MADAGASCAR SAPPHIRES

Only sapphires from
Madagascar come in all
colours of the rainbow.

The widest range of coloured sapphires are found in Madagascar. Wennick–Lefèvre’s working presence in Madagacar reflects our everyday excitemenent and adoration of this wonderous place. Most sapphires in Madagascar are found in the region of Ilakaka, the largest sapphire deposit in the world. Some of the rarest colours – like pineapple yellow, lime green, magenta, orange, cognac and violet – are present here.
Many of the colours found in Ilakaka are only found there.

Ilakaka is a truly unique deposit, its the only place on Earth to reveal sapphires in all colours of the rainbow.

The first deposit in Ilakaka was discovered in 1998.

Ilakaka is a village on the road between the capital Antananarivo and Tulear. Its a 21 hour roadtrip to get there.

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, yet the atmosphere is open and friendly.

Madagascar is mainly Protestant and Catholic.

The land around the mine pits used to be farmland. most farmers have now turned to the more profitable mining.

Most people in Ilakaka know each other by sight.

The streets are a common trading place, most family members are involved in the business.

The general atmosphere is gentle and relaxed.

Few places on Earth display magnificence like Madagascar.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE STONES

Gemstone trading is a business to us, but trust and respect are vital and lead to lasting partnerships.

At Wennick–Lefèvre it is natural to have close relationships with all the people we meet and deal with.

Aruwan and Rishans invite miners to their office.

The miners typically arrive at the office in the morning.

The sapphires are being graded for clarity and color, while negotiations takes place.

Mostly the wives handle the trading while their husbands are mining.

Sanjeewa and Svend have travelled the world as a team.

One the most important tools in examining rough is the torch. It reveals inclusions and cracks.

Sapphires are best viewed in daylight.

Omar, a friend and supplier, unfortunately passed away due to a traffic accident in 2018. Thank you friend, RIP.

Trading is always relaxed and often takes place on the streets.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE STONES

Mining

Madagascar has a well-developed tradition of gem mining, and the gems here are still mined by hand using traditional methods.

These methods respect the work of local workers and preserve the land after the mining activities have ceased. The sapphire deposit around the town of Ilakaka is probably the largest in the world.

Most sapphires here are found in former riverbeds, 40 to 50 metres below the ground. Groups of men work together, turning the soil with shovels to draw it up from the open pit and uncover the sapphire-rich deposit beneath.

Noel is friend and a mine owner in Ilakaka. We buy many stones from him every day.

Noels mine is located 10 minutes by car from the village. His land used to be farmland, since 2000 its been a sapphire mine.

Today Noel has 20-40 miners working at his mine every day.

The miners work from early morning until the afternoon. They have a 3 hours break at the time of day when it`s the hottest.

Washing

The weekly wash of stones is a time of excitement and anticipation, and it is treated with reverence by everyone at the mine. It has a ceremony and routine unique to each mine and, sometimes, a small prayer is said before the washing starts.The gravel is rinsed in specially made pits or wooden baths, and the gem-bearing material transferred to small baskets for washing. It is washed and rewashed – often in the local river – and the gems pulled out by hand.