Ilakaka gem deposit, Ilakaka Commune, Ranohira District, Horombe Region, Fianarantsoa Province, Madagascar

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. There is also a third district near Bezaha close to the Onillahy River 118 km southwest of Ilakaka.

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.

- http://www.gggem.com/moreaboutilakaka.htm