Grandidierite (rare) (rough and cut set)

Item Description

This rare silicate was named for French explorer Alfred Grandidier (1836-1912). It forms characteristic translucent bluish green or greenish blue elongated crystals. I'm told it displays a strong pleochroism which ranges from dark blue-green to colorless to dark green, but you only really see it in high tranparency crystals. Crystals up to 8 cm in length and limited amounts of facet-grade rough are found in southern Madagascar. This rough and cut set is from the most famous locality for the species, which happens to be the type locality in Madagascar. The gem in this set is a really attractive "Coffin" cut gem with medium translucency, and rich blue-green color. There are some moderate inclusions, but it's still really an attractive stone with a highly desirable color. The rough component is a typical piece of Grandidierite featuring blue-green crystals on matrix. Priced at $1200 in the inventory.