Minas Gerais, Brazil | Governador Valadares Gems

Brazil's Governador Valadares mining region is situated on the left (north) bank of the Doce River (Rio Doce Valley) in the eastern part of Minas Gerais. The Escondido and Golconda Mine (lavra de Gol Conda) in Governador Valadares is known for its "Mutuca blue" ("sapphire blue") variety of indicolite tourmaline.

The Golconda mine for its high-quality beryl aquamarine, apatite, tapiolit, and elbaite tourmaline.

The first Portuguese expedition to this region was in 1573. The city of Governador Valadares is approximately 100 km south of Teófilo Otoni.