Brazilian Emeralds
EMERALD
Brazil (South America)
Gemstone Marketing Trade Term: "Brazilian"
Geography: Schist-Hosted (High-Iron)
Crystal Structure: Hexagonal
Composition: Beryl (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈) + Chromium, Vanadium, Iron trace elements
Beryl is typically colorless. The Trace Elements render certain colors in the mineral.
The Chromium and Vanadium elements work together to give off radiant greens. Iron creates blue and yellow colors in Beryl; or secondary colors in an otherwise Green Emerald. High amounts of Iron create the blues and yellows seen in Aquamarine and Heliodor, which are also a variety of Beryl.
Here is the church of Saint Francis of Paola in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil (100mi southwest of where the Belmont mine is located.) Colombia and Brazil share similar geography.
Brazilian Emeralds were discovered around 1970. Since, they have become one of the most important sources for Emerald. The Belmont mine is the largest mine in Brazil.
It began using open-pit mining to extract Emerald rough. It has expanded so much, that it now incorporates ramp mining as well.
Belmont Emerald Mine Tunnels (Schist) Brazil (discovered in 1978)
3D modeling like CAD/CAM and advanced technology is utilized to increase production and sort Emerald rough on-site. Brazil, like Zambia, works hard at maintaining the land and rainforest environment. As they mine, they also cultivate the various plant species that were removed from the area. This reforestation allows them to restore the land to its original state or better. Even the water used to wash and sort ore is decanted and reclaimed.
Inclusions & Clarity Characteristics
Emeralds from Brazil contain many blocky two-phase inclusions (fluid and gas) along the c-axis of the crystal. These are the most prominent inclusions. Yet, most all schist-hosted Emeralds typically contain them, which is why more evidence is necessary to determine origin.
With that said, these Emeralds also contain many crystals. Some of these are Chromite, Fluorite, Quartz, Pyrite, and Magnesite crystals. The combination of these inclusions can determine origin of the gem.
Blocky (liquid/ gas) two-phase inclusions
Two-phase inclusions and chromite crystals
If the Emerald is free of inclusions, the gemstone should be submitted to GIA for a chemical analysis with further instruments for testing origin and clarity enhancements. Emeralds are classified as type III in clarity, meaning it commonly forms with inclusions. These characteristics can identify where the mineral was mined.
Some sellers are dishonest and have been known to submit an Emerald to GIA without any Clarity Enhancements. They can treat them after the fact and sell them without disclosure; fraudulently using the GIA report as confirmation.
