Colorline is, above all, a human adventure born in the heart of Ilakaka’s red earth, in the south of Madagascar.
It all began in 1998, at a time when Ilakaka was still just a small, remote village—far from the bustling hub it is today. Among friends, driven by a shared dream, we began exploring the soil of this unique region, rich with secrets and treasures buried for millions of years. What were we searching for? Precious stones, yes—but not only that. We were also searching for meaning, for a way of living, of creating, of sharing.
Over the years, this dream became a profession, then an art, and finally a commitment: to reveal the raw beauty of Madagascar while respecting its land, its resources, and above all, its people.
Jewelry born from the earth
At Colorline, we make no compromises: all our stones are locally extracted by hand, by our team. Sapphires, rubies, garnets… each gem we uncover is the result of honest and patient work, deeply rooted in Malagasy soil.
But that’s only the beginning. Each stone is then cut, polished, mounted, and set in our own workshop, right here in Ilakaka. No detours, no outsourcing, no artifices. Just the authenticity of work done with heart, by passionate artisans.
A human and sustainable commitment
We are proud to carry out this work with full respect for local communities and the environment.
Our mine is small-scale, our team is local, and our impact is carefully measured.
Every Colorline jewel is a direct link between the wearer and the deep lands of Madagascar.
More than a jewel, a piece of Madagascar
Wearing a Colorline piece is not just wearing an object of beauty.
It is wearing a story.
The story of a rare and precious island.
The story of its powerful landscapes, deep rivers, and ochre sunsets.
The story of our hands, our craftsmanship, our passion.
It is wearing a piece of Madagascar—carved from stone, shaped by human hands, and offered with love.
Welcome to Colorline.
🌍 Visit Ilakaka: The Sapphire Capital of the World in Southern Madagascar
🪨 What is Ilakaka? A Legendary Village in the Heart of the South
Located in the south of Madagascar, between Fianarantsoa and Toliara, near the iconic Isalo National Park, Ilakakais unlike any other village. Once a quiet, unknown stop on the RN7 highway, Ilakaka boomed in the early 2000s after the discovery of one of the largest sapphire deposits on the planet.
Today, Ilakaka draws in travelers, adventurers, gem lovers and curious minds who want to discover the real face of Madagascar—raw, colorful, and full of life.
💎 Why You Should Visit Ilakaka as a Tourist
More and more travelers are stepping off the beaten path to uncover the hidden gems of Madagascar. Visiting Ilakaka offers a unique, unforgettable experience:
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💎 See real sapphires, straight from the earth
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🧑🏭 Meet local gem cutters and learn their craft
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🚶♂️ Explore an active sapphire mine, safely and with a guide
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💬 Connect with passionate locals and artisans
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🎁 Purchase 100% traceable gemstones directly from the source
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📷 Take home a meaningful, rare souvenir from your journey through Madagascar
🏠 The Colorline Experience: From Mine to Market
At Colorline, we are a family-owned atelier specializing in natural sapphires and handcrafted jewelry, directly sourced from our own mines in Ilakaka.
We invite you to visit us and enjoy:
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A selection of natural, untreated sapphires, in a wide range of colors (blue, pink, violet, green…)
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A behind-the-scenes look at the journey from rough stone to faceted gem
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One-of-a-kind, handmade jewelry crafted on-site
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A mine tour experience (available by reservation only)
🌈 What Makes Our Sapphires Unique
Unlike many gemstones available on the global market, our sapphires are:
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🔍 100% natural, untreated and unheated
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🌱 Responsibly sourced from our own small-scale mining operation
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✋ Hand-cut by our in-house gem cutter
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🌍 Sold directly, with full transparency and no middlemen
Whether you're a gemstone enthusiast, a jeweler, or simply a curious traveler, you’ll leave Colorline with a story-filled stone that connects you to Madagascar’s heart.
📍 How to Get to Ilakaka
Ilakaka is located along Route Nationale 7 (RN7), between Ranohira(gateway to Isalo National Park) and Toliara.
Most travelers stop in Ilakaka during a road trip from Antananarivo to the southwest coast, or after a hike in Isalo Park.
Our atelier is easy to find—just follow the Colorline signs as you enter Ilakaka.
🕘 We are open Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
📞 Mine tours are available by appointment.
📸 What Our Visitors Say
“An unforgettable experience. I saw the sapphire come from the earth, and then turned into a beautiful gemstone. Thank you to the whole team!”
– Camille, traveler from France
“Colorline offers stunning sapphires at fair prices, with real transparency and ethical sourcing. A gem for gem lovers.”
– David, gemstone enthusiast, Switzerland