Grandidierite, a rare gemstone named after the French explorer Alfred Grandidier, was first discovered in Madagascar in 1902. Its striking blue-green hue, combined with its rarity, makes it highly coveted among collectors and jewelry enthusiasts. Despite its stunning appearance, grandidierite is not commonly found in jewelry due to its scarcity and the challenges involved in cutting and faceting it. Interestingly, grandidierite has a high birefringence, meaning it can split light into two rays, resulting in a unique visual effect known as "pleochroism." In antiquity, grandidierite was likely unknown to most civilizations, given its limited geographical distribution and the technological limitations of gemstone exploration at the time. Today, with modern mining techniques and increased interest in rare gemstones, grandidierite has gained recognition as one of the world's most sought-after and elusive gems.