Editor’s Note
A significant geological discovery has been made at Madagascar’s presidential palace. Officials have announced the find of a 300-kilogram emerald in its matrix, declaring it a national treasure pending expert appraisal.
A block of emerald in its matrix has been found at the presidential palace of Madagascar.
Michaël Randrianirina, the President of the Republic’s Refoundation, referred to it as a national treasure.
The 300-kilogram stone is to undergo expert appraisal.
A genuine “national treasure” has been discovered at the Ambohitsorohitra Presidential Palace in the capital Antananarivo, Madagascar, announced Michaël Randrianirina, President of the Republic’s Refoundation. This treasure is a 300-kilogram block: an emerald, embedded in its matrix (the material surrounding the precious stone).
The enormous stone was located in a secret room of the Malagasy presidential palace, where it is believed to have been concealed since 2009.
stated the President of Madagascar.
This declaration comes just over a month after the military’s seizure of power in Madagascar, following a wave of protests against the former president, Andry Rajoelina, who was ousted.
According to the Minister of Mines, Carl Andriamparany, cited by TV5 Monde, this emerald block is the dream of any collector.
he asserted, adding that never in the country’s history has a discovery of this significance been documented.
The Malagasy authorities plan a technical appraisal of the stone to estimate its real value on the international market, with a view to a potential sale.
Gaëlle SHEEHAN