Brazilian EmeraldThe emerald is one of the most ancient precious stones. It was discovered the Egypt desert about

5,000 years ago. The deposits were known throughout the world as "Cleopatra's mines", as the

Egyptian queen deeply loved the stone. Its name originates from the Greek smaragdos, which means

"green stone “

The emerald is considered the fifth

most expensive stone in the world, only

losing to the diamond, the ruby, the

alexandrite and the sapphire.

Angelina JolieEmerald earrings

and ring

     Colombus would have to be credited with the renaissance of

the emerald in the new world. Had he not discovered the Americas,

the new and abundant source might never have come to the

attention of Europe’s wealthy gem lovers. South American Indian

tribes highly revered and sought out the green crystals many

centuries before western man walked their shores

Geo Emerald

Brazil is the world’s largest

producer of colored gemstones, more than half the world’s colored gems

are mined in this country .

Topaz

Blue Brazilian Aquamarine

Earings

Brazil counts as a gemmological province

because of the variety of gem minerals present in the

country. Most Brazilian states and territories

produce gemstones, the State of Minas Gerais being

the most important producer both in volume and in

number of species. Diamonds are chiefly

derived by panning from alluvial deposits in Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso and

Goiás. Among other gemstones, the most

important are aquamarines, beryls, chrysoberyls, topazes, amethysts,

tourmalines, emeralds and agates, and their respective

varieties. The occurrences of these gemstones, as well as of a great number of others, are described for each state

in which they are found.

A  gemstone is a mineral that is prized for its beauty, due to its rarity, color, luster,

brilliance, transparency and hardness. The basic considerations of a fine gemstone are

color, cut, clarity and carat weight

Amethyst

Brazilian Cut Stones

Ruby, Sapphire & Brazil Emerald

Music:

Brazilian popular Chorinho

Citrine gem

Tree with Brazilian Gems