Crystals from Brazil

The Minas Gerais gold rush of the early 18th century revealed the wealth beneath Brazil: diamonds first, then topaz, aquamarine and tourmaline. Further south, Rio Grande do Sul is famous for its agates and amethyst geodes, some taller than a person. As early as the 19th century, German emigrants were shipping these agates to the cutters of Idar-Oberstein, who made them their speciality.

Brazil also made the name of several pink stones: Minas Gerais rose quartz, and morganite, named in the early 20th century in honour of the banker J. P. Morgan.

With more than twenty of our bracelet stones linked to its deposits, Brazil is the most represented country on the map. Commercial citrine there is often heated amethyst: an old and common practice that produces those honey or orange tones. Rainbow tourmaline, on the other hand, is naturally varied: no two beads are alike.