Variety Of Gemstones

Brazil is home to some of the most diverse gemstone varieties in the world: aquamarines, emerald, morganite, chrysoberyls such as alexandrite, tourmalines and diamonds, both white and colored. 

Much of the mining activity is centered around the Minas Gerais region, the third largest state in Brazil. In the 1690s, the Brazilian gold rush was focused on this area, bringing significant awareness and prosperity to the region. This focus remained on gold and diamond deposits until the arrival of German settlers in the 1820s, who began fully developing the gemstone market.

Beryls of the emerald and aquamarine variety were mined and polished in commercial quantities, despite the first emerald deposits of size not emerging until the early 20^th century. Later deposits at Itabira in 1977 and Nova Era in 1988 propelled Brazil to become top three emerald producer worldwide. The Belmont mine emerged as the largest enterprise in the market with over 40 years of production – they retain 50% of the output and cut and polish gemstones locally.