Grandidierite
$24.95
Item number:
1
Grandidierite From Madagascar .42 CT
Grandidierite is an exceedingly rare and highly sought-after silicate mineral and gemstone. Renowned for its vivid bluish-green and teal hues, it is treasured for its mesmerizing pleochroism—which can simultaneously display shades of dark green, sky blue, and colorless views within a single stone.
💎 Gemstone Properties
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- Color: Typically ranges from cyan to turquoise and deep greenish-blue. The color deepens based on the stone's iron content.
- Hardness: 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it durable enough for everyday jewelry like rings and earrings, though careful setting is required.
- Crystal Structure: Orthorhombic; it typically forms tabular or prismatic crystals.
- Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to slightly pearly.
🌍 Origins and Rarity
Discovered in 1902 in southern Madagascar, the stone was named in honor of the French explorer and naturalist Alfred Grandidier. While trace deposits have been found in several other locations globally (including Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Antarctica), gem-quality, transparent grandidierite is almost exclusively sourced from Madagascar. Because large, eye-clean transparent stones are extremely scarce, grandidierite is frequently ranked among the top ten rarest and most expensive gemstones in the world.
💍 Jewelry and Pricing
Due to its rarity, transparent faceted grandidierite above one carat is a major collector's item. Opaque or translucent specimens are more commonly cut into cabochons.