Field Gemology in Northern Madagascar

During FEVP06 field expedition to Madagascar at the end of Sept 2017 we visited the sapphire deposits near Ambondromifehy in Northern Madagascar in order to collect some reference samples for the "Bahrain Institute for Pearls & Gemstones (DANAT)".
As usual we started by the market in order to see which stones were available around and collect some information about the different producing site. Then we went to visit some of them in order to collect samples on site, at the mines, from the miners in order to add them to DANAT reference collection.
With this short video, field gemologist Vincent Pardieu shares few tips about the way he does his field expeditions.
Enjoy!

[@GSCannon]

Thank you for sharing with us!

[@NabozThom]

I would love to go for a trip like that with you. I'll be there one day. I'm planning allready my first trip - to the teardrop of India.. All the best, as usually - great video!

[@unpopuIaropinion]

thank you for travelling us! Keep making more of those videos please, and make longer if possible :)

[@VincentPardieuFieldGemology]

Well, these videos are very expensive to do... and I'm not selling them. Just releasing them for free on KZbin for everybody to see and learn. Sorry but I just cannot afford to make them longer.

[@Dean-eu2pl]

Great Video! Really like the vibe of it.

[@supernatureza]

I love this guy

[@yunusprofessionalgemologist]

Excellent information thank you sir

[@supernatureza]

going to leave the like......💕 good video✨

[@supernatureza]

Very good brother

[@gemstudiowang2937]

Thank you for replying Vincent. As for the locality of the blue chalcedony, how far is it from Ambondromifehy? You mentioned the place in the video, but I couldn’t hear the name very well. Thanks!

[@VincentPardieuFieldGemology]

Hello Catharina. I do believe it is very remote. I was told that it is about 2 days traveling from Ambondromifehy on very bad roads. I don't know the exact name of the place. All the best,

[@georgehui7970]

I am curious about the stone appeared round 2:30 in the video? What kind of material is that? Carnelian or something else? Also is there a full version of the video available? Thanks

[@VincentPardieuFieldGemology]

It is blue chalcedony. This is the full version of the documentary. :-)

[@eagleeye6986]

Vincent what's that portable light you are using like a torch to see inside the stone.

[@VincentPardieuFieldGemology]

I use two types of torch: a normal torch light and a "dark field loupe".

[@justmeonthebeach]

Good

[@gemstudiowang2937]

Can somebody please tell me what stone is at 2:48?

[@VincentPardieuFieldGemology]

It is blue chalcedony.

[@okaroon1028]

What city name?

[@VincentPardieuFieldGemology]

This is around Ambondromifehy, near Diego (Antisiranana)