Grandidierite
Forbes Magazine places Grandidierite at No. 3 in its list of the most expensive gemstones and it will often feature near the top if you google, 'rarest gemstones'.
Grandidierite is pricey and it is rare but with a bit of searching and a bit of haggling there are some real bargains to be found in this delicious looking gemstone.
Grandidierite Colors
Grandidierite is a blue-green gemstone which is probably best described as 'teal'. Any example which steers more towards blue is even more rare and therefore more expensive. The color is the result of the presence of iron.
Faceted Grandidierite gemstones can appear to change color as they are turned from one angle to another, displaying dark blue-green, blue, colorless, yellow and green colors in a phenomenon known as pleochroism.
Read more about gemstones colors here
Grandidierite Species
Grandidierite is a rarely found mineral that was first discovered in 1902 in Madagascar and since then a very few other locations around the world. It is a silicate made up of mostly magnesium, aluminum and boron with iron deposits creating the color.
If the mineral itself is considered quite rare, transparent or translucent examples good enough to be turned into gemstones are rarer still.
What are the spiritual benefits of Grandidierite?
Being an uncommon and relatively recently discovered gemstone, Grandidierite has not built up much of a reputation for its healing or spiritual powers however it has strengths through its color and mineral ingredients.
Benefits include:
- A Great Meditation Stone
- Helps Decision Making
- Improves Relationships
- Boosts Immune System
See our detailed article on gemstone meaning and uses
Grandidierite and the Chakras
The Chakras are centers of spiritual power situated around the body in specific locations. Each Chakra point has a name and an associated color. Gemstones of a similar color can be used to unblock or realign a troubled Chakra.
With is green-blue teal color, Grandidierite can be linked to two Chakras – the Heart and the Throat. Placing a Grandidierite gemstone on the center of the chest or the small of the throat can directly influence these Chakras.
Find more details on Chakra gemstones here
Grandidierite Price
Like most gemstones, the first thing to affect the price of Grandidierite is the color. All Grandidierites must be a shade of blue-green to hold any real value and the more blue the color the more expensive they will become.
Once the color is established we have clarity. A clear, flawless Grandidierite with a nice teal tone will be a very expensive gemstone indeed. More translucent examples with the right coloring can still be impressive gemstones, especially when shaped into cabochons with flat bottoms and rounded tops.
Carat Weight
Grandidierite gemstones get more expensive per carat in various ways:
- Bluer gemstones are rarer than green stones
- Clear examples are harder to find than translucent gems
- Large carat weights come in more limited quantities than smaller stones.
Add these factors together and we can come up with a rough price guide:
- Clear gems under 1 carat - $30 - $300 per carat
- Clear gems 1 - 10 carat - $40 - $1200 per carat
- Clear gems over 10 carat - $40 - $2000 per carat
- Translucent gems under 1 carat - $20 - $250 per carat
- Translucent gems 1 - 10 carat - $25 - $300 per carat
- Translucent gems over 10 carat - $30 - $500 per carat
For more details please refer to our full Grandidierite Info page here
Treatments
Grandidierite is not usually enhanced by treatments other than the cutting and polishing into gorgeous gemstones.
Grandidierite History
For a gemstone, Grandidierite has a very recent history, it was discovered by French mineralogist, Alfred Lacroix in Madagascar in 1902 who named it after compatriot and namesake, Alfred Grandidier.
Grandidier wrote 38 books on the flora, fauna and geology of Madagascar and also has a mountain, 4 plants and a species of baobab tree named after him.
Where is Grandidierite found?
Basically, the only gemstone quality Grandidierite is mined in Madagascar although some have been found recently in Sri Lanka but only very small carat sizes have been produced so far.
What jewelry is Grandidierite suitable for?
Grandidierite is rated at 7.5 on Mohs hardness scale which makes it durable enough to be used in all types of jewelry, even daily wear items.
Grandidierite is a rare and special gemstone with a color that is not often seen in jewelry. A flawless example would make an exceptional piece of jewelry while the more translucent examples can make very interesting pendants and rings.
