GRADING REPORT GRA140
- Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Grandidierite
- Carat: 1.40
- Shape: Flat Drop
- Measures: 9.71x7.12x3.22 (millimeter)
- Color Grade: Very Good
- Tone: Medium 50
- Color Zoning: None
- Clarity: Lightly to Moderately Included
- Cutting Grade: Good
> Brilliancy: 33%
> Depth: 45%
- Origin: Madagascar
- Treatment: None
Certificate No: AIG 1830001417BE (see 'more images')
Overall Grade: Good
Comment: Often noted as (one of) the rarest gems in the world (a very loose title) Grandidierite has been in fashion lately, killing the rarity-record with a bang. New finds in Madagascar and Sri Lanka have broadened the supply and stoked demand. Nevertheless, they are rare, perhaps somewhere next to alexandrite or padparadscha, with this one being the first coming to our stock. Initial impressions of this very blue (less blue-green) specimen are: it is highly photogenic, hides its inclusions well, the color is unique, strong, reminding faintly of fine indicolite or paraiba. Being durable for jewelry, we have all reason to expand our collection into finer material before the supply ends, as it always does. Though we have obviously started with a medium quality gem, it has its smarts: a giant face-up with almost 10x7mm from only 1.40 carat, an intense hue in middle tone, the center inclusions either eye visible and hiding the window or disappearing in a silky crystal. Given the fact that most Grandidierite come out as cabochons, meaning heavily included or opaque rough, polished round, a facet-quality piece is always a great find. It will make an interesting pendant in a simple four prong setting, preferably in white gold or platinum, IMHO. I imagine that a high quality, clean cushion cut in this color will make many paraibas quake in fright. We will search for ourselves, but if you want in on an early hunt, read here. I hope we can catch a few good gems before the mine-window closes. As so often, the handshots are underlaid by skin color, while the main images display the gem's color at its very best, the average reality sitting somewhere in between. The very best Grandidierite used to be traded for multi-$10k/ct but prices will dip with the new finds, until the sources close down and we'll see rarity return and prices rise. I wasn't planning to join this ride but now that I have seen their color-quality in person, we'll be investing. Tons, or rather grams, of potential here.
