Robert and List,
There should be no confusion between Tsavorite Garnet and Natural Glass the color of Tsavorite! I have sold both Tsavorite and Tektites for many years and have not had to explain the difference to anyone. I have had to convince some people that the litttle emerald looking stones are garnet rather than emerald and I haven't had any of the Tsavorite Colored natural glass to sell, only the other types of tektites that we are all familiar with. My point was that this ebay seller only used the word Tsavorite to describe the color of what he is selling and went on to say that they weren't Tsavorite Garnets. Perhaps he should just say GREEN and not use a word that could confuse a novice.
As you noted, magnification will reveal bubbles in the glass but not the garnet. Also, if you perform a simple hardness test on the rough material you could distinguish the two. You probably wouldn't want to use that test with a faceted stone as a scratch would mar the surface.
So, let's know (on the list at least) that Tsavorite refers to a certain green grossular garnet but that the same color might appear in a tektite or other natural glass. Some people might describe some pieces of Libyan Desert Glass as Amber (the color) but that doesn't make it Amber (the resin gemstone).
Robert, your points are all valid but I don't see any confusion between green garnet and green glass. Maybe a person who knows absolutely nothing about minerals could have some trouble, but the ill-informed should make some effort to learn a little about stones before they start buying them, and yes, we do bear some responsibility in helping them to learn.
Thanks for reading.
My best,
Thomas
Robert Szep <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
----- Original Message -----From: Robert SzepSent: Saturday, September 27, 2003 3:16 PMSubject: Fw: [meteorite-list] Green Glassy StoneHello Thomas & list.There are Tsavorite GARNETS and what are called Tsavorites which are being referred to as tektites.Both are found in the same region but are two different things.The Garnet formed in matrix and has a crystaline structure. The green glassy stones do not display any crystal-structure and do not appear to have formed within any type of matrix.One ebay seller specifically mentions that he is selling Tsavorite Tektite which is not to be mistaken for Tsavorite Garnet.The common naming and coloration shared by both materials creates confusion between the two.One of these two types of similar things contain tiny air-bubbles...Guess which one.......it's not the Garnet...R. Szep----- Original Message -----From: Thomas WebbSent: Saturday, September 27, 2003 1:57 PMSubject: [meteorite-list] Green Glassy StoneHello list,The guy with the ebay ad does not call his stone Tsavorite. He only uses this term to describe the COLOR of the stone he is selling. He even goes on to say that Tsavorite is a green garnet, which is correct. He does however call the stone a tektite. Perhaps someone can clarify the truth or non-truth of this proclamation.My best,Thomas H. Webb
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