure and heat were applied for million of years _ some 7 tons (6.35 metric tons) per 1 sq. centimeter (0.16 sq. inches), at more than 600 degrees Celsius (1,112 Fahrenheit).
The results was exceptionally lively and brilliant stones, even before polishing, and whose color varies from light to dark green.
Tsavorites are much rarer than its look-alike, emeralds, which has been known for around five thousand years, Bridges said in a remote, southeastern corner of Kenya where he has set up mining operations in the midst of some of the wildest animals in Africa.
Bridges says Tsavorites are worth the risk of having elephants, buffaloes and other animals for neighbors in the African bush.
The moments he begins to discuss Tsavorite, it becomes clear that he still has an intense passion for the gemstone.
A perfectly cut tsavorite resembles green diamond, he says.
Tsavorites, however, are also much durable than emeralds because they are much tougher and less brittle. They are also twice as brilliant _ qualities that attract jewelry
designers, Bridges says.
Tsavorite has other unique properties, including the fact that it is one of the few natural gemstones in the world, he says.
It is one of the few gemstones that does not need to be treated with heat, oil, irradiation, dyes or coating to enhance color, remove impurities and hide flaws. The same cannot be said for rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds, topaz and other expensive stones.
Bridge's gemstone adventure has suffered some setbacks, the most serious of which occurred in 1970, when the then-socialist Tanzanian government nationalized his Tsavorite mines without compensation.
Tanzania has changed, shedding socialist policies in exchange for a market economy. The government also invited Bridges back to his old mines there. He refused and appears uncomfortable discussion the matter in detail.
Following the setback in Tanzania, Bridges figured that the gemstone belt on which he was mining might cross into neighboring Kenya.
He moved to the country, reviewed colonial geological records to search for suitable rock formations and found Tsavorite three months later.
Bridges and Henry Platt, president of Tiffany & Co., named the gemstone in 1974. They named it after two wildlife sanctuaries, Tsavo East and Tsavo West national parks, that border the area where the mines are located.
Tsavorite and is among the most expensive of all garnets, a family of gemstone in which it belongs. Its prices are similar to those fetched by fine demantoid, the other green garnet that has traditionally been mined in the former U.S.S.R. and Italy. Like all gem materials, non-gem quality pieces may be available for a few dollars per carat.
Tsavorite's price currently stands at 1/6th and 1/10th of the price of an equivalent quality emerald, Bridges said.
That is far less than their potential value. The low price stems from the fact that retailers are reluctant to promote the gemstone and stock it in their brightly lit stores because they get a quicker return on their investments when they stock better-known gemstones like diamonds.
The results was exceptionally lively and brilliant stones, even before polishing, and whose color varies from light to dark green.
Tsavorites are much rarer than its look-alike, emeralds, which has been known for around five thousand years, Bridges said in a remote, southeastern corner of Kenya where he has set up mining operations in the midst of some of the wildest animals in Africa.
Bridges says Tsavorites are worth the risk of having elephants, buffaloes and other animals for neighbors in the African bush.
The moments he begins to discuss Tsavorite, it becomes clear that he still has an intense passion for the gemstone.
A perfectly cut tsavorite resembles green diamond, he says.
Tsavorites, however, are also much durable than emeralds because they are much tougher and less brittle. They are also twice as brilliant _ qualities that attract jewelry
designers, Bridges says.Tsavorite has other unique properties, including the fact that it is one of the few natural gemstones in the world, he says.
It is one of the few gemstones that does not need to be treated with heat, oil, irradiation, dyes or coating to enhance color, remove impurities and hide flaws. The same cannot be said for rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds, topaz and other expensive stones.
Bridge's gemstone adventure has suffered some setbacks, the most serious of which occurred in 1970, when the then-socialist Tanzanian government nationalized his Tsavorite mines without compensation.
Tanzania has changed, shedding socialist policies in exchange for a market economy. The government also invited Bridges back to his old mines there. He refused and appears uncomfortable discussion the matter in detail.
Following the setback in Tanzania, Bridges figured that the gemstone belt on which he was mining might cross into neighboring Kenya.
He moved to the country, reviewed colonial geological records to search for suitable rock formations and found Tsavorite three months later.
Bridges and Henry Platt, president of Tiffany & Co., named the gemstone in 1974. They named it after two wildlife sanctuaries, Tsavo East and Tsavo West national parks, that border the area where the mines are located.
Tsavorite and is among the most expensive of all garnets, a family of gemstone in which it belongs. Its prices are similar to those fetched by fine demantoid, the other green garnet that has traditionally been mined in the former U.S.S.R. and Italy. Like all gem materials, non-gem quality pieces may be available for a few dollars per carat.
Tsavorite's price currently stands at 1/6th and 1/10th of the price of an equivalent quality emerald, Bridges said.
That is far less than their potential value. The low price stems from the fact that retailers are reluctant to promote the gemstone and stock it in their brightly lit stores because they get a quicker return on their investments when they stock better-known gemstones like diamonds.
Still, Tsavorite "is arguably the finest commercial green gemstone in the world today, based upon its physical characteristics, its rarity and uniqueness," Bridges said at his mine.
