Madagascar interim prez finds huge 300 kg gemstone in presidential palace, here's what he plans to do next

Madagascar's interim president Colonel Michael Randrianirina has unveiled a 300 kg (661 lb) gemstone that he said had been found in the presidential palace.

Randrianirina, who seized power in the Indian Ocean island nation last month, described the gemstone as "emerald in matrix".

The dark boulder, streaked with shimmering green crystal, was displayed inside the Ambohitsorohitra State Palace in the capital Antananarivo on Tuesday evening. "This is a national asset," said interim leader Randrianirina, as he stood beside the gemstone.However, the gemstone needs expert analysis to determine the size and quality of the emerald embedded within.


He expressed his intention to sell the gemstone to fund the state revenues.

"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," Colonel said, promising "complete transparency".The government said proceeds from a sale would go into the state treasury.

But, the leader gave no details on how, when and where the stone was found in the palace, other than saying "upon arrival, we discovered this incredible national treasure" and "we do not know why it was brought here".

Madagascar's Mines Minister Carl Andriamparany termed the gemstone rare and a collector's dream. "An emerald with its natural matrix is rare," he said, adding that officials have found no record of a similar stone ever documented in Madagascar.

(With inputs from Reuters)