Brazilian alexandrite
Small amounts of alexandrite with distinctive color change and good clarity have been found at Novo Cruzeiro, but current production of chrysoberyl is low.
Locality details
Country	Brazil	
Region	Southeast Region	
Province	Minas Gerais	
Locality	Novo Cruzeiro	
Latitude	-17.4833	
Longitude	-41.8833	
Altitude	2962	
Time zone	UTC-3(-2DT)	
Locality maps
Map	Satellite	
		
The centre of the mining industry is the state of Minas Gerais, named after the large number of gold and precious stone mines discovered in colonial times. Minas Gerais is also Brazil’s main producer of mica, beryl, talc, marble, dolomite, graphite, zirconium, bauxite and nickel. Novo Cruzeiro located in one of the poorest areas of Minas Gerais state in the northeastern region, has a population of 35,000, who live mainly in rural areas. This area was industrialized 30 years ago, but transition areas with rural characteristics persist in the peripheral area of its cities.