An alluvial gem gravel deposit discovered 1998. One of the largest sapphire deposits in the world. It is located on the route national 7 going to Tulear, in the Horombe region in the southwestern part of Madagascar.
A large number of new gem deposits of the same character has also been discovered in the area around Ilakaka and further southwest in the Sakaraha area (see
http://www.mindat.org/loc-45924.html). There is also a third district near Bezaha close to the Onillahy River 118 km southwest of Ilakaka.(see
http://www.mindat.org/loc-217183.html)
NOTe: the name "Ilakaka" in the litterature refers not only to the Ilakaka deposit, but also sometimes to the whole gem deposit area.
References
- Schmetzer, K.(1999): Rubine und verschiedenfarbige Saphire aus Ilakaka, Madagaskar. Lapis 24(6), 46-47.
- Schmetzer, K., Glas, M. & Bernhardt, H-J. (2002): Sterngranate aus Madagaskar. Lapis 27 (2), 20-27
- Hogg, Jonny (2007): Madagascar's sapphire rush. BBC News, 17 November 2007.
- Giuliani, G., Fallick, A., Rakotondrazafy, M., Ohnenstetter, D., Andriamamonjy, A., Ralantoarison, T., Rakotosamizanany, S., Razanatseheno, M., Offant, Y., Garnier, V., Dunaigre, C., Schwarz, D., Mercier, A., Ratrimo, V., and Ralison, B. (2007): Oxygen isotope systematics of gem corundum deposits in Madagascar: relevance for their geological origin. Mineralium Deposita 42, 251-270.
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http://www.gggem.com/moreaboutilakaka.htm
Mineral List
13 entries listed. 8 valid minerals.
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