Chinese specialists and students are touring mines and gemstone-producing hubs in the states of Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Norte to gain firsthand insight into the origin, production, and processing of some of the world’s most valuable colored gemstones.

On July 24, an expedition comprising 14 Chinese specialists and students from GUILD Gem Laboratories began a 12-day journey through Brazil’s leading gemstone-producing regions. The itinerary includes visits to five mines operated by companies participating in Precious Brazil: Belmont, Empire, Pinkstone, Cruzeiro Mine, and Brazil Paraíba Mine, offering participants an immersive experience into the origins of some of the world’s most sought-after colored gemstones.

Precious Brazil is a sectoral project led by the Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association (IBGM) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), dedicated to promoting Brazilian companies in the gemstones, jewelry, fashion jewelry, and mineral artifacts sectors in international markets. The participation of project member companies in the expedition highlights Brazil’s position as a global reference in colored gemstones while showcasing the quality, transparency, and high level of professionalism that define the country’s gemstone industry.

The visits will provide participants with firsthand experience of gemstone extraction, sorting, processing, and commercialization, allowing them to better understand the origin of materials supplied to major international markets.

The program began in Rio de Janeiro, where the delegation visited some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The group then traveled to Minas Gerais, stopping in Ouro Preto to visit the historic Mina da Passagem and Empire Industries, renowned for its Imperial Topaz. The itinerary continues throughout the week in Itabira with a visit to Belmont Mine, one of the world’s most recognized producers of emeralds.

The expedition will then continue to Governador Valadares and São José da Safira, two of Brazil’s most important tourmaline-producing regions. Participants will visit the operations of Cruzeiro Mine and Pinkstone, as well as the companies’ offices, where they will gain a deeper understanding of the grading, commercialization, and international distribution of these gemstones.

The final stage of the journey will take place in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, with a visit to Brazil Paraíba Mine in Parelhas, a leading producer of the rare Paraíba tourmaline. Recognized for its extraordinary neon blue and neon green hues, this gemstone is considered one of the rarest and most coveted in the international market and stands as one of Brazil’s greatest mineral treasures.

Beyond the technical visits, the expedition aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of Brazil’s gemstone supply chain, bringing them closer to the country’s production processes and the geological characteristics that make Brazil one of the world’s leading sources of colored gemstones. The combination of technical knowledge, field experience, and direct interaction with producers offers a unique perspective on the industry.

By welcoming international specialists to their operations, the companies participating in Precious Brazil are strengthening ties with the Chinese market while reinforcing Brazil’s leadership as a trusted supplier of responsibly sourced colored gemstones to one of the world’s largest consumer markets. The initiative highlights the excellence, traceability, and responsible practices that distinguish Brazil’s gemstone industry, helping to build international confidence and create new opportunities for cooperation and business.

About ApexBrasil

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investments to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. In order to achieve its goals, ApexBrasil carries out several trade promotion initiatives aimed at promoting Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business rounds, support to the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian productive structure, among other business platforms that also aim at strengthening the Brazil brand. The Agency also acts in a coordinated way with public and private players to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil with a focus on strategic sectors for the development of the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.

About IBGM

The Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association is a national, non-profit private entity founded in 1977. Its mission is to represent, integrate, develop, and promote all segments of the gem, jewelry, and fashion jewelry chain. The association works as an advocate for their interests and by promoting knowledge transfer, trust, and appreciation of their products among consumers.

About Precious Brazil

Precious Brazil is a sectoral initiative aimed at supporting and promoting Brazilian companies in the gemstones, jewelry, and fashion jewelry segments in the international market. The project is the result of a partnership between the IBGM – The Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association in partnership with ApexBrasil – Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency . Through trade promotion, market intelligence, and image-building initiatives, the project seeks to strengthen the design, sustainability, and diversity of Brazilian gemstones and jewelry in the world’s leading consumer markets.