Gem Hunt: Madagascar Aquamarine Pictures

Gem hunter Ron LeBlanc travels to Madagascar with his 2 most trusted specialists: geologist Bernie Gaboury and jewelry maven Diane Robinson.

Ron negotiates for a parcel of pink sapphires in Madagascar’s market village of Ibitzi.

Diane, Ron and Bernie buy gems from local dealers in Ibitzi. The gem hunters are forced to use all their skill, cunning and guile to outsmart the local gem dealers who are often swindlers.

The gem hunters take a break in the village of Ibitzi.

Bernie and Ron walk the streets of Ibitzi. Local gem dealers know Ron well, and often stop him on the street to try to make a deal.

Diane poses with a Chameleon on the side of the road during their trip from the city of Toliara to the gem mines of Ilakaka.

Ron and his crew travel to the notorious gem mines of Ilakaka to watch workers hunt for gemstones. Finding a large stone is an extreme rarity.

After purchasing pink sapphires in Ibitzi, Ron, Diane and Bernie travel the island of Madagascar in search of the perfect piece of aquamarine.

Ron, a geologist, is a pro at spotting synthetic gemstones.

The gem hunters get more than they bargained for when smugglers and a government agent offer them a $700,000 piece of aquamarine that is about to be whisked out of the country.

Ron holds a large gem after it’s been cut.

Ron has $20,000 to spend on gemstones, which he turns into 17 million Malagasy ariary, the local currency. It’s a black-market country so Ron cuts his deal for cash in an alleyway.

Diane examines a pink sapphire.