Category Archives: Gemstone Tidbits

Interesting tidbits of information about exotic gems other than gemstones.

Chatham lab created emeralds vs natural

Posted on January 26, 2018 by mrahm

Recently a client contact me about buying an emerald. He wasn’t particular about whether it was a lab created emerald or a natural emerald. He had a budget of $10,000 in the event we found a really nice natural emerald. … Continue reading →

Posted in 5. May Birthstone Tidbits, Gemstone Tidbits | Leave a comment

Madagascar: A gemologist’s journey (Amboarohy corundum quarry)

Posted on January 21, 2015 by mrahm

Amboarohy is a famous locality for sapphire and ruby in well-formed crystals occurring in biotite metamorphic schists. The mine is located at the top of the mountain near the town of Zazafotsy. It’s a several-mile hike up to the top. … Continue reading →

Posted in Gemstone Tidbits | Leave a comment

Madagascar: A gemologist’s journey (Evening in Ranomafana)

Posted on January 14, 2015 by mrahm

Continuing on from Ambatovaky we head to Ranomafana, where we spent a day without gem mining activities to enjoy the park. Ranomafana National Park, located outside Ranomafana the town, is a gorgeous tropical rain forest comprising over 161 square miles. … Continue reading →

Posted in Gemstone Tidbits, Madagascar | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Madagascar: A gemolgist’s journey (Ihasofotsy)

Posted on October 22, 2014 by mrahm

Along the way to the quartz mine, locals in Ihasofotsy set up a mineral show. There were lots of amazing quartz pieces including quartz with fuchsite, quartz with hollandite, rock crystal clusters etc. As we shopped, locals looked on. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Gemstone Tidbits, Madagascar | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Madagascar A Gemologist’s Journey (Ambatonapetraka Tourmaline Locality)

Posted on October 15, 2014 by mrahm

Ambatonapetraka is a recently discovered weathered pegmatite zone with a very high concentration of tourmalines. Because it is such a recent discovery, the locals still have “tourmaline fever.” We are there on a Sunday, so fewer miners are busy working. … Continue reading →

Posted in Gemstone Tidbits, Madagascar | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Madagascar: A Gemologist’s Journey (Sahatany Valley Pegmatite Field)

Posted on October 10, 2014 by mrahm

Our day in the Sahatany Valley was a long one, so I’ll split it up into two consecutive posts. Sahatany Valley is of the most famous and productive pegmatite areas in Madagascar. This gorgeous valley is known for producing polychrome … Continue reading →

Posted in Gemstone Tidbits, Madagascar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Madagascar: A Gemologist’s Journey (Tsaramanga Pegmatite Mine)

Posted on October 8, 2014 by mrahm

The journey from Mahaiza to the Tsaramanga Pegmatite was beautiful. Terraced landscapes of rice paddy fields are very common in this area. What looks like a cascading waterfall on the hillside is actually a vein of marble. All along the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gemstone Tidbits, Madagascar | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment