Tag Archives: tourmaline

Madagascar: A gemologist’s journey (Isalo National Park Evening)

Posted on January 30, 2015 by mrahm

Our afternoon in Isalo National Park was just as beautiful as the morning. After a delicious lunch and entertainment by four friendly ring-tailed lemurs, we’re off again on one last adventure to a tropical waterfall. The scene was just too … Continue reading →

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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 →

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

Posted on October 13, 2014 by mrahm

My previous post I covered the first half of our day in the Sahatany Valley. I ended at the Estatoby dig where our group split up. I chose to continue on up the mountain. We begin the long hike up … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Tourmaline

Posted on November 9, 2011 by mrahm

My plan for the end of October was to tell you a bit about tourmaline and show you some orange sapphire engagement rings in honor of Halloween. However, my father was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital and I was out … Continue reading →

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