Grandidierite (incredibly rare)

Item Description

In the category of rare gem, Grandidierite is certainly in the upper ranks. You'll see this gem listed with gems like Painite, Phosphophyllite, Taaffeite, Poudretteite, Benitoite and Jeremejevite. It's one of those gems that you'll often see on the "Top 10 Rarest Gems in The World" lists. The material dates back to 1902 when it was discovered by the French mineralogist, Alfred Lacroix, and named after French explorer and naturalist Alfred Grandidier (1836–1912), who wrote the great natural history book: "L'Histoire physique, naturelle et politique de Madagascar" Chemically, the species is a magnesium, iron, aluminum borosilicate and although it has been found in multiple localities around the world, it's still considered exceptionally rare, especially in gem quality material. Like many rare gems, it's the color that really draws one's attention. The best Grandidierite stones have a very captivating greenish-blue hue, similar to the top Euclase specimens from Colombia. Faceted stones of Grandidierite are seldom seen on the market in any size, and they are typically heavily included. I would say that the majority of the Grandidierites in the world weigh less than 1 carat, so in the rare instance that one sees a Grandidierite for sale, it's not unusual to encounter smaller gems. This particular stone is from a new discovery of Grandidierite in Madagascar. This "Round Brilliant" cut gem has a bright greenish-blue hue, with very very slight inclusions. Keep in mind that the majority of faceted Grandidierites are less than 1/4 carat, so this stone is not terribly small for what it is. If you collect rare gems, or have always wanted an example of this remarkable material, this is a perfect opportunity to snag a fine quality stone for a good price.