Madagascar Beryl
Aquamarine, morganite, and limited emerald production from Madagascar - characteristics and market position.
madagascar aquamarine morganite emerald beryl
Introduction
Madagascar produces significant quantities of beryl varieties, including
aquamarine comparable to Brazilian material and good quality morganite.
Limited but interesting emerald production adds to the island's diverse
gem output.
Aquamarine
Madagascar's fine aquamarine:
Characteristics
- Fine quality blue material
- Comparable to Brazilian aquamarine
- Clean crystals available
- Growing market presence
Colour
- Light to medium blue typical
- Some intense "Santa Maria" type colour
- Slight greenish modifier common
- Heat treatment can improve colour
Quality
- Clarity: Often excellent
- Sizes: Good range available
- Cut: Well-suited to step cuts
- Value: Competitive with Brazil
Aquamarine Treatment
Enhancement considerations:
- Heat treatment: Common; removes green modifier
- Purpose: Produces purer blue colour
- Detection: Difficult to detect
- Disclosure: Variable in trade
- Acceptance: Generally accepted practice
Morganite
Pink beryl production:
Characteristics
- Good colour saturation
- Often requires heat treatment
- Competitive with other sources
- Clean material available
Colour Range
- Pale pink to medium pink
- Some peachy-pink material
- Heat treatment improves colour
- Removes orange/yellow component
Market
- Growing demand for morganite
- Competes with Brazil, Afghanistan
- Good value proposition
- Popular in fashion jewellery
Emerald
Madagascar's limited emerald production:
Characteristics
- Limited but interesting production
- Smaller market share than Colombia/Zambia
- Distinct inclusion characteristics
- Collector interest
Quality
- Variable quality range
- Some fine colour possible
- Different character from Colombian
- Often included (typical for emerald)
Market Position
- Niche production
- Not a major emerald source
- Interest for origin-specific collectors
- Value below Colombian/Zambian comparable quality
Other Beryl
Additional beryl varieties:
Heliodor
- Yellow to golden beryl
- Some fine material
- Limited production
- Collector interest
Goshenite
- Colourless beryl
- Clean crystals available
- Limited gem market demand
- Occasionally seen in jewellery
Market Overview
Madagascar beryl in the trade:
- Aquamarine: Well-established; competitive quality
- Morganite: Growing market share
- Emerald: Niche; collector interest
- Value: Generally competitive pricing
- Quality: Can match Brazilian material