Press Release, June 2004

Date: 6/28/04

Location: Minas Gerias, Brazil, SA.

Headline: Legendary Mine Shaft produces unbelievable Stones

Seen here for the first time ever is an 86 gram blue/green Tourmaline stone.  This amazing, museum quality, piece was recently mined in Brazil, S.A. 

Known only to a few locals the legend of the Jewel of Brazil, mine shaft is said to contain specimens of tourmaline of unprecedented quality and and size.  Working a long abandoned shaft, miners pursued this legend with stunning success. 

Several smaller pieces of rough are shown here averaging 10 grams each.  These stunning stones will be cut by the world class Gemologist  Jerry Call. 

The following photos were submitted to the press for immediate release of the first series of stones to be cut and polished from this extraordinary collection of material. (Clicking on the photo will enlarge)

Many of these stones will be available exclusively at the Rio Doce Gem Mine in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, United States.  

To date the largest cut stone is over 23 carats!

For additional information on this amazing find and the available rough or cut stones please contact the Rio Doce at 828.765.2099 or visit their website at RioDoce.com