GRANDIDIERITE
One of the rarest gemstones on earth

Gem-quality grandidierite is extremely rare, and it often appears on the list of the 10 rarest varieties in the world,

ORIGINE
Grandidierite is a very rare gem that was first discovered in southern Madagascar in 1902 by Alfred Lacroix, a French mineralogist.
The mineral was named in honor of French explorer and naturalist Alfred Grandidier (1836–1912)
It is commonly found as an accessory mineral on aluminous boron rich rocks with a pearly semitransparent bluish green hue.

OCCURRENCE
Since its initial discovery, samples of Grandidierite have been found in only a few locations around the world, including Malawi, Namibia and Sri Lanka.
The few gem quality specimens have come mainly from Madagascar near Tolianaro (formerly Fort-Dauphin).

CUT
Grandidierite is never transparent enough to facet, but attractive, sometimes even jadelike cabochons are cut from the translucent material. The high hardness makes it suitable for wear, although cutters have to pay close attention to the cleavage

COLOR
Grandidierite is typically bluish green in color and derives its distinctive color from traces of iron.
Its body color ranges from bluish green to greenish blue.
Gemmy material is translucent to transparent. Fully transparent specimens are ultra rare.

VALUE
$20,000 per carat

GEOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
Grandidierite occurs in aluminous boron-rich rocks and in pegmatites.