Tsavorite Cut: From Practical to Extravagant

For those of us who adore tsavorite, there’s always a burning question: which cut is best for this rare version of the garnet? Or maybe, what cut of tsavorite do we want for that new necklace or dazzling ring we’ve wanted for years? We hope that this guide to tsavorite cut will help you select the perfect piece of tsavorite jewelry for you or someone you love.

Technical Considerations

Whether a piece of tsavorite crystal is intended to be cut for a pendant necklace or turned into a piece of gemstone art, there are many similarities in determining the ideal cut. First, gem cutters select the piece of tsavorite that they want to work with. Most tsavorite has inclusions, so it’s often selecting the highest quality clarity from the particular crystal. If the clarity is too poor, the rough will probably be turned into tumbled specimens, beads, or cabochons.

Cabochon Cutting Process

Cabochons are the round-topped stones that don’t have many facets. Instead, they’re smoothed out and polished. Some gemstones are usually made into cabochons, such as opals and onyx because they don’t let much light into the stone. However, you won’t see many tsavorite cabochons.

From rough stone to Tsavorite jewelry – The cutting process

You might be curious about the cutting process for gemstones. A gem cutter (lapidary) selects the rough and inspects it for flaws. If possible, the lapidary cuts out flaws using a gem saw, and then decides what shape would best suit the tsavorite. Generally, the aim is to maximize your rough while still getting optimal cut quality. Some gemstones, such as tsavorites, rubies, and emeralds, have more inclusions than others, like amethyst.

Garnets, like tsavorite, have a lack of pleochroism (absorbing different wavelengths of light differently depending on the direction of incidence of the rays or their plane of polarization). This means that orientation is not a problem for cutting and the equidimensional shape of the rough generally provides good yields from rough to cut.

Natural vs. Lab created Tsavorite

Tsavorite does not require treatment or enhancements, which adds to this stone’s uniqueness. Very few gemstones do not receive treatment of any kind. Additionally, you can’t find a synthetic version of Tsavorite because it has complex chemical and physical properties that make it difficult to replicate in a lab.

Tsavorite Cut Described

Tsavorite can be cut into any shape or cut that a diamond or other gemstones can. A unique aspect of this stone is that larger stones are incredibly rare. We’ll look at some of the most popular tsavorite cuts you’ll see on the market.

Step Cuts

Do you like straight lines that are parallel to each other, when facing the facets across each other? That’s the hallmark of a step cut. Step cuts are the ones where a stone is cut in “layers,” employing symmetry and squared-off angles. Here are some examples, and why you might choose them:

Asscher

An Asscher cut is a step cut in the shape of a square, but the corners are cut off to make it easier to set. This cut is also referred to as the “hall of mirrors” because light reflects off of each parallel facet–back and forth. Light enters the stone from the bottom.

Emerald

The emerald cut is a popular style of step cut. Essentially, the emerald cut tsavorite has two parallel sides that are noticeably longer than the other. The corners are mitered to avoid a sharp point.

Brilliant Cuts

Some prefer a rounder, softer shaped stone rather than sharper edges. In this case, brilliant cuts are for you. Here are some examples:

Round

A round cut is exactly what the name implies–it’s a 57-facet round cut with facets at numerous angles. The facets create exceptional sparkle. As a result, it is one of the most popular cuts in most gemstones. At With Clarity, we carry a wide variety of round cut tsavorite rings.

Cushion

A cushion cut is basically the brilliant version of an Asscher cut. However, instead of mitered corners, the corners are rounded while the sides are straight. If you want something with sparkle that still retains that modern square shape, a cushion cut tsavorite ring is a great choice.

Oval

Oval cuts are similar to a round cut but it has more of an elongated oval shape. This cut gives a sleek, modern look because the oval cut was only recently made possible with modern gem cutting technology. These are very popular right now.

Trillion

You’ll likely see trillion-cut tsavorite stones as you shop. This type of cut is a faceted, triangular gemstone with three equal sides that has many variations. For example, it could have curved sides or not. The shape of the top surface, or table, also varies. Some tables are flat but not always.

Princess

A princess cut is a mixture between step and brilliant cuts. They have facet patterns that are more like brilliants, but they have sharp corners like step cuts.

Tsavorite is a uniquely-hued, rare gemstone that isn’t as well known as other gemstones. It’s quickly becoming more popular because of its green color and durability of a garnet. If you have a chance to scoop up a quality cut of tsavorite, jump on the opportunity.