A Touch of Kenyan Sparkle

My job is to spark joy in people's lives, one piece of jewellery at a time. My favourite part about my job is witnessing and being the purveyor of happiness, be it for lovers, friends, or family members, celebrating life and its milestones with sparkle. I am Ngugi Muthoni, a certified Gemologist working for Rosenkrantz, a fine, high-end jewellery brand founded in Kenya in 2018.

As a professional in the gems and jewellery world, one of my most frequently asked questions is, ‘What is your favourite gemstone?’ My proud answer is always Tsavorite. My interest in gemstones peaked while working and living in Taita Taveta, South Western Kenya. This region is home to Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks and a significant source of the rare Tsavorite gemstone.

Among the dramatic, captivating landscapes that characterise the Tsavo Area, a Scottish-Kenyan-born gemologist, Campbell Bridges, unearthed what was to be the first deposit of Tsavorite in Kenya around 1970. His first interaction with this gemstone was in the early 1960s in Zimbabwe and Northern Tanzania; its presence in Kenya was his bingo moment.

Shortly after the discovery of the gem in Kenya, industry players showed interest in the gemstone. Around 1973, Henry B Platt, the then president of Tiffany & Co., decided it was only fit to name this new gem after Tsavo, one of its commercially viable sources. Tsavorite is also mined in neighbouring Tanzania at the foothills of Kilimanjaro.

Gemologically, Tsavorite is a green variety of grossular garnet. This gem’s fiery, deep, lush emerald-green colour comes from trace elements of Vanadium or Chromium. Tsavorite remains the most coveted garnet, commanding record prices, especially for gem-quality stones above three carats.

Compared to other green gemstones in the market, such as Emerald and Peridot, Tsavorite ranks higher on the Mohs Hardness scale, with a rating between 6.5 and 7.5, making it ideal for all types of jewellery. With only a single source in the world, Kenya-Tanzania, Tsavorite is actually a thousand times rarer than diamonds! And subsequently, a very valuable investment.

At Rosenkrantz, we believe that knowing the source of our gemstones allows us to tell their stories and celebrate the people who unearth them. Gemstones are full of energy, and at Rosenkrantz, it is our duty to ensure that they are only the good kind. If you find yourself at Angama, go past the Safari Shops and marvel at select Tsavorite pieces by Rosenkrantz. Beyond the memories of the warm smiles of the Kenyan people, Tsavorite is truly the touch of Kenyan sparkle you will want to take home with you.

If you’re looking to add to your jewellery box, you can contact Rosenkrantz directly for any bespoke jewellery or rare gems on their website or follow them on Instagram.