Minas Gerais, Brazil: Teófilo Otoni Gem Mines

Brazil's Teófilo Otoni mining region in the Rio Marambaia and Rio Santa Cruz river valleys of Padre Paraíso, Minas Gerais contain some of the richest gem-bearing pegmatite in the world. This region is famous for its imperial topaz (topázio Imperial), aquamarine, and pink tourmaline. Major deposits are found in the Mucaia, Ouro Fino, Papamel, Pioneer, Salinas, Serra do Urubu, and Três Barras mines located between Araçuaí and Teófilo Otoni.

The villages of Catugi, Padre Paraíso, and Ponto de Marambaia are at the center of the region, along Route 116 between route 367 to the north and route 409 to the south. The area is located approximately 90 kilometers north of Teófilo Otoni in north-east Minas Gerais. Occurrences of aquamarine and topaz are found in both primary deposits and secondary alluvial and colluvial deposits.

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