The only problem is that tsavorite became so popular that the prices went as high or higher than emerald. Ordinary green tourmaline rarely had the wonderful saturation of the rare chrome version. High quality tsavorite not only had an excellent saturated green color, it had superior brilliance, clarity and hardness. The only green gems left were peridot and ordinary green tourmaline. Chrome Diopside Gems Looking for a fine green gemstone with rich color and excellent clarity.

The traditional choice is emerald, though emerald is more famous for its color than its clarity.

But chrome tourmaline turned out to be just as scarce and expensive as tsavorite garnet. And like tsavorite, fine chrome tourmaline is a visually pure forest green with a slightly yellowish to bluish secondary hue. Tsavorite tommie came on to the market in the 1970's and became the second choice in fine green gems. The next choice was a rare variety of green tourmaline known as chrome tourmaline. Like tsavorite garnet, chrome tourmaline is found in East Africa, and colored by trace amounts of chromium and vanadium.

Peridot tended to the yellowish or georgette green, and never had the deeper tones of tsavorite or chrome tourmaline.