HISTORICAL NEWS

In 1547 Captain Jean Fonteneau said he had found a precious stone, probably from alluvial deposits.

In 1888 the pegmatite district around Mount Bity (S of Antsirabe) was discovered by Mr. Bing.

In 1893 Mr. Gautier reported fragments of rubellite and other tourmalines from the Betafo region pegmatite bodies.

Mr. Vuillerme began commerce in lapidary material but not gemstones.

The first regular shipment of gemstone began in 1904, and controls over the trade were established in 1907.

Most of the gemstones were shipped to France and the rest to Germany and Switzerland.

The quality of beryl tends to be much higher than that from other countries.