Madagascar’s military leader unveils a 300 kg gemstone discovered in the presidential palace

The interim president of Madagascar, who took over the island nation in the Indian Ocean last month, revealed a 300 kilogram (661 lb) gemstone that he claimed to have discovered in the presidential house.

On Tuesday night, the dark rock with glistening green crystal streaks was displayed within Antananarivo’s capital’s Ambohitsorohitra State Palace.

To ascertain the size and grade of the emerald embedded therein, the stone called a “emerald in matrix” still requires expert investigation.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina asserted, “This is a national asset,” while standing next to the discovery.

“It might be sold, and it will be up to the minister to explain the procedures that will be followed to increase the state’s revenues,” he stated, pledging “complete transparency” .

“Upon arrival, we discovered this incredible national treasure” and “we do not know why it was brought here” were the only explanations he provided for the location, time, and method of the stone’s discovery.

The gemstone is a collector’s dream, according to Mines Minister Carl Andriamparany. He stated, “An emerald with its natural matrix is rare,” and that authorities have not discovered any evidence of a comparable stone ever recorded in Madagascar.

The state treasury would get the sale’s revenues, according to the administration.