Sapphirine
Sapphirine
Sapphirine

Sapphirine

€220,00
SKU: A755
Nawatara, Amboasary Sud District, Anosy, Madagascar
Arguably the world's best sapphirine crystals currently come from southern Madagascar. These black crystals are characterized by sharp edges and attractively textured surfaces. They are embedded in the matrix with white anorthosite, which provides an attractive contrast to the crystals and the dark matrix of biotite, anorthosite, and sillimanite. First unveiled in Tucson in 2024, these pieces often command four-figure prices on the market. As a result, asking prices are also very high in Madagascar. Since no good crystals have been found for months, operations at the mine have been suspended. A smaller, slightly thicker sapphirine crystal on matrix without any significant damage.
4.6 x 4.0 x 2.5 cm
57.4 g

Sapphirine is a magnesium-aluminium silicate and is therefore not related to sapphire/corundum. The name was chosen in 1790 by the discoverer of the mineral because of its blue color and hexagonal crystals. Sapphirine is quite hard (Mohs=7.5), brittle and has a monoclinic crystal structure. In addition to blue tones, greenish or gray/black color nuances also occur.