RocksdayEmerald vs Tsavorite
The quickest way to tell Emerald from Tsavorite: Tsavorite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.6–3.7 vs 2.67–2.78).
Green beryl colored by chromium or vanadium — one of the four classic precious gems.
Photo: Géry PARENT, CC0
Vivid green grossular garnet, colored by vanadium or chromium, from the border country of Kenya and Tanzania.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick tests
- Heft: Tsavorite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.6–3.7 vs 2.67–2.78).
Key differences
- Emerald is hexagonal, slightly harder and usually more included.
Side by side
| Property | Emerald | Tsavorite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 7.5–8 | 7–7.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | Green | Green |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal | Cubic |
| Specific gravity | 2.67–2.78 | 3.6–3.7 |
| Formula | Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ (with Cr/V) | Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ |
| Found in | Muzo and Chivor, Colombia; Kafubu, Zambia | Tsavo area, Kenya; Lemshuko, Tanzania |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify emerald
- Deep green six-sided prisms with flat ends.
- Almost always has internal fractures and inclusions.
- Hardness 7.5–8.
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Full Emerald guide →How to identify tsavorite
- Intense green, often cleaner-looking than emerald.
- Hardness about 7–7.5, with no cleavage.
- Rounded garnet crystals or waterworn pebbles, not hexagonal prisms.
Crystal system: Cubic
Full Tsavorite guide →More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between emerald and tsavorite?
Emerald is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 7.5–8 and a vitreous luster, usually green. Tsavorite is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 7–7.5 and a vitreous luster, usually green.
How can you tell emerald from tsavorite?
Tsavorite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.6–3.7 vs 2.67–2.78). Emerald is hexagonal, slightly harder and usually more included.
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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