Tom Dougherty with sapphire mine
owner Jean Noel, in Ilakaka

Patrons of the LA County Natural History Museum

The large Banc Suisse mine in Ilakaka

Debbie from Devon Fine Jewelry selecting from a gem dealer at our own private showing with many cut and rough dealers attending.

Naomi Sarna and Roger Dery eating one of the amazing desserts from the Hotel Colbert Pattisere

Jim looks at a stone that has just been mined

Jim and sapphire merchant in Ilakaka

A small 10 meter sapphire mine in Ilakaka

The pool at our hotel of choice in Diego Suarez

Handing out school supplies to local children (just one of the development efforts we and our clients sponser in Mada)

Virtually 100% of Malagasy boys are circumcised. This old photo hangs in the Sakamanga Hotel lobby.  Look at the boy's face. His Grandfather or Uncle must eat the foreskin with a banana to ensure the continued virility of the family. This tradition continues even today.