Grandidierite

1. Grandidierite
2. History of Grandidierite
3. Physical and Chemical Properties of Grandidierite
4. The Value of Grandidierite
5. Magical Properties of Grandidierite
6. Healing Properties of Grandidierite
7. Grandidierite as a Birthstone
8. Grandidierite for Jewelry Making

Grandidierite holds a spot in the top-ten rankings of the rarest minerals. The gorgeous ocean color mineral is so rare that it is almost impossible to find it outside of its homeland, Madagascar. With its unearthly beauty and uniqueness, the Madagascar-born gemstone is a desirable asset for museums and collectors, not to mention jewelers and DIY enthusiasts.

History of Grandidierite

The very first crystal of grandidierite was found in 1902 at Cape Andrakhoman located in the south of Madagascar. The French mineralogist Alfred Lacroix, who discovered a mysterious gem, proposed to name it after Alfred Grandidier, a scientist who first described the people, nature, history, and traditions of the island. The few deposits detected by Lacroix in the first half of the 20th century got depleted by the 1960s. Fortunately, new veins were found in the south of the island near the town of Tanomapo in 2014. Now, most of the grandidierite specimens come from this region. Besides Madagascar, small deposits of grandidierite are located in Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Norway, India, the USA, Canada, and Antarctica.

Grandidierite mining is carried out at a depth of 15 meters using hand tools such as shovels and pickaxes. The rarity of grandidierite, the difficulty of its extraction, and, of course, its mesmerizing beauty couldn’t help but affect its value. Some grandidierite specimens carry a price similar to that of fine precious gemstones.

Grandidierite, round beads gemstone

Physical and Chemical Properties of Grandidierite

In terms of its chemical composition, grandidierite is borosilicate containing aluminum, magnesium, and iron ions. In its pure form, the mineral is thin on the ground. More often than not, it features inclusions of manganese, titanium, potassium, and sodium.

Grandidierite crystals boast a unique play of colors and strong pleochroism. When you look at the gemstone at different angles, its color transitions from blue to turquoise and green. While the dominating colors of grandidierite belong to the range of blue and green, you may also come across red, pink, yellow, and brown minerals.

Various inclusions in the body of the jewel add milky undertones. Because of these admixtures, minerals acquire a kind of haze or cloudiness and become translucent. These grandidierite stones are an excellent choice for jewelry thanks to their beautiful internal textures. Inclusion-free grandidierites are extremely rare. Clear jewelry-grade specimens have the highest value and are deemed as collectibles.

Grandidierite’s hardness (7.5 on the Mohs scale) is comparable to garnets and emeralds. Thanks to this property, the stone lends itself to the cutting of high complexity. High-quality cuts are able to enhance grandidierite’s glassy or, in rare cases, pearlescent luster. Along with faceted gemstones, you can get polished beads and cabochons in a great variety of shapes.

The Value of Grandidierite

The cost of the mineral largely depends on its purity and clarity. Clear grandidierites are valued on a par with emeralds. The price for Madagascar grandidierites of gem-grade quality starts from $ 2 500 per carat and can reach up to $20 000. These stones tend to be on the smaller end though. Normally, their weight doesn’t exceed 0.5 carats after cutting.

You don’t have to break the bank to get your hands on a high-quality grandidierite stone. However, if you want to save your money, you have to sacrifice clarity. Gems providing less clarity and more inclusions may cost as low as $5 per carat.

Magical Properties of Grandidierite

Grandidierite is a relatively young gemstone and its magical properties have yet to be studied in depth. Still, those lucky ones who happened to come into contact with the stone note its mysterious powers.

Grandidierite belongs to the group of the so-called water stones. Hence, it contributes to the clarity of thoughts and sanity of the mind. You can count on it for relaxation and tranquility. The stone soothes the mind and cools the ardor, thus allowing you to make informed and deliberate decisions. In difficult times, the mineral helps find the right path and answers to burning questions. On top of that, grandidierite is able to strengthen intuition and assists its owner to realize his or her full potential. It also aids to develop clairvoyance in hypersensitive people. With its help, you can learn to identify prophetic dreams and interpret them correctly.

Grandidierite, crystal carving beads

Healing Properties of Grandidierite

It is believed that the mineral closely interacts with the element of water. Therefore, it can beneficially affect all vital systems and organs of the human body. At the moment, lithotherapy experts take advantage of the numerous healing properties of the Madagascar gemstone. So, grandidierite is able to:

• moisturize and soothe dry skin;

• slow down inflammatory processes;

• remove bloating;

• accelerate the movement of lymphatic fluid;

• promote treatment of minor burns;

• relieve acute gastrointestinal pains.

Besides that, grandidierite has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Lithotherapists recommend it to people who suffer from stress due to its power to remove strain and steady nerves.

Grandidierite as a Birthstone

Having a strong tie with the element of water, grandidierite favors Cancers, Scorpios, and Pisces. These zodiac signs can benefit from the boost of energy the stone provides. This energy is able to help them accomplish their plans, find peace of mind, as well as get rid of insecurity and fears.

Other zodiac signs, when dealing with grandidierite, should rely solely on their feelings. If you experience discomfort or anxiety after being into contact with the stone, this means that your energies are incompatible.

Grandidierite, beads for jewelry making

Grandidierite for Jewelry Making

Kenkengems is a leading grandidierite supplier in Japan and all over the world. Our gemstones come in stands, half-strands, settings, loose, three- and two-piece sets, and by piece. All our gemstones are a worthwhile addition to your jewelry thanks to the alluring turquoise color and amazing internal patterns. We deliver countless variations of shapes and cuts to help your jewelry pack a powerful punch. Cabochons, nuggets, roundels, pear-shaped stones, ovals, chestnuts, and many more are available in our catalogs.

While providing the highest standards of quality, our prices remain incredibly low. So don’t hesitate to browse through our hand-picked selection of grandidierite for sale and take advantage of the rare Madagascar gemstone for your jewelry masterpieces.