Ilakaka, In the Making
Vato Masina: Sapphires rush near Bemainty, Madagascar
In September 2016 a major sapphire rush took place near Bemainty village close to Ambatondrazaka in Madagascar. Blue and orange sapphires of exceptional quality and size were discovered in a forest covered area part of the CAZ, an area dedicated to conservation. The discovery soon attracted tens of thousands of miners from all around Madagascar.…
Sapphire mining and trading around Ilakaka, Madagascar by GIA
In this short video you will accompany GIA Field Gemologist Vincent Pardieu and his team as they introduce you to Madagascar’s Ilakaka sapphire mining area. Located in the south of the island of Madagascar, the Ilakaka area is one of the world’s largest sapphire deposits, and currently one of the most active.
Ruby & Sapphire – A Gemologist’s Guide
Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist’s Guide by Richard W. Hughes with Wimon Manorotkul and E. Billie Hughes. http://www.lotusgemology.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/328-ruby-sapphire-a-gemologist-s-guide-order-page
CNN – How sapphires are changing Madagascar’s fortunes
How sapphires are changing Madagascar’s fortunes. The precious stone business in Africa is growing rapidly. CNN heads to Madagascar to learn how this island nation produces a treasure trove of sapphires. Source: CNN http://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/11/21/marketplace-africa-madagascar-sapphires.cnn
Gemstones Book: Terra Connoisseur
http://www.ivynewyork.com/gemstones-book/
Introducing Ruby & Sapphire: A Collector’s Guide
Ruby & Sapphire: A Collector’s Guide by Richard W. Hughes with photographs by Wimon Manorotkul and E. Billie Hughes. http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/ruby-sapphire-collectors-guide/index-ruby-sapphire-collectors-guide.php
Downtown – Gem Hunting in Tanzania
Since the late 1960’s, East Africa has been home to some of planet earth’s greatest gem discoveries. And yet, little has been written about certain of these finds. In the autumn of 2007, the authors set out to fill in the gaps, specifically regarding Tanzania’s Mahenge, Songea and Tunduru regions. http://www.lotusgemology.com/~rubydick/index.php/library/articles/147-downtown-gem-hunting-in-tanzania
Spinel: Resurrection of a Classic
http://www.fieldgemology.org/Spinel_article.php