Madagascar: Three Decades That Reshaped the Gem Trade

Remarkably recent,
next to Sri Lanka. Myanmar.

Yet in three decades,
one of the world's most important
gem-producing nations.

A Late but Explosive Start

1990s.
1998, Ilakaka.
Sapphire, discovered.

One of the fastest gem rushes
in modern history.

A rural area,
transformed in months.

Geological Inheritance From Gondwana

A fragment
of the Mozambique Belt.

The same belt
that runs through East Africa. Sri Lanka.

Corundum. Garnet. Tourmaline —
despite an ocean between them.

A Genuinely Diverse Producer

Ilakaka — sapphire.
Andilamena, Vatomandry — fine ruby.

Tourmaline, in every color.
Demantoid.
Some of the world's finest aquamarine.

Padparadscha From Madagascar

Once, only Sri Lanka's name.

Now, Madagascar too
speaks this rare color fluently.

An Evolving Industry

Mostly artisanal.
Small-scale. Independent.

Traceability, still being built.
As the world asks for more transparency,
the industry answers, slowly.