Manandonite

specimen number:
2351060

location:
Tsilaizina, Sahanivotry Manandona, Antsirabe II, Vakinankaratra, Madagascar

description:
Good richly crystallized example for the species, an open pocket approximately 4.0 x 2.0 cm in size is lined with colorless botryoidal crystallized manandonite. Elbaite and albite are present as well. In great condition. Very choice.

The Tsilaizina area, situated in the Sahanivotry and Manandona river valley region of the Antsirabe II District within Madagascar's Vakinankaratra region, is world-famous for its complex lithium-bearing granite pegmatites. Geological processes enriched these granitic intrusions with rare elements like lithium, boron, and aluminum, resulting in unique mineral assemblages hosted in feldspar and quartz matrixes. Artisanal miners and collectors have actively worked these pegmatite deposits since the early 20th century to extract tourmaline gems and rare mineral specimens. The region is notable as the primary locality for manandonite, a very rare lithium-boron phyllosilicate mineral in the serpentine group that was first discovered in the Manandona Valley in 1912. Collector interest in specimens from Tsilaizina remains exceptionally high due to the unusual crystal chemistry and scientific significance of its pegmatitic mineral deposits.

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