I am looking for Green garnets from russia called Demetoit
in the 1 to 1 1/2 ct range. Or Green garnets from Africa
called Tsovrite in the 1 to 1 1/2 ct range with good to verry
green color round brilliant cut. reply by e-mail to
@Billy_S_Bates
I’m only going from a source I watch on the T.V. , but I
understand it’s unusual for tsavorite to be found in 1ct or
larger pieces. I’m not familar with demetoit. Of course I could
be wrong about the tsavorite, although I haven’t seen any jewelry
with single gems over .25 ct. and even that was a rare find.
hsqueenc
Dematoid garnets are rare and in the size you want can be
expensive. For good color, you can expect a $750-1500/ct. price
range minimum. The African mine is shut down at present because
of recent flooding and great loss of life. The Russian sources
are unpredictable.
Perform an engine search for “tsavorite” or “dematoid”. Sources
are available.
Regards,
Jim
You have expensive taste. Chrome green tourmaline may be greener
and cheaper.
See if “The Collector” (Pala and La Jolla, California) has a web
page. They have some exquisite stuff. Other than that try an
issue of the Lapidary Journal.
Pale green andradite (var. demantoid) occurs with magnetite on
… Uvarovite showing fine bright-green micro
crystals
…brilliant crystals up to 3mm …
…and beautiful crystals up to 6mm were
Perform an engine search for "tsavorite" or "dematoid". Sources are available.
You’ll have better luck if you look for “demantoid”
(diamond-like)
If you really want a green, green stone at a reasonable price and
since even the czar couldn’t afford demantoid garnets (grin) try
chrome green tourmaline. Contact :
The Collector
Fallbrook and La Jolla, California
Youngest son the gemologist, put up a .78 tsavorite for the wife,
it’s very nice but small. Looks good in yellow gold.
Bill in Vista
Dematoid garnets are rare and in the size you want can be expensive. For good color, you can expect a $750-1500/ct. price range minimum.
And one of the main sources of the russian stones is antique
jewelry. Ural mountain demantoids are a famous locality for the
stones, but not, so far as I know, a currently producing one,
unless activities have been restarted since the breakup of the
Soviet Union… Not many are actually being mined any more…
The African mine is shut down at present because of recent flooding and great loss of life.
I had thought the problems were with the Tanzanite mines. Were
there also flooding deaths with the tsavorite locations (which,
of course, ARE in the same area…) I hadn’t heard that
tsavorite garnet supplies were affected. Anyone know?
Peter Rowe
Seattle
I'm only going from a source I watch on the T.V. , but I understand it's unusual for tsavorite to be found in 1ct or larger pieces.
If you’re getting your jewelry education from T.V. shopping
channels, you’re gonna have an awful lot of misconceptions…
(grin) What’s rare is to actually find anything on those
channels that is even remotely rare. Unusual, sometimes. But
most of it is pretty damn cheap. Small tsavorites, especially
the paler ones, aren’t costly. Nice dark intense greens are
costly even in small stones. but don’t let this fool you into
thinking larger stones are not available. They are, easily
enough, if you’ve got the money. Oh, and you’ll need a real
jeweler or stone dealer, not your T.V.
If I’ve misinterpreted the T.V. bit, then I sincerely apologize
for the above…
I'm not familar with demetoit.
Correctly spelling it as demantoid should help a little. And
it’s not surprising that you’ve not seen them. They really are
quite rare these days, as loose stones for sale…
Peter Rowe
Seattle
I have an engagement ring that a jeweler sold to my ex as an
emerald that is actually tsavorite, and it’s nearly 1 carat. I
was upset when I discovered it wasn’t an emerald, but the jeweler
who appraised it for me said it was actually worth more than an
emerald would have been. Though of course, he could have been
wrong as well.
just my .02.
Wanda