Sourcing

This 116-Carat Tsavorite Is Now in the Smithsonian

SourcingApr 19, 2023

This 116-Carat Tsavorite Is Now in the Smithsonian

Named the “Lion of Merelani,” the gem will be displayed at the D.C. museum along with the story of its cutting.

20230419_Tsavorite Lion of Merelani.jpg
The Lion of Merelani is a record-breaking 116-carat tsavorite that will be unveiled to the public April 20 as the newest addition to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals.
Washington, D.C.—The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History plans to reveal a record-breaking, nearly 117-carat tsavorite to the public on Thursday.

The “Lion of Merelani” weighs 116.76 carats, more than 100 carats heavier than the museum’s current largest tsavorite, which is 15.93 carats.

It will join several other notable gems in the museum's National Gem Collection and be on display for the public in the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals.

“This tsavorite is truly one of the most important colored gemstones to have been mined this decade,” said mineralogist Jeffrey Post, the museum’s curator-in-charge of gems and minerals. “A gem like this is one of Earth’s natural treasures and is an exciting addition to the National Gem Collection and to our public exhibition.”

Tsavorite is a rare green grossular garnet predominantly found in a remote region along the border of Kenya and Tanzania.

British geologist Campbell Bridges first discovered the gemstone in Tanzania in 1967, followed by a source in Kenya three years later.

Bridges, along with longtime Tiffany & Co. executive Henry Platt (who also gave tanzanite its name), named the stone after the Tsavo East National Park in Kenya.

The rough crystal that became the Lion of Merelani was unearthed near Merelani, Tanzania, in 2017, coincidentally the same year that marked the 50th anniversary of tsavorite’s discovery.

It weighed 283 carats.

Campbell’s son Bruce Bridges, CEO of the Bridges Tsavorite mining company, played an integral part in the crafting of the Lion of Merelani, which he said is in honor of his late father.

The following year, world-renowned gem cutter Victor Tuzlukov shaped the gemstone into its current form—the world’s largest square cushion-cut tsavorite gem with 177 facets.

According to Post, faceted tsavorites over 10 carats are rare, making the nearly 117-carat Lion of Merelani an exceptional example of garnet.

20230419_Tsavorite rough.jpg
This rough tsavorite crystal was mined near Merelani, Tanzania, and weighed more than 283 carats before being shaped into the 177-facet, nearly 117 carat Lion of Merelani.


The tsavorite’s cut was historic and documented from start to finish, said the museum.

“The cutting process was comprehensively recorded by Bruce Bridges, and he will be providing the Smithsonian with an edited version of a video that will show the rough to cut journey of the gem,” Post said. “Also, GIA visited Tucson during the cutting of the stone and recorded video and interviewed the cutter.”

In the spring 2019 issue of Gems & Gemology, GIA’s quarterly research journal, an article documenting the stone’s cutting states that Tuzlukov first cut a test stone from a synthetic 3D model of the rough tsavorite. 

After making calculations following the test cut, he began cutting the actual stone right in front of the team from GIA, a process that was accomplished over the course of about a month, the article said.

“The material is amazing,” Tuzlukov told GIA. “It’s not only a pleasure but an honor for me to cut this.”

The added element of detailed documentation as a part of the gem’s story is not something every record-breaking stone comes with, Post said.

“It is rare that we can share with the public the story of how a rough stone is faceted into a great gem, including video of the faceting and interviews with the cutter.”

The Lion of Merelani is historic in other ways as well, with the Smithsonian stating it is the largest precision-cut tsavorite in the world, as well as the largest tsavorite gem ever cut in the United States. 

 Related stories will be right here … 
 
At the 2020 Tuscon Gem and Mineral Show, where Post and the rest of the Smithsonian’s gem collection team examined the Lion of Merelani up close, Post said they were, “astonished by its unprecedented size and quality.” 

The museum describes the gemstone’s color as “glowing green.”

Bruce had previously told GIA the gem could be a once-in-a-lifetime stone. 

Despite seeing most of the finest tsavorites in the world above 20 carats, he said he had never seen one comparable to this size in a square cushion cut, one of the rarest shapes for tsavorite, according to the GIA article.

The Smithsonian said the gem is a gift to the National Gem Collection from Somewhere in the Rainbow, a privately owned gem and jewelry collection focused on service-based colored gemstone education for the jewelry industry. 

It is also a gift from Bruce.

“We are confident this great tsavorite will quickly become a visitor favorite, for its beauty and its well-documented story,” Post said. “It will be the iconic garnet in the National Gem Collection, the one that all other tsavorites will be compared to in the future.”

The Latest

Mikimoto Les Pétales Campaign Imagery and Les Pétales Necklace
CollectionsJul 08, 2025
Mikimoto’s High Jewelry Collection Turns Pearls into Petals

The “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.

National Jeweler columnist and jewelry sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsJul 08, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Jewelers Struggle With Premium Pricing

Luxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.

David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers
IndependentsJul 08, 2025
David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers Dies at 79

Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Diamond Divas Cast
TechnologyJul 08, 2025
‘Diamond Divas’ Brings the Showroom to Social Media Reality Series

It follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.

Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
SMO Golden Gala
Policies & IssuesJul 08, 2025
SMO Gold Launches New Foundation

In its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.

Stock image of container ship in port
Policies & IssuesJul 07, 2025
Higher Tariffs Set to Take Effect Aug. 1, Officials Say

The announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

David Kellie
MajorsJul 07, 2025
Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie To Step Down

Kellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.

Suspects in Glendale burglary
CrimeJul 07, 2025
7 Suspects Charged in California Jewelry Store Burglary

Police officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.

Ella Klein Internship
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2025
Applications Open for Ella Klein Internship

The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Madison Keys in Brilliant Earth campaign
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New Ambassador

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

Muse Nordstrom shop-in-shop
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry Hall

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From Yeprem

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Exterior and entryway of Boucheron’s Los Angeles Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast Flagship

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

Exterior of Marco Bicego Milan Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan Flagship

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Chrono24 Time Is Our Thing campaign image
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New Campaign

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

Counterfeit Pandora jewelry in bags and boxes
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry Network

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

Eve Goldberg, Matthew Denatale, Willie Lopez, Benjamin Goldberg
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship Program

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

Elie Hannoush
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

Claire’s store
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report Says

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Mindi Mond Spike Earrings
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot Rubies

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy