Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
Brazilian gemstones on the rise
Brazil produces much of the world’s gemstone supply with vast reserves in the northeastern part of the country. Increased global demand for colored gemstones has enabled renewed mining activity in one of the world’s most productive mining regions.
On a recent trip to Brazil, I was fortunate to have an opportunity to travel through the eastern state of Minas Gerais visiting various gem mines with a friend who is a well-known Brazilian mining geologist. Minas Gerais or “General Mines” is the largest gemstone mining region in Brazil. It is about the size of California and Florida combined and is a major source of fine aquamarine, tourmaline, topaz, emerald and numerous other gems. The region is experiencing renewed activity due to the tremendous increase in global demand for colored gemstones.
Map of Minas Gerais courtesy of Brazil Travel, www.v-brazil.com
Continued strong demand from the U.S. and EU for aquamarine and emerald and the dramatic increase in demand from China for tourmaline has resulted in less supply and thus higher prices. Environmental concerns brought about new environmental mining laws that forced many Brazilian mines to close until they could afford to adhere to higher environmental standards. Many mines had either halted mining efforts or were on the verge of shutting down when the Chinese market resurrected demand for all colored gemstones. This resurgence may also be partly attributed to increased domestic demand, particularly for Imperial topaz and emerald fueled largely by the success of Brazilian designers and retailers.
Besides enjoying the fabulous beaches, I focused my time in Rio de Janeiro visiting the gem and mineral museums at Amsterdam Sauer and H. Stern. Their extensive collections of mineral specimens and gems combined with exhibits about the history of mining in Brazil are well worth the visit.
Later I flew to Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais to see the many gem dealers in “Belo” as the locals call it. There are numerous buying offices throughout the city, which makes it easy to compare gems and pricing. I chose to stay in an old 1950s business hotel located next to an elegant 19th century Gothic cathedral. Every morning, to my pleasant surprise, I would awake to the morning bells of the Igreja de boa Viagem, “Church of the Good Journey," which made me feel even more confident of my upcoming trek to the mines.
After several days in Belo, I endured a 12-hour bus ride to Governador Valadares to connect with my geologist friend and tour guide to the tourmaline mines nearby.
Our first stop was a commercial mine where gems were recovered from a within
Huge pegmatite near Governador Valadares
In a typical gem-bearing pocket, black tourmaline forms initially on the periphery while the gem-quality red, pink, and green tourmalines crystallize last toward the center of the pocket.
Empty gem pocket in the above mine with remaining black tourmaline
Huge quartz crystal cluster with large box-like feldspar crystal (bottom right)
The next few days were spent driving north to the little mining village of Cruzeiroor “Cross,” which is also the name of a famous tourmaline mine nearby. A prominent golden yellow cross in front of a church above the village gives away the origin of the name. We also came across a couple of miners riding a horse and another on a donkey while talking on his mobile phone. Unfortunately, I couldn’t capture that image but did manage to get a shot of their transportation parked outside a local bar. I see this leapfrogging of traditional landlines in almost all remote gem-producing countries. Such access to technology allows even the miners to communicate with potential buyers, thus contributing to higher prices even at the source.
The village of Cruzeiro “Cross” and local transportation
The Cruzeiro tourmaline mine had been closed for several years before my visit due to the high cost of mining. Only a few weeks before, they were able to re-open the mine thanks to Chinese demand for tourmaline, which now made it economically feasible to mine again. Though the miners had still not hit any gem material while I was there, a few months later they reported uncovering a fine pocket of rubellite.
The author (far right) with miners from the Cruzeiro tourmaline mine
Bluish green tourmaline (22 carats) with a typical Portuguese-style cut
Photo by R. Weldon
The next mine we visited was the Pedeneira tourmaline mine, which is famous for its long, slender pencil-like green tourmaline crystals. The several-hour drive, which took us through a thick forest of ferns, felt like being on another planet. This mine is unusual because the facet value of its crystals is less than its mineral specimens, which are highly sought after by collectors and museums alike. Most of the specimens must be repaired to their original state because they have either broken inside the pocket over millennia of tectonic activity or from blasting. Un-repaired specimens are extremely rare.
Miner pushing an ore cart out of the Pedeneira mine to the sorting area.
A local dealer offering green tourmaline crystals for sale in OuroPreto
Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) Edward Boehm is the owner of RareSource (formerly JOEB Enterprises), a Chattanooga, Tenn.-based gemstone supply and consultancy. RareSource travels to mines worldwide to bring customers the finest quality gemstones. Contact him at edward@raresource.com.
The Latest
Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
The “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
The money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
A new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
From now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
The Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
The 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.
NDC filed a complaint against Skydiamond for use of phrases like “diamonds made entirely from the sky.”
John Carter received the AGS’s highest honor Tuesday afternoon at Conclave in Austin, Texas.
LVMH said the company performed well despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
B&D Sales and Service held a ribbon-cutting event for its new location in Cranston, Rhode Island.
It’s ultra-feminine and filled with gold, pearls, and soft pastels.
Emily Highet Morgan and Emily Bennett have joined the agency’s team.
Its updated book for mountings is also now available.
She has been with the organization since 2010, most recently serving as its chief officer of PR and industry relations.
Joyce’s Jewelry sued the bank after cybercriminals drained its accounts of nearly $1.6 million through a series of wire transfers.