About this Product
Extremely rare natural soft blue Grandidierite (1ct, TypeIII,I3,Madagascar) hand set in 925 sterling silver sweeping pendant. Gem-quality grandidierite is extremely rare, and it often appears on the list of the 10 rarest varieties in the world, along with gems like jeremejevite, painite, benitoite and taafeite.
Many rare gem collectors would love to add grandidierite to their collections, but it has been almost impossible to find. The recent discovery of some gem quality material in Madagascar has now made a few high quality stones available.
Grandidierite was first discovered in 1902 in Madagascar by Alfred Lacroix, a French mineralogist. Lacroix named the mineral in honor of French explorer and naturalist Alfred Grandidier (1836–1912), the first authority on the natural history of Madagascar.
Since its initial discovery, samples of grandidierite have been found in only a few locations around the world, including Malawi, Namibia and Sri Lanka. But the few gem quality specimens have come mainly from Madagascar.
Gemologically, grandidierite is a magnesium aluminum borosilicate. It has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, similar to garnet; a density of 2.85 to 3.00, in the approximate range of tourmaline; and a refractive index of 1.590-1.623.
It forms in the orthorhombic crystal system. Grandidierite is typically bluish green in color and derives its distinctive color from traces of iron. Gemmy material is translucent to transparent. Fully transparent specimens are ultra rare.
This item can be made with other natural gemstones. Convo for availability and pricing.
This item can be precious metals wrapped, charges apply. Please ask questions.
COMES WITH JEWELERS REPORT
Ilex Unica Designs
Pipersville, PA
Welcome to my store of quality one of a kind, and limited edition small batch items.
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Meet the Maker
I have been a small organic farmer here in Pennsylvania for over 40 yrs, raising sheep, poultry, honey bees, and organic fruits and veggies. I have worked & studied gemstones & jewelry design, as well as being a master chef owning my own restaurant. I was raised learning the "old ways" of making daily living items from my Grandmother using what we grew.
How it’s Made
I hand make all my jewelry with precious metals and natural gemstones
Shop Policies
Returns: I must be contacted with 24hrs of receipts of delivery, a return agreement issued, items must be return in original unused condition. Buyer pays return shipping.
