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Mining in Bahia surprises the world! Emerald weighing 69 kg, valued at R$ 1,15 billion, will be disputed: gigantic precious stone, rare and extracted from a Brazilian deposit, arouses the interest of the global market!
An impressive emerald, weighing 69 kilos and estimated at R $ 1,15 billion, will be auctioned on the day December 11, at 11 am, in the city of Salvador, Bahia. Despite the astronomical valuation, the minimum bid amount is R $ million 100, opening up opportunities for high-level investors.
The stone was found in Pindobaçu, known as the “emerald capital”, one of the main gemstone mining regions in the country. Recently, another emerald from the same area was auctioned for R $ million 175, reinforcing Bahia’s mineral wealth.
A natural green giant: 60 cm high, 20 cm wide and 20 cm deep
Known as emerald yoke, the gem impresses not only with its weight, but also with its dimensions: 60 cm height, 20 cm wide e 20 cm deep. The stone, still in its natural state, has not undergone the lapidary process, a common technique that transforms the ore into jewelry, such as rings and necklaces.
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The company responsible for auction highlights that the emerald has certificate of authenticity issued by a GIA accredited gemologist (Gemological Institute of America), in November 2023. However, the object is unsealed, a situation justified by the exceptional weight and size, which would make it impossible to keep the seal intact.
The auction will be conducted in a manner in-person or at Boulevard Side Empresarial, located on Rua Everton Visco, in the Caminho das Árvores neighborhood, in Salvador, in addition to the option of participating online.
Brazil won! Esmeralda Bahia returns to Brazil
Another even more monumental gemstone, the Emerald Bahia with 380 kg, also has a history marked by disputes. Valued at approximately $ 2,3 billion, the stone was extracted from the same mining region in Pindobaçu in the early 2000s and sent to the United States irregularly.
The Attorney General's Office (AGU) identified that the transport was carried out with forged documents and started an international legal battle for the repatriation of the stone. In 2017, the Federal Court of Campinas, in the state of São Paulo, sentenced two businessmen involved in the case, accused of smuggling, use of false documents and receiving stolen goods.
After more than a decade of legal action, the Regional Federal Court of the 3rd Region (TRF3) formally requested the return of the stone to Brazil. In October of this year, the request was accepted by American Justice. Judge Reggie Walton of the District Court of Columbia acknowledged that the gemstone was mined and exported illegally and ordered that the decision be made official by December 6.
Despite the significant progress, the repatriation may still be delayed if there is an appeal by those involved. In the meantime, the Esmeralda Bahia remains in the custody of Los Angeles Police Department, in the state of California.
Mining in the Brazilian Northeast: wealth and challenges
The city of Pindobaçu, in the north of Bahia, stands out as one of the most important emerald mining hubs in Brazil. Known worldwide as a high-quality deposit, the region is the scene of major discoveries of precious stones that move the global market.
However, activities in the area do not always occur regularly, creating legal and social challenges. Cases such as Esmeralda Bahia highlight the need for strict monitoring and greater regulation in the mining sector to prevent the illegal trade of valuable minerals.
Historic opportunity in the gemstone market
The Emerald Auction 69 kg in Salvador represents an important milestone for the Brazilian gemstone market. With a certificate of authenticity and an estimated value of around one billion, the stone promises to attract investors and collectors from all over the world.
Experts believe that the auction could further enhance Bahia's prestige as a global reference in the extraction and trade of emeralds, highlighting the economic potential of local deposits.
Now, the fate of this green relic is about to be decided. The question that remains is: who will be the new owner of this rare jewel of Bahian mining?
Very precious❤️😍🥰