Grandidierite a Rare Gem Found in Madagascar

Grandidierite is a rare gemstone Discovered by French Naturalist explorer Alferd grandidier in southern Madagascar in 1902, the gemstone was named in honor of him, he studied the natural history and geography of Madagascar, Visited the island several times.

 Alfred Grandidier (1888)

Born 20 December 1836, Died 13 September 1921 (aged 84)
nationality: French
Known for studies of Madagascar[/caption]

The early acquisition of the crystals were not much of Facet grade material but still was a gem Collector's choice to add any Sample of the rare gem in their collection

 Here is a 2.43ct Emerald cut Grandidierite crystal from the old finds[/caption]

However after a century of limited production and unlimited expedition a new deposit outside the town of tranomaro near the Original Old locality of Andrahomana was found and High facet grade material started hitting up the Gem market in Bangkok, it came in notice of dealers when GIA issued them Certificates Describing the Gem crystal samples as Grandidierites, several companies and Dealers including GIA rushed towards the mines in madagascar to witness and acquire as much as facet grade material from the new deposit as they can Because of the Rarity of the gemstone especially in higher quality,

0.11ct round brilliant grandidierite from a new deposit near the town of Tranomaro in southern Madagascar. Photo by Delphine Bruyere

is considered one of the rarest Gemstones in world with a mohs scale hardness of 7.5 Formula:MgAl₃O₂(BO₃)SiO4 chemical formula close to Kornerupine

Colour ranges from: Dark green, Bluish green, colourless

Fine cut Gems can fetch up a price ranging from 10,000-100,000$ per carat

Crystals up to 8 cm in length and limited amounts of facet grade rough are found in southern Madagascar.

 Grandidierite with feldspar and Diopside specimen From southern Madagascar
specimen: Fabre minerals[/caption]