Amethyst Mining in Brazil

Brazil is currently the leader in overall production of amethyst. This article describes the author's visits to three of Brazil’s most important mining areas: Marabá, Pau d’Arco, and Rio Grande do Sul. Each represents a different geologic environment and, therefore, a variety of mining methods are used. In Marabá and Rio Grande do Sul, much of the amethyst is heat treated to become citrine.