AVRARIA

PROJECT ORIGIN

After several years of living and building relationships with local artisans in the Minas Gerais region, we realized that the magnificent gems resulting from their work were unfairly unknown; whether it be the almost legendary Imperial Topaz from Ouro Preto, the Tourmalines with their infinite colors from São José da Safira, the Emeralds from Nova Era with their complex shades of green or the imensely reputated Aquamarines from Santa Maria and Teófilo Otoni

OURO PRETO

Far inland, hundred of miles from the coast of Brazil, the old mines of gold and gems lie among the valleys of Ouro Preto (UNESCO World Heritage since 1980). The city Ouro Preto is a living memory of the first expeditions to find precious metals and minerals during the 17th century. OP was built on a rocky ground 3.000 feet above the sea level; its stone paved streets are winding up and down through steep hills crowned with some of the region’s oldest Rococo Catholic churches. The gold found in the area has a dark appearance generated by a thin layer of iron oxide which gave the city its name Ouro Preto (Black Gold). The city hides some of the very last mines of Imperial Topaz of the world…

NOVA ERA

In the heart of Minas Gerais, Brazil, lies Nova Era, a town steeped in the rich history of emerald extraction. This story begins centuries ago when Portuguese explorers first stumbled upon the lush green valleys of this region. Nova Era's emerald mines are known for producing high-quality emeralds, which are valued for their rich color and clarity. The town's emerald industry provides jobs and economic opportunities for many residents, contributing to the region's prosperity. The extraction process is a delicate balance, respecting the land while harnessing its riches. Each emerald extracted adds to the ongoing story of Nova Era's role in Brazil's gemstone trade.

SÃO JOSÉ DA SAFIRA

The Cruzeiro mine in São José da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil, has a storied history in tourmaline extraction. Renowned for its production of high-quality gemstones, including Paraíba tourmaline, the mine has been a focal point of the gemstone industry for decades. From the depths of the earth, miners unearth treasures of vibrant blues and greens, captivating collectors worldwide. The discovery of Paraíba tourmaline in the 1980s put Cruzeiro mine on the map, showcasing its rich deposits and contributing to Brazil's reputation as a premier source of tourmalines. Today, the mine continues to yield exceptional gemstones, perpetuating its legacy as a cornerstone of Brazil's gemstone trade.

SANTA MARIA

The Cruzeiro mine in São José da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil, has a storied history in tourmaline extraction. Renowned for its production of high-quality gemstones, including Paraíba tourmaline, the mine has been a focal point of the gemstone industry for decades. From the depths of the earth, miners unearth treasures of vibrant blues and greens, captivating collectors worldwide. The discovery of Paraíba tourmaline in the 1980s put Cruzeiro mine on the map, showcasing its rich deposits and contributing to Brazil's reputation as a premier source of tourmalines. Today, the mine continues to yield exceptional gemstones, perpetuating its legacy as a cornerstone of Brazil's gemstone trade.

THE FINEST STONES FROM THE BOWELS OF THE EARTH

Our aim is to only offer our clients the most beautiful gems. The difficulty lies in the capacity to detect the potential of raw and freshly extracted stones. Our partnerships with local workers allow us, thanks to their lifelong experience of these stones, to select the most exceptional findings.

THE JEWEL OF BRAZIL : THE IMPERIAL TOPAZ

STORY & ORIGINS

It is widely assumed that the name «topaze» would originally come from the greek name of the island Zabargad in the Red sea : Topazos. The appelation «Imperial» originates from Russian Tsars who decided to name it this way because of its deep orange colour.

SHAPES & SIZES

Raw imperial topaze are naturally found in linear shape, hence most of the final stones are cut in shapes like pears, ovals or marquises. Final cut gems above 5 carats are quite rare. Final value depends on the combination of many factors quality of the stone and the cut, size, weight and colour.

COLOURS & CLARITY

Imperial topaz range of colors varies from golden to purple. In terms of top rarity and value, cherry red and pink (0.5%) are pretty unique, then would come the deep orange ones. The colour saturation and the lack of any impurities or inclusions will also greatly impact the value of the stones.

CUSTOM REQUESTS

We offer all type of gemstones including:

Imperial Topaz, Blue Topaz, Emeralds, Tourmaline (Green / Watermelon / Paraíba / Bi-Color / Indicolite), Rubellite, Amethyst, Aquamarine and many more...

You can contact us through mail, phone or social networks