Indri Indri - the largest known lemur - sits on a tree in Andasibe, Madagascar. The endangered species is found nowhere else, and conservationists believe it could be threatened by the encroachment of sapphire mines in its territory.
Under pressure —
Indri Indri - the largest known lemur - sits on a tree in Andasibe, Madagascar. The endangered species is found nowhere else, and conservationists believe it could be threatened by the encroachment of sapphire mines in its territory.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Miners at work in a sapphire mine in the region of Didy in the natural reserve Ankeniheny-Zahamena. In a country where over 70% of the population earn less than $1.90 a day, the mining industry has a powerful allure.
Striking it rich? —
Miners at work in a sapphire mine in the region of Didy in the natural reserve Ankeniheny-Zahamena. In a country where over 70% of the population earn less than $1.90 a day, the mining industry has a powerful allure.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Miners use small-scale artisanal techniques to recover the stones. Approximately 50,000 miners have descended upon a new site in Ankeniheny-Zahamena.
Ancient techniques —
Miners use small-scale artisanal techniques to recover the stones. Approximately 50,000 miners have descended upon a new site in Ankeniheny-Zahamena.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Madagascar has been a major producer of sapphires since they were first discovered on the island in the 1990s.
New player —
Madagascar has been a major producer of sapphires since they were first discovered on the island in the 1990s.
GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A man shows a sapphire and a ruby at the sapphire mine in Ankeniheny-Zahamena. Stones have been recovered that have been mistaken for Kashmiri sapphires - regarded as the finest in the world.
Top of the range —
A man shows a sapphire and a ruby at the sapphire mine in Ankeniheny-Zahamena. Stones have been recovered that have been mistaken for Kashmiri sapphires - regarded as the finest in the world.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Two Malagasy men mine for gems at an informal Sapphire mine on on the outskirts of Sakaraha, south-western Madagascar.
Underground movement —
Two Malagasy men mine for gems at an informal Sapphire mine on on the outskirts of Sakaraha, south-western Madagascar.
GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The new rush has yielded more valuable stones than the town of Ilakaka (pictured), the previous heartland of Madagascar's sapphire industry.
New hub —
The new rush has yielded more valuable stones than the town of Ilakaka (pictured), the previous heartland of Madagascar's sapphire industry.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The sapphire is part of the conundrum family and comes in a variety of colors including violet, green, orange, pink and blue. <br /><br />Some of the finest are found in Kashmir, India, with African sources including Nigeria and Madagascar, becoming the leading sources today.
Many faces —
The sapphire is part of the conundrum family and comes in a variety of colors including violet, green, orange, pink and blue.

Some of the finest are found in Kashmir, India, with African sources including Nigeria and Madagascar, becoming the leading sources today.
Courtesy Robert Weldon /GIA
Sapphires are perennial favorites of the rich and famous, including the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton.
Fashion icon —
Sapphires are perennial favorites of the rich and famous, including the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images