Brazil has become one of the world’s top three most important sources of emeralds

Currently emeralds are mined in the states of Ceará, Bahia, Goiás, and Minas Gerais. Brazil also produces important beryl varieties in addition to emeralds.

According to Sinkankas (1981): “In respect to gem beryls, Minas Gerais is the world’s most important producer, surpassing all other countries both in terms of the largest production sustained over several centuries and in quality (with the notable exception of pink beryls, the finest of which stem from Madagascar).”

Since the 1970s, Brazil has served as one of the few consistent sources of gem-quality emeralds in the world. Brazilian emeralds for a long time had perceptions of being lower quality, often referred to as green beryl until certification by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) in 1963 as emeralds. Emerald quality is not determined by source, but the individual gem.

Colombia does supply the majority of all gem-quality emeralds on the world market, but the quality of emeralds they produce is a range. Some are so heavily included they are green rocks, and some are so clear that they go to auction. The range is applicable to every emerald source, though the percentages of emeralds that can be used in jewelry varies between them, and varies year to year. This is because the amount of time between large discoveries can be years.

With that being said, Brazil is capable of producing emeralds of equal or better quality than Colombia. Again, it depends on the individual gem. As an average evaluation of everything they export, Brazilian emeralds tend to be lighter in tone and saturation than Colombian emeralds.

Brazilian Emeralds (Vanadium-Rich): Colored primarily by vanadium. This results in a lighter body tone, a brighter appearance, and an unmistakable yellowish or grayish tint. However, premium mines in Minas Gerais can produce deep, darker green stones that closely mimic Colombian quality.