This sapphire deposit was the first to be mechanically mined in Madagascar. Its discovery caused a rush of several tens of thousands of miners because of its exceptional quality, it acquired the reputation of equaling the quality of that of Kashmir, the famous "Corn Flower Blue". This historic discovery marked the start of other discoveries of exceptional sapphires in Madagascar such as the Ilakaka deposit, and those on the east coast. As a result, Madagascar has become the main sapphire supplier on the world market!
