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Electronic Auction Takes Place from September 18 to 23, 2025. The Emerald, a Rare Piece from Serra da Carnaíba in Pindobaçu, Is Valued at US$ 374 Million, Over R$ 2 Billion.
Bahia is back in the spotlight of the gem market with the offer of a 241 kg emerald slab. The piece, extracted from Serra da Carnaíba, will be auctioned online with a minimum bid of R$ 105 million. The technical evaluation indicates US$ 374 million, a value that exceeds R$ 2 billion at the current exchange rate, according to the auction organizers and recent reports.
According to Positivo Leilões, responsible for the auction, bids will be accepted online from September 18 to 23, in a single round. The piece measures approximately 90 by 40 centimeters and is deposited in a custody house in São Paulo, available for inspection by appointment for qualified interested parties.
The region of Pindobaçu is a historical reference in the Brazilian emerald production, a factor that enhances the collectability and investment appeal of this large piece. CNN described the lot as one of the largest and most valuable emeralds ever recorded in the country.
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Digital Auction of 241 kg Emerald Slab Has a Starting Bid of R$ 105 Million
The announcement establishes that the auction will be extrajudicial, conducted by official auctioneer Erick Soares Teles, JUCESP 1.197, with bids received exclusively online. The document sets a minimum bid of R$ 105 million and confirms the period from September 18 to 23, starting at 3 PM. To bid, prior registration and qualification on the site are mandatory.
The payment conditions stipulate a 5 percent deposit within 48 hours after the purchase confirmation, with the balance due within 5 business days. The auctioneer’s commission is 5 percent of the sales price. The sale is cash only, and transportation, as well as taxes and fees, are the buyer’s responsibility.
The announcement also provides for the automatic extension of the auction end time if there is a bid in the final three minutes, a common practice to ensure balanced competition among participants. The organization recommends a thorough reading of all documents and authorizes a technical inspection of the piece by professionals trusted by the interested party.
The piece is officially presented as “EMERALD SLAB”, with described composition and physical specifications listed for consultation. Among them, hexagonal crystalline system, hardness of 7.5 to 8 Mohs, and pleochroism from bluish-green to yellowish-green, as well as information that the matrix is composed of dark schist with phlogopite.
Serra da Carnaíba, Pindobaçu: The Origin of Bahian Emeralds
The Serra da Carnaíba, in the municipality of Pindobaçu, northeastern Bahia, houses one of Brazil’s most well-known emerald-producing regions. The provenance is expressly cited in both the journalistic coverage and the official auction documentation, reinforcing the traceability of the lot.
The international interest in Brazilian emeralds is supported by the unique geology of the region, where mineralization occurs in bands of phlogopite associated with metasomatic reactions, creating a favorable environment for the formation of hexagonal crystals of good size and contrast. This characteristic helps explain the appeal of the piece among specialized audiences.
For investors, the Carnaíba provenance adds historical and educational value. In museum collections, the origin narrative often weighs as heavily as objective metrics like weight, dimensions, and the proportion of emerald in the matrix. In this specific case, the technical description supports this interpretation.
Gemological Report and Valuation of US$ 374 Million
The gemological report was signed by Norman Michael Rodi, gemologist graduated from GIA, dated March 20, 2025, with signature renewed on May 14, 2025. The report confirms a weight of 241 kg, dimensions of 90 by 40 centimeters, and origin from Carnaíba, Bahia. The technical evaluation indicates US$ 374 million as the reference value.
The document describes preserved hexagonal crystals, high contrast between shades of emerald green and the dark matrix, as well as variable transparency with purity spots adequate for display. It also estimates that 45 to 50 percent of the mass is composed of emerald within the schist layer, along with detailed physical properties.
It is important to highlight that valuation does not equate to final price. In auctions, the closing value depends on competition among bidders, risk appetite, and the perception of exemplariness of the item. Therefore, the report serves as a technical benchmark for informed decisions, rather than a guarantee of outcome.
To mitigate information asymmetries, the announcement suggests interested parties seek independent analysis from trusted gemologists and pay attention to the full selling conditions. This is a unique asset, of high value, requiring complete diligence before bidding.
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