SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ CampaignThe “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.
EditorsApr 08, 2019
5 Things to Know About … Grandidierite
Learn where and when the gemstone was discovered, its current supply outlook and where you can go to see a few today.
A rough grandidierite crystal rests next to a beautiful 9.3-carat faceted grandidierite from Brice Gobin of Mineral Art. (Photo credit: Jeff Scovil)
When I was in Tucson, the team at Omi Gems’ booth treated me to something special: a viewing of not one but six grandidierite gems.
I had heard of the gemstone before but had never seen one in person. As it turns out, not many people have. They’re rare, and let me tell you, they’re gorgeous.
Grandidierite is bluish-green to greenish-blue, with the blue component increasing with the iron content, according to the GIA.
It’s a 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it suitable for use in jewelry (when available), but according to the International Gem Society, it is difficult to cut because it has good cleavage in two directions.
It also displays trichroic pleochroism, meaning it can show three different colors depending on the angle at which it’s viewed: dark blue-green, pale yellow or colorless, or dark green.
In honor of the stone I was excited to see and learn about in Tucson, here are five things to know about grandidierite.
1. It was first discovered in Madagascar.
French mineralogist Alfred Lacroix found the first reported samples of grandidierite in 1902.
He discovered the gemstone at the cliffs of Andrahomana in southern Madagascar, according to the GIA.
2. It was named for someone.
As is the case with a few other minerals ending in “ite,” grandidierite was named after a person.
Lacroix christened the mineral “grandidierite” in honor of another Alfred: French explorer and naturalist Alfred Grandidier (1836-1912), who was the first explorer to describe Madagascar in detail, according to the Cambridge History of Africa.
He devoted his life to gathering information for his massive “Histoire physique, naturelle et politique de Madagascar,” which was 38 volumes long.
I had heard of the gemstone before but had never seen one in person. As it turns out, not many people have. They’re rare, and let me tell you, they’re gorgeous.
Grandidierite is bluish-green to greenish-blue, with the blue component increasing with the iron content, according to the GIA.
It’s a 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it suitable for use in jewelry (when available), but according to the International Gem Society, it is difficult to cut because it has good cleavage in two directions.
It also displays trichroic pleochroism, meaning it can show three different colors depending on the angle at which it’s viewed: dark blue-green, pale yellow or colorless, or dark green.
In honor of the stone I was excited to see and learn about in Tucson, here are five things to know about grandidierite.
1. It was first discovered in Madagascar.
French mineralogist Alfred Lacroix found the first reported samples of grandidierite in 1902.
He discovered the gemstone at the cliffs of Andrahomana in southern Madagascar, according to the GIA.
2. It was named for someone.
As is the case with a few other minerals ending in “ite,” grandidierite was named after a person.
Lacroix christened the mineral “grandidierite” in honor of another Alfred: French explorer and naturalist Alfred Grandidier (1836-1912), who was the first explorer to describe Madagascar in detail, according to the Cambridge History of Africa.
He devoted his life to gathering information for his massive “Histoire physique, naturelle et politique de Madagascar,” which was 38 volumes long.
A 1.43-carat emerald-cut grandidierite from Omi Gems
3. It has since been found elsewhere.
In addition to Madagascar, GIA said other reported sources of the mineral include New Zealand, Norway, Suriname, Algeria, Italy, Malawi, India, the United States, Canada, Antarctica and the Czech Republic.
Since its discovery more than a century ago, very little gem-quality grandidierite has surfaced and most of what has been found is translucent.
However, a 2014 discovery of more transparent material outside of Tarnomaro, Madagascar, near the site where the first pieces of grandidierite were found, has resulted in several fine quality faceted stones, according to the Gemmological Association of Great Britain’s Gems & Jewellery spring issue.
4. It is extremely rare.
Despite the number of sources, grandidierite is still extremely rare; pockets tend to be small and quickly become depleted.
Much of the material that comes out of the ground is opaque, IGS said. As mentioned before, even when gem-quality material is produced, it’s often translucent (semi-transparent), and is thereby cut into cabochons ranging in size from about 1 carat to 10 carats and up.
According to GIA’s Gems & Gemology, gem-quality grandidierite of “facetable size” was “almost unheard of” in the market before the summer of 2015.
Bangkok-based gemstone dealer MultiColour Gems said on its website that the ratio of gem-quality crystals to rough is about 1 in 10,000.
The company noted that the Tranomaro deposit, where the 2014 discovery occurred, has produced only about 60 grams (300 carats) of eye-clean crystals.
Given its rarity, fine grandidierite gems can demand significant prices.
For example, gem dealer and Mineral Art manager Brice Gobin is quoted in the Gems & Jewellery article as saying that a buyer paid $50,000 in 2003 for the first known transparent faceted grandidierite, which weighed only 0.29 carats, a fact confirmed by GIA.
These three grandidierite gemstones are on display at the Wilensky Gallery in New York right now. They weigh (from left) 3.14 carats, 4.96 carats and 2.86 carats.
Even so, minimal supply goes hand-in-hand with low demand and a lack of knowledge about the stone among many jewelers, according to Gobin.
“Grandidierite is too rare to be able to provide the jewelry market,” he is quoted as saying. “No supply, no demand; it’s as simple as that.”
5. You can see grandidierite gems in New York right now.
For those who haven’t seen grandidierite in person or are looking for the perfect collector gemstone, one Manhattan gallery provides the perfect opportunity.
Gobin sourced a collection of grandidierite gems from the Tranomaro region of Madagascar over an 18-month period, Gems & Jewellery reported. The selection included some 20 gems weighing between 1 and 9-plus carats.
Three of Gobin’s grandidierite gemstones will be on display at the Wilensky Gallery in New York City through at least June, representing the gallery’s foray into faceted gemstones.
They weigh 2.86, 3.14 and 4.96 carats and are priced at $69,000, $78,000 and $129,500, respectively.
I was lucky enough to get to see those, too, during a recent WJA event at the gallery, and I’m telling you: Run, don’t walk, to see these gems before they’re gone.
More on Editors
The Latest
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2026
JFC Announces 2027 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian HorizonIn her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the ScenesThe jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
Events & AwardsOct 26, 2026
Support JFC’s ‘Monster Mash Challenge,’ If You DareVote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
