On Thursday, April 20, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, will unveil the “Lion of Merelani,” a superb 116.76-carat electric green tsavorite garnet.
![](https://thejewelerblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/lion1a.jpg?w=575)
Unearthed in 2017 by Bridges Tsavorite mining company near Merelani, a gem-rich region straddling the border of Kenya and Tanzania, the gem weighed more than 283 carats in its rough form.
The following year, the mining company recruited world-renowned gem cutter Victor Tuzlukov to shape the rough stone into the 177-facet Lion of Merelani, the world’s largest cushion-cut tsavorite.
“This tsavorite is truly one of the most important colored gemstones to have been mined this decade,” said mineralogist Jeffrey Post, the Smithsonian’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.”
Post and the rest of the Smithsonian’s gem-collection team examined the stone up close at the 2020 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and were reportedly astonished by its unprecedented size and quality.
According to Post, faceted tsavorites weighing more than 10 carats are rare. The Lion of Merelani is more than 100 carats heavier than the current largest tsavorite in the National Gem Collection.
According to the Smithsonian, the Lion of Merelani is the largest precision-cut tsavorite in the world. It’s also the largest tsavorite gem ever cut in the United States.
The impressive tsavorite was gifted to the National Gem Collection from Somewhere in the Rainbow, a privately owned gem and jewelry collection. Somewhere in the Rainbow works with gemologists, gallery owners, museums and jewelry designers to preserve the rarity and beauty of the finest colored gems in the world.
It is also a gift from Bruce Bridges, the CEO of the Bridges Tsavorite mining company. The Lion of Merelani honors Bruce’s father, the late Campbell Bridges, the famed geologist credited with discovering tsavorite in Tanzania in 1967.
“We are confident that 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.”
As of Thursday, the Lion of Merelani will settle into its permanent residence at the museum’s Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals.
Credit: Photo by Jeff Scovil, courtesy of Bridges Tsavorite.
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Great event. Thank you Huntsville ... See MoreSee Less
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💎 Step back in time with Elliott's Jewelers at our August Estate Jewelry Event! From August 22nd to 24th, explore exquisite, historical pieces from our collection. Preview our treasures here: www.elliottsjewelers.com/from-the-vault/#categories& and reserve your private viewing appointment between 9:30 am and 5:00 pm. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of history! 👑 🕰️
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That is a very beautiful ring! What would something like this cost?
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🌟 Uncover the history and beauty of estate jewelry at Elliott's Jewelers this August! Join us for our exclusive Estate Jewelry Event from August 22nd-24th. Dive into our vault here: www.elliottsjewelers.com/from-the-vault/#categories& and select pieces to view at your private appointment. Book now to secure a spot from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm each day and make history part of your style! 🕰️✨
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Book an Appointment At Elliott’s Jewelers, you can be sure that you are getting the best possible appraisal for your jewelry. Our jewelry experts are trained and certified in jewelry appraisal, and ...1 CommentComment on Facebook
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💎 Discover timeless treasures at our August Estate Jewelry Event! Join us from August 22nd-24th at Elliott's Jewelers. Each piece has a unique story waiting to be part of yours.
Explore our exclusive collection here and book your private appointment from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm daily. Spaces are limited to ensure personalized attention. ✨ Find your next jewel with us! See more here: www.elliottsjewelers.com/from-the-vault/#categories&
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Very pretty.
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Beautiful 😍
Well done!
Thank you so much for your support & for such a beautiful piece!
Elliott's Jewelers wishes you and your family a Happy 4th of July! We will be closed on Thursday, July 4th. Elliott's Jewelers was thrilled to be part of Mitch and Lauren Fussell's love story. Do you have an Elliott's Jewelers story too? Let's celebrate by sharing it with us so we can continue making history together! Your stories inspire us every day. 🎆
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Wish I could click the “Love” and “Wow” Buttons at the same time.