Editors

5 Things to Know About … Grandidierite

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.

20190408_Grandidierite-header.jpg
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. 

A 1.43-carat emerald-cut grandidierite from Omi Gems
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.
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.
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Stock image of people shopping in a mall
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRF

The National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.

Tallulah Willis’ Engagement Ring
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With Magic

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

158.2-carat yellow diamond from Diavik
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond

Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Buccellati Naturalia exhibition
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in Milan

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.

Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on Tariffs

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

Bea Bongiasca Animali Tarallo Collection Royal Blue Tang Fish “Dory”
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For Now

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Natural color diamonds on display at Smithsonian National Museum of History
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Punchmark
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client Workshop

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy