Difficult roads: On the hunt for rare minerals in Madagascar

Madagascar, a captivating island nestled in the Indian Ocean, is renowned not only for its unique biodiversity but also for its rich geological treasures. On a global scale, it is perhaps most famous for its spice and vanilla trade, but the vast mineral deposits that grace its landscapes are highlight for us collectors. 

We started our trip with an Air France direct flight from Paris to Antananarivo, the capital, which is located at 1280 metres above sea level in the central highlands. Madagascar's diverse geological formations create a perfect environment for the formation of crystals. The island's rocky terrains, ancient volcanic activity, and mineral-rich soils contribute to the abundance of collector's specimens found here. From lustrous demantoid garnets, saturated tourmalines, and brilliant sapphires, to rare and elusive species such as grandidierite and pezzottaite, Madagascar is undoubtedly one of the best places for mineral sourcing. 

At the crack of dawn, we left the capital in our Land Cruiser, heading towards Antsirabe and then took a turn into the direction of Morondava. Little did we know, this would lead to spending 3 days driving through the bush heavy off road. After reaching a collapsed bridge and balancing our Land Cruiser over two logs, we reached a point of no return and decided to continue on, as going back was no longer an option. 

Mining in these remote villages was done mostly by farmers after harvest, as a source of supplemental income. We were fortunate that along the way, people were very hospitable and frequently invited us to stay and eat with them. We picked up two locals looking to hitch a ride along our route, which helped navigate the steep mountain passes and at times, impassable roads. Two cracked bumpers later, we made it to a bigger town where we could buy 3 canisters of diesel to eventually make it to Morondava.

From Morondava we left to Ilakaka, a town in the southern part of Madagascar, which has earned its place on the global gemstone map as a significant source of Sapphires. The region's alluring landscapes are punctuated with vibrant hues of blue, green, and yellow, as miners unearth these fabulous gems. Much of the material we were presented with was lower grade, and high temperature heating methods had been used to improve the color. The sapphires in the image below, begun as a dull and greyish blue, but transformed into a more saturated and desirable shade of blue after heating. Exploring the bustling markets of Ilakaka provided a unique insight into the simple treatment process that many of the sapphires undergo.

When venturing off the main paved roads in Madagascar, always be sure to have a full tank of diesel, a full-size spare tire, and reserve canister, as there may not be any service station for multiple days of driving. After many trips to Africa, we swear by Toyota for reliability, which has to this day never let us down (knock on wood).

When we returned to Antananarivo to catch our flight back home, we joined our new friend, Faso, for dinner who connected us with his brother, whom we have developed a long-lasting friendship and partnership with. Sourcing specimens directly from the miners themselves, and from local artisans in the capital, is difficult to do when you are no longer physically in the country, so having a reliable contact on the ground to arrange shipments is essential.