Belmont highlighted mining practices, technological innovation, traceability, and sustainability in Brazilian emerald production.

Belmont, a Precious Brazil member company, took part in an international gemological education event with students from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), held on October 21 in New York City. Invited by the institution, the company’s CEO, Marcelo Ribeiro, shared his industry experience and introduced future professionals in the gems and jewelry sector to different aspects of Brazilian emerald production.

Precious Brazil is a sectoral export promotion project carried out by the Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association (IBGM) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), aimed at strengthening the international presence of Brazilian companies in the industry.

Belmont’s participation was part of the GIA Education lecture program, an initiative that connects students with industry professionals and complements academic education with practical experiences and insights into the international market.

From Geological Formation to Underground Mining

During the presentation, Ribeiro took students on a journey through the origins of Brazilian emeralds, drawing on the operations of the Belmont mine, located in Itabira, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The session explored the geological formation of emerald deposits and the technical and operational challenges involved in underground mining, providing participants with insights into the processes that take place before gemstones reach the market.

The lecture also examined the role of technology in production, highlighting advanced emerald sorting systems and traceability mechanisms used to track the origin of gemstones.

Another key topic was the sustainability initiatives integrated into the company’s operations, demonstrating how innovation, geological expertise, and environmental and social responsibility are incorporated into different stages of mining activities.

Brazilian Expertise Connects with the International Market

Beyond the technical presentation, the event provided an opportunity for questions and knowledge exchange, allowing students to deepen their understanding of the emerald supply chain.

Direct engagement with the Brazilian company’s experience helped participants gain a broader understanding of the factors that influence a gemstone’s value and uniqueness, from its geological characteristics to extraction, sorting, and traceability processes.

Internationally recognized for its contributions to gemological research and education, GIA plays an important role in training professionals who will work across different segments of the global gems and jewelry industry. In this context, Belmont’s participation provided an opportunity to introduce Brazilian expertise to a new generation of specialists.

The initiative reinforces the contribution of Brazilian companies to sharing technical knowledge and advancing responsible practices within the industry, while strengthening connections between Brazil’s mining sector and the international gemological community.

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.