Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF has warned the trade of sapphires from a new deposit at Bemainty, near the small town of Ambatondrazaka in Madagascar, having a ‘Kashmir-like’ visual appearance.

Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki, SSEF notes that “The sapphires from this new source are characterised by a subtle and fine milkiness, which results in a velvety blue colour typical of top-quality Kashmir sapphires. In recent weeks, SSEF has analysed a significant number of sapphires from this source which were submitted to it by several reliable independent sources.”

Bemainty/Ambatondrazaka is the site of a new gem-rush in Madagascar. Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki, SSEF further noted that, “Unfortunately, many of these new sapphires are accompanied by gemmological reports describing them as being of Kashmir origin. We have recently tested a sizeable number of such ‘Kashmir-like’ sapphires submitted by clients, and ranging in weight from 5 to 50 cts, and concludes that many of these gems of so-called Kashmir origin actually originated from the new deposit near Bemainty/Ambatondrazaka in Madagascar. Our findings are based on meticulous microscopic observations, and also on an array of sophisticated scientific methods, for trace element concentration. The arrival of large quantities of new sapphires of Kashmir-like appearance is challenging for the gem market and gemmological laboratories alike, especially as we know that some of these Madagascar sapphires are being purposely introduced into the gem market with fraudulent claims of historic Kashmir provenance.”